I sent this letter out today to my family and friends–everyone that I want to include in my test (the world!). This is an example of what you might use if you are on this years UBBT team as a public declaration of your goals. Post it here, e-mail it, share it on Facebook. Get the word out to as …
UBBT – preparing for start date
I must have spoken some words, taken some steps, to sign on for the Ultimate Black Belt Test. How did that happen? I just got here! The short answer is that I am intrigued by the physical, mental, and spiritual challenge it presents and the potential transformation. On one level it is the least likely thing that I would do–make …
UBBT Journal 1: Why?
The closer December first gets, the more overwhelmed I feel. What did I commit to?! Can I really do this?! The real question is why should I do this. What first attracted me to the challenge is the intensity. Lately I’ve felt unbalanced in my own body. The weight I carry is heavy on my thin bones so it is …
UBBT 2011 Team Requirements
I sent this out today the the students, parents, and affiliates of our school that have already committed to being on this year’s team. I know that some others of you have expressed interest in taking on this challenge but are still on the fence. That’s ok. We only have 4 spots open (I’m only allowed to include 10 people …
UBBT- Death and Rebirth
The Ultimate Black Belt Challenge is some strenuous requirements: 50,000 push-ups 50,000 sit-ups 1,000 miles via running/walking/biking/swimming 1,000 kata repetitions 1,000 Acts of Kindness 15 minutes of daily meditation 10 short films 10 books focused on personal development or martial arts 3 Personal Goals 1 weekly online journal 1 Community Service Project Wow oh wow! Crazy as those are, I …
The Fitness “First Step”, and Finding a Baseline
Regular fitness efforts have been particularly challenging for me,nmost especially as an adult and parent with a lot of responsibilitiesnas well as a history of sedentary ways. The recent classes and Mr.nOliver’s black-belt test journey have given me inspiration to get back in gearnonce again (the week of “squats of doom” was the first signal). Sincenstarting at the dojo in …
Kicking Butt
Lately, I’ve been meeting a lot of new people at work. Word got out that I ‘do karate’ so people have been asking about it. They start with 1 of 2 questions: What belt are you? Or You could probably kick my butt huh? These 2 questions have made me appreciate our dojo so very much. Mr. Oliver doesn’t focus …
Okinawa – The Real Fountain of Youth?
“At seventy you are but a child, at eighty you are merely a youth, and at ninety if the ancestors invite you into heaven, ask them to wait until you are one hundred… and then you might consider it.” This ancient Okinawan proverb rests on a stone marker in Ogimi, a small village typical of Northern Okinawa. This phrase could …
“Karate-Do My Way of Life” by Gichin Funakoshi.
A few weeks ago, I borrowed a book from Mr. Oliver called, “Karate-Do My Way of Life” by Gichin Funakoshi. There are several chapters or stories within the book that I enjoyed reading. However, I’d like to just write a brief summary here discussing one of my favorite chapters from the book. Specifically, I’d like to discuss rule #2 of …
Karate kids to ‘Trick-or-treat’ for donations benefiting Sacramento Food Bank
Karate kids to ‘Trick-or-treat’ for donations benefiting Sacramento Food Bank Special Thanks to Valley Community Newspapers This Halloween if you are responding to the throngs of children seeking a candy hand-out, you might want to be prepared for what karate kids from Zen Martial Arts in Sacramento will be asking for this year. The students are teaming up with the …