Sacramento Martial Arts and Karate

All Journal Entries (393)

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 on belts. He emphasizes character, technique and practical application. Zen Martial Arts is not ranks, trophies, or where we stand when we line up. We're not Cobra Ki… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on November 4, 2010 at 2:00am — 1 Comment

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 very well typify the mindset and vigour of the Okinawan people, especially when considering the…

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Added by Mike Oliver on November 3, 2010 at 2:30pm — 1 Comment

"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 the six rules set by Master Funakoshi for karate students to…

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Added by Teng Yang on November 2, 2010 at 11:30am — 3 Comments

Karate kids to ‘Trick-or-treat’ for donations benefiting Sacramento Food Bank

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Added by Mike Oliver on October 26, 2010 at 10:33am — No Comments

Sacramento Karate Kid Collects over 1000 Diapers for Families in Need

In a quest to earn her Little Dragon Black Belt, Naomi demonstrated compassion and leadership by undertaking a considerable community service project--collect diapers for women and children in need. All collected packages were sent to Wellspring Women's Center where they were distributed to families in… Continue

Added by Mike Oliver on October 23, 2010 at 10:54pm — No Comments

Something New

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." ~ Ronald Ostrom

The quote above reflect my current sentiments. For too long, I was in a rut and didn't even know it! Life's patterns started to become stale, routine, boring... I lost a few very important things because I took them for granted. I didn't appreciate them for what they were. Hindsight can't get them back.

It is up to me to cherish the things I still have though. My… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on September 30, 2010 at 10:31am — No Comments

Karate Kid's Journey to Green-Belt Begins with Kindness

By BENN HODAPP / Valley Community Newspapers writer…

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Added by Mike Oliver on September 29, 2010 at 10:22am — No Comments

The C Word

A few months back a friend posed a question. I was sharing my excitement about a potential camping trip. It was to be a weekend backpacking trip somewhere local. Backpacking is something I have never done and wondered about.

In the natural flow of conversation, my friend asked me in a serious, doubt-filled voice, "Yes, but can you do it?"

That one question planted a seed of doubt in my own mind. I considered it on my own for quite a while. The more I thought about it the more… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on September 27, 2010 at 11:00am — No Comments

Little Dragon diaper drive - diapers delivered!

Little Dragon Naomi Piper-Pell delivered 1,173 diapers to Wellspring Women and Children's Center today as part of her Little Dragon Black Belt Project. Naomi also volunteered several times at Wellspring and held a car wash to raise money to buy diapers. A hearty thanks is due to everyone who made donations or otherwise assisted Naomi with her project!

Added by Chris Piper on September 21, 2010 at 2:13pm — 4 Comments

Mental vs Physical

Today in class Mr. Oliver described karate as 90% mental and 10% physical.

How many times have I made it easier on my body physically because my mind it necessary? It's as simple as relaxing a horse stance during star blocks kata, or not bending as deeply in the last squat, or throwing a punch at half power to "save energy" for the next one, or passing the medicine ball in an arch instead of a straight chest pass. Yes, I've been slacking, cutting corners, easing up, or however you want… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on September 14, 2010 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Video: Kristoffer Inspires over 325 Acts of Kindness in Sacramento

Kristoffer is a student at Zen Martial Arts. In order to test for their green belt, every student must perform a community leadership project. Kristoffer chose to do inspire 100 acts of kindness. He is just one of many Sacramento karate kids that are acting as leaders in your… Continue

Added by Mike Oliver on September 10, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

Little Dragon diaper drive

Little Dragon Naomi Piper-Pell is currently holding a diaper drive for Wellspring Women and Children's Center as part of her black belt project. Wellspring is a safe and welcoming place for women and children in need to receive meals and essential services each weekday.

Please bring packages of disposable diapers, any size, during any of Mr. Oliver's karate classes and the items will be forwarded to Naomi's family for delivery to… Continue

Added by Chris Piper on September 2, 2010 at 1:20pm — 4 Comments

242 Acts of Kindness and Counting!

Thanks everyone and keep them coming!

Added by Carmel Brown (Kristoffer) on August 31, 2010 at 6:52pm — No Comments

Tiny Tiger Class is Here

As our Martial Arts school in East Sacramento has continued to grow, I frequently heard requests to teach younger students--4 and 5 year olds. For years I had taught these ages at my teacher's school in Auburn and I am pleased to say that we are now offering classes designed just for this age group at Zen Martial Arts in Sacramento!

The Tiny Tigers karate class… Continue

Added by Mike Oliver on August 31, 2010 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

What does karate mean?

Mr. Oliver often asks the Little Dragon class. The translation is empty hand. That's only one meaning though.

I was talking to someone the other day about what karate meant to her. She was trying out some dojos in the Sacramento area since she moved her recently from the bay area. She liked karate because it stimulated her mind and body. Admittedly, she was pretty hard core during warm up exercises. Her discipline showed through too.

That was a few weeks ago and it got me to… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on August 27, 2010 at 8:56pm — No Comments

Local Boy Tackles 100 Acts of Kindness for His Green Belt

Local boy demonstrates that the martial arts are about much more than punching and kicking by taking on a city-wide “acts of kindness” project

Sacramento, CA Aug 21, 2010 – Kristoffer Brown, a 9 year old Sacramento resident, has been studying the martial arts for 14 months now. Five months ago he…

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Added by Mike Oliver on August 23, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

THANK YOU!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who has been sending in their acts of kindness already!! We are already over 100 and its been less than a week!!

Added by Carmel Brown (Kristoffer) on August 23, 2010 at 10:06am — 1 Comment

Verbal Judo Founder Comments on our Work

Verbal Judo founder George Thompson developed Verbal Judo years ago as a way for police officers to deal with verbal insults and assaults as well as getting voluntary compliance without getting physical. With the help of 'Doc' Thompson and other Verbal Judo instructors we have incorporated these same lessons into our martial arts curriculum. Many of your kids have already had great success in using these techniques to deal with bullying.

Here's a short message from Doc explaining why… Continue

Added by Mike Oliver on August 22, 2010 at 12:26am — No Comments

Help Me Do 100+ Acts of Kindness!

Our son Kristoffer has taken on a "100+ Acts of Kindness" community service project in preparation for his green belt test in Sensei Oliver's Junior Karate Class. With each person committing to 10 acts each, he hopes to achieve "way more" than 100 acts of kindness and make a global impact with our extended family and friends here in the U.S. and in other countries. If you can help out, that would be great! Attached is his letter and a form you can use to log your acts of kindness. Thanks for…

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Added by Carmel Brown (Kristoffer) on August 20, 2010 at 5:29pm — 8 Comments

States of Awareness

Its a nice, easy walk from my house to the dojo. A scant 10-15 minutes of peaceful exercise through the well landscaped UC Davis Med Center. This little exercise has been wonderful. The time allows me to release the day, warms the legs up for seiza, think over the week's lesson and generally prepare for the class ahead. Mr. Oliver's recent journal on the colors of awareness has made me walk this regular route a little differently.

A casual observer may have been deceived into thinking… Continue

Added by Lisa Clark on August 11, 2010 at 2:18pm — No Comments