Sho-Shin In his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, the Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki writes: In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki Approach your karate, and really any opportunity to learn, as a “curious fool”. The Zen concept, “beginner’s mind”...

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and all USRKUSA Deshi – The Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo in Minnesota held an end-of-term testing and promotion event on Monday, June 2nd, 2025. We were supported by our Ueshiro Northfield dojo community in spirit and in actuality, as we held the test during...

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and all Deshi of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate! Visitors from across the system joined the Northfield and Carleton dojo last weekend to celebrate Minnesota in May 2025! Led by Kyoshi Mackay, we had a full weekend of training, fellowship, and Black Belt testing. To perhaps...

The following is an excerpt of Sensei Hatle’s message to the USRK mailing list from a couple weeks ago: Our Minnesota in May event will begin Friday evening, May 16th and wrap up early Sunday afternoon, May 18th with a full weekend of karate training. All workouts will be...

Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Kyoshi, and all Deshi! The Ueshiro Northfield and Ueshiro Carleton dojo recently held our combined winter testing. Our Saturday session began at the Carleton dojo with Sempai David Huyck leading us through warm-ups, and Sensei Guy Lawrence taking the group through basics. Sensei Steve Hatle then led the...

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and Deshi of USRKUSA – Today I share the terrible news of the loss of Sempai Sylvester Huyck of the Ueshiro Northfield dojo in Minnesota. Sylvester (they/them) passed away suddenly on February 14, 2025, of natural causes. They were 16 years old.  Many of...

At the Florida event this past weekend, our upcoming Minnesota in May event was officially announced to the USRK organization. On May 16, 17, and 18, the Ueshiro Northfield Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo of Minnesota, together with our Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo, will host karate practitioners from across our system...

This past weekend, USRK USA held its annual all-ranks gathering in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and the surrounding area. Our Minnesota dojo sent a delegation of seven to participate in training, research, and friendship with members of dojo from around the country and across the world. We bonded with our...

It is always a special moment when my Sensei says, “Let’s learn a new kata.” It happened for me just this past weekend, and over eight years into my training, it is still a thrill. While I know that there is always more to learn within the kata I...

Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Kyoshi, and all Deshi – The Ueshiro Northfield and Ueshiro Carleton dojo recently held a joint fall tip-test at Carleton’s Cowling Gymnasium. The session opened with Sempai David Huyck running through warm-ups, kihon, and basics. The class then proceeded to several performances of Fukyugata Ichi, starting...