Saturday karate class and son’s soccer game After regular Saturday class today, I left a bit earlier than normal (I usually stay for the weapons class) so I could attend my son’s soccer game. I had not attended one this year before today as I have been so focused and busy working on my karate […]
Today I am sitting at the dojo as a parent. I am watching my son practicing the same art as me. That is the great thing of our Zen Martial Arts dojo. It is a place for the whole family. In this safe environment my son is learning self-defense and martial arts. In addition, he […]
Written by Dirk Herfurth
Last week we did not do our usual Sunday sparring. My son and me went to the Capitol Airshow instead. A whole day of watching airplanes, which is our annual thing here in Sacramento’s fall. In Germany airshows like this are not possible as the safety regulations are too strict. So, naturally, I especially enjoy […]
Written by Dirk Herfurth
A slight cold, some other ailments but got to keep training! Last week my son came home with a bad cold (not COVID). He was down and out for 2 days. This morning my wife said she had a sore throat and was in bed with a fever. Yesterday (Saturday) I felt a bit of […]
Written by David Brezinski
Break at Huntington Lake! For the past ~15 years I have had a small group of friends come up to Huntington lake and our family cabin for a week of rest & relaxation in early fall (usually late Sept, early Oct). This last trip was excellent; was able to rest my mind and body, while […]
Written by David Brezinski
Update on my Black Belt Project. As you know I am organizing a fundraiser and walk during the “Making Strides of Sacramento” breast cancer event on October, 16th. Currently, as I am writing this blog entry, the Zen Martial Arts Striders are on 6th position of the top donation teams out of 216 participating teams. […]
Written by Dirk Herfurth
Sunday sparring time with David-san. Meeting time is 10AM sharp. We go a few rounds, practice some kata and theorize about world politics. The latter is done over some coffee after our morning routine, which is a nice relaxing habit we have established for the end of the week. By the way this is another […]
Written by Dirk Herfurth
Strained calf muscle, pushups and rain = harmony Hmmm, another interpretation of three conflicts. Sunday AM while sparring I felt my calf muscle (right leg) start to seize up. By afternoon I felt a very deep throbbing and my calf was sore to the touch. I very much wanted to get out for a run, […]
Written by David Brezinski
Sunday sparring, coffee and football – My 2022 fall routine I love this time of year. Fall! There is a briskness in the morning air, the leaves are starting to change color and it is football season. Dirk-san and I have gotten into a Sunday AM sparring and coffee afterward routine, which is great and […]
Written by David Brezinski
Sanchin (三戦) – Three Conflicts One thing I am learning over the years I have been training in karate is I have just really scratched the surface. The depth of our own Isshinryu codes and the dimensions of possible interpretations seem endless. And these codes in turn have many layers to them, having been derived […]
Written by David Brezinski