Not just the destination; it is the journey! A friend of mine is planning to run his first marathon. Interestingly enough, not more than a year ago this same friend was overweight and expressed concern about his lack of energy. It has been wonderful to see him shed many pounds, tone up and have a […]
Martial Arts Open Tournament – No medals but a good experience! Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a tournament in West Sacramento with a group of others representing our dojo. Well represented we were! I only participated in one event, being kata. I was assigned to the same group as sensei Oliver and […]
My Black Belt Community Project – Stop Soldier Suicide! Dear Zen Martial Arts Family, For my black belt community project, I have selected something very deeply personal. Please let me explain. I served in the U.S. Army, 1st Special Operations Command, 112th Signal (AIRBORNE) in the mid 1980’s. I am a veteran and am grateful […]
Zen Martial Arts Striders walk and Sunday sparring time! My Sunday got off to an early but very active start! This morning I ran from my home over to the state capital to join Dirk-san and his walking team to participate in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event! I know […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
