We're making some adjustments to the class schedule to accommodate current trends in attendance.  Beginning next Monday, September 21st the following adjustments will take affect:

*  A class for Jr. Tigers and Tigers Karate students (ages 4-1/2 to 8-1/2) will be added on Wednesday evenings at 5:00 PM.  The existing Saturday 'Tigers' children's Karate class is being discontinued for the time being.
*   A Pythons Jiu-jitsu class (ages 6-1/2 to 12-1/2) will be added on Friday evenings at 4:15 PM.
*   The existing Saturday 'Pythons' children's Jiu-jitsu class will shift from 9:15 AM to 9:00 AM and be held in the front room (rather than the back room.) 
*   An additional Muay Thai class (ages 12 and up) is being added on Saturdays at 9:15 AM. We will still also offer our 11:45 AM class.

A complete schedule can be seen and printed at this LINK.  Please contact us with any questions and let us know if you would like to change any class reservations.  

The coronavirus situation has been difficult for everyone in different ways.  For those who become infected, the consequences can range from asymptomatic and unaffected to very ill and devastated.  Those of us who are not infected by the virus are faced with a variety of inconveniences.  These are things like quarantines, wearing masks, restricted travel, or being unable to enjoy our favorite restaurant or sports events. 
Aside from the somewhat obvious, there can be some more hidden effects for many of us as the situation drags on.  Not the least of these are the way that the pandemic effects us mentally and emotionally.  Many people are now having to deal with the consequences of a long period of reduced activities and socialization, boredom, and fear.  All of this can leave us struggling with increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression and even PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  They are also prone to something called COVID fatigue or ZOOM fatigue.  This is the ‘burnout’ we can experience from the long term consequences related to the pandemic. 
Now, more than ever, is a good time to commit to martial arts training.  Practicing martial arts has all of the benefits of other fitness activities but tends to reduce our stress, anxiety, and depression more.  There are several reasons for this.  First, intense physical exercise stimulates body chemistry to make us healthier and happier.    Punching, kicking, and throwing things also tends to purge stress by venting our frustrations and addressing the ’fight-or-flight’ instincts triggered under stress.  But just as importantly, martial arts training typically includes a regular practice of focus, calmness and stability.  Regular training in this mindful physical activity is designed to help us extend these crucial traits into every aspect of our lives.
All of these aspects of martial arts practice can have a synergistic effect and make a huge difference in how we process the world and react to the things that happen from day to day.  Even as the crazy ‘rollercoaster’ of 2020 plays out, we can stay calm, focused and happy.  We can avoid emotional crashes and the feeling of helplessness.
All of the classes at ZenQuest include mindful activity that will reduce stress and help students ‘stay up’ in their mental and emotional state.  Even with the restrictions on training that are required at this time, classes are continuing to provide this essential training.  In fact, some aspects of the current class modifications require a heightened sense of mindfulness and provide new perspective on a student’s chosen art.  
So, as Sensei Toshio Higa used to say, “please continue” your training through this challenging time.  If you’ve thought about training in the past but haven't actually started, do yourself a favor and consider doing so now.  Learn to ‘stay up’ in your life!

With ‘back-to-school’ now upon us and the fall season around the corner, parents normally sort out their children’s activities for this time.  But, this year brings uncharted territory and uncertainty for many parents and kids.  With continuing concerns about the Coronavirus, many school systems are starting the year with some or all learning via remote learning.  This is expected to possibly continue until there is a vaccine and/or cure for the virus and experts are predicting that this will likely take months. 
With these remote learning or hybrid models children are faced with struggling with excess screen-time and greatly reduced activity levels.  In view of this new reality, having kids get out for in-person activities in a very controlled environment will be more important than ever.  With strict safety precautions in place, children CAN reap the benefits of physical activity and socialization.
ZenQuest is prepared to strike a balance between safety and activity for kids during this time.  With social distancing, face coverings, temperature checks, limited class sizes and durations, controlled foot traffic, positive ventilation, extensive cleaning and sanitizing, and appropriate activities, we are confident that we can provide our children’s classes while also minimizing risks.  We believe that kids can have some relief from the unique challenges they’re faced with in the coming months and are prepared to help.  For a full listing of the safety measures being used at ZenQuest please visit our website at www.zenquestmac.com. 
Please contact us ASAP if you plan on having your children attend classes during this time.  Class reservations are on a ‘first come first served’ basis.  Due to controlled class sizes there is limited space available in our children’s classes at this time.  We are looking at adjustments to the schedule to accommodate as many students as possible.  Let us know if you have any questions or concerns in this matter.  As always thanks for your continuing understanding and support.

With limitations on class sizes and several classes full or nearly full at ZenQuest, we are looking at ways to accommodate as many students as possible.  We’ve already made some adjustments to the class schedule and are planning on more of these based on current trends in enrollment.  At present, the most space available is in our younger children’s Karate classes (Tigers, Jr. Tigers and Cranes) and Teen level Karate classes (Cobras.)  There is also plenty of space in our “Martial Arts Strength’ or strength and conditioning classes. 
Depending on how class attendance plays out over the next few weeks, we will add classes and possibly temporarily convert weaker classes to accommodate the overflow from others. 
We are also considering a reconfiguration of the training space at ZenQuest for this purpose.  For some time now, we have thought about converting the space in the ‘fitness room’ to additional mat space.  Doing this now would allow us to increase the limits on some classes.
Stay tuned for these adjustments over the coming weeks. 

With our first month of training in the books we’re happy to say that things are going well and attendance at ZenQuest is good under the circumstances.  Classes have been modified and several safety measures are in place, but many students are training and learning again.  In these uncertain and challenging times having the ability to enjoy some physical and mental exercise, and continue to train can be crucial to our overall health and well being. 
As long as we follow intelligent strategies to minimize our risks, we can make that work.  Our current safety measures include social distancing, temperature checks, face coverings, limited class sizes and durations, controlled foot traffic, positive ventilation, extensive cleaning and sanitizing, and activities appropriate to the situation.  We also closely monitor the coronavirus cases in the area (which are extremely low), and require students feeling ill or returning to the area after travelling to refrain from attending classes until they are safe.
Each of our classes have been modified to fit the current situation.  Each martial art offered presents unique challenges specific to the way it’s usually practiced.  So, right now our Uechi-Ryu Karate classes consist of individual drills like calisthenics, hojo undo, kata practice, and ‘virtual’ two-person exercises.  Our Jiu-jitsu classes consist of calisthenics and conditioning, various fundamental drills, and work with ‘grappling dummies’ including throws, escapes, positioning and submissions.  For Muay Thai we are focusing on general conditioning, variations of shadow boxing, individual drills, and combinations on punching bags.  We’re mostly doing ‘bodyweight exercises in our Strength & Conditioning classes, and our MMA trainings consist of roadwork and general conditioning.
Although it is a bit more challenging to train under these conditions, many people are content to train differently rather than not train at all.  This requires a mental shift to accept a new type of training, in spite of possibly training a certain way for many years.  Staying optimistic and focusing on the positive aspects of things is also key in making that work.  Once we have a positive outlook and accept the new challenge, the rest is easy, and training and learning can continue. 
In reality, there are many good things about training differently in your chosen martial art.  Being more isolated in class provides the opportunity to focus more on the techniques and strategies of our art.  Learning to perform well in ‘virtual’ partner drills, and working with targets or dummies allows us to explore the moves without concern about any risk to a partner.  Even having to follow multiple safety measures requires us to be more mindful about how we’re doing things, which is one of the most important life skills that we can learn.  In the end, being taken out of our ‘comfort zone’ and learning to adapt is amazing mental training.
As of now, we are waiting for the Governor’s office to provide more information and guidance on the duration of this initial phase and details on what follows.  Of course, we will keep you up to date as more information becomes available.  For now, we are just happy that we can continue to provide classes and see people enjoy the training that they love. 

With the current restrictions we are required to follow, it is important that all students stay mindful of a few things to keep things running as smoothly as possible.  First, knowing and following all of the safety precautions is crucial to the safety of everyone.  This includes arriving for each class 5 to 10 minutes prior to it’s start.  After a temperature check, shoes must be carried to the ’fitness room’ and placed on one of the shoe racks.  Next, sanitizer must be applied to hands and feet at the training room entry door, then students should proceed to a ‘social distancing’ spot in the room for their class.  Water bottles and spare masks can be placed at a corner of their space.  Once the class is finished, students can gather their belongings and exit the training room in order  to pick up their shoes.  Shoes should be put on near the exit door, then the student may proceed to the playground area and walk to the front of the building.  Parents should be ready to receive their children at that time.  
Transactions for tuition or gear can be made in the front area, but making payments online or over the phone is preferred.  Since, instructors are signing students in it is VERY important that students or parents pay close attention to when their tuition payments are due.  In some cases reminders may be sent by email if needed since normal reminders are not available to students and parents at this time.    
Since classes are currently limited in size it is also very important that students and parents keep their class reservations up to date.  Many classes are at capacity at this time with waiting lists for other students to join.  If a student can no longer attend a class that they had reserved, they should notify the instructors ASAP.  Students who miss three classes in a row will be assumed to have made a schedule change and adjusted accordingly.
Please call 413-637-0656 or contact us via email at train@zenquestmac.com with any questions or adjustments.   Thanks!

With the return to our 'in-person' classes, we have adopted a routine of intense cleaning and disinfecting in the gym.  Training room mats and surfaces are disinfected after each class.  Similarly, common area floors and surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis.  Positive ventilation and the use of a dehumidifier helps keep the environment fresh and dry, too. 
  Students are also required to keep their own gear clean and follow all safety precautions.  Many of these are designed to keep the dojo as clean as possible.
In addition, a professional cleaning service is used at the beginning of each week.  Our own Stephen Tremble of ’Priority Cleaning’ uses a fogger to disinfect the entire facility on top of all of the other cleaning rituals currently in place.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts in helping with the new cleaning routines.  Please remember that bringing your own sanitizing wipes to use is very helpful, as these tend to be in short supply lately.  As always, thanks for your support!

After 15 weeks of quarantines, ZenQuest has resumed it’s ‘in-person’ classes as of Monday, July 6th.  As you probably know, regular classes were suspended on March 16 in compliance with orders from Massachusetts Governor Baker’s office. Since then, we’ve been in ’uncharted territory’ providing virtual classes and instructional videos online, waiting for the day when we could start to return to normal.  Now, because Massachusetts has done such a great job of getting the situation under control, we have been given the go ahead to finally reopen.
In an abundance of caution, reopening is being done with several safety measures in place.  Although the commonwealth has managed the situation well up to this point, we all must do our part in continuing the current trend.  So, our reopening will be done in four phases with the most intense safety measures in effect at first.  These will gradually be relaxed with each of the following phases.
Our Phase I safety measures include one way traffic through the building as much as possible.  Parents are required to drop off youth students and additional seating is provided outside in the playground area.  Indoor waiting areas, locker rooms and the fitness room are off limits in this initial Phase.  Students should arrive in their training attire, and are subjected to ‘no touch’ temperature checks upon entering the building.  They are also required to sanitize hands and feet before entering training rooms.  We are encouraging online, phone-in, or automatic payments as an additional precaution.  Of course, students should wait to rejoin if they have at-risks family members at home, or think that they may be feeling ill. 
Class sizes are limited to eight at this time so it is very important that students make reservations and notify us on which classes they will be attending.  To properly ‘social distance’ students are given assigned areas in their classes.  Classes are focusing on instruction and individual exercises and drills, with no partner training.  Portions of classes will consist of video presentations of drills, sparring, history and information appropriate to each martial art and age group.  We are also using ‘grappling dummies’ for Jiu-jitsu    and punching bags for Muay Thai classes in the early stages of reopening.  Some fun new children's games are being played based on social distancing. 
We have arranged for plenty of positive ventilation using a combination of window fans in the training rooms to pull air out, and other windows and doors strategically opened.  We are also using a ’fresh air exchange’ system installed in the building during class times now as well. 
Face coverings are required for everyone in Phase I.  ZenQuest is supplying custom ’Ninja’ masks at no charge while supplies last.  These ‘Gaiter’ style coverings are made of a Lycra material which balance protection with enabling the wearer to breathe during activity.  Class intensities are at a level that works with face coverings while their use is in effect.  This, too, will be relaxed in succeeding phases. 
Mats, surfaces, and equipment are all being disinfected before each class and at the end of each day.  Class durations are slightly shorter to allow for cleaning and drying between classes.  A professional cleaning service is also be used at the end of each week to disinfect the entire facility.  
As of now, we are waiting for the Governor’s office to provide more information and guidance on the duration of this initial phase and details on what follows.  We will provide more information as it becomes available.  For now, we are just happy that we can reopen and continue providing the best facility, instruction, and training environment possible. 
The effects of COVID19 have been difficult for everyone.  But, with the threat of the virus gradually subsiding in the northeast we can begin to look forward to gradually getting back to a more normal life and the activities that we love.  With some caution and intelligent strategies we are confident that we WILL return to normal while staying as safe as possible. 
For more information on our Phase I safety measures, visit our website at www.zenquestmac.com.  We appreciate your continued support and hope to see you in training again soon!

To commemorate surviving the crazy challenges of 2020 we have created a unique version of our  ZenQuest t-shirts. These are high-quality ’cobalt’ colored t-shirts with the front the same as usual, but the back says "I helped ZenQuest survive COVID19."  These will only be offered once, so get them while you can.
The shirts are partly a fundraiser for the gym/dojo and available to everyone.  To help with recovery from the COVID19 quarantines, these are offered at $30 each.  Anyone who maintained their membership through the quarantines can pick them up at a discounted price of $15 each. They are available in sizes YS through 3XL.
We will be taking orders for these from now until August 1st.  To order, simply call, email, or message us with your sizes and arrange for payment.
Thanks for your continued support!

As we reopen and transition back to our normal 'in-person' classes following the quarantines, we will put less emphasis on providing virtual classes and videos online.  This was an amazing way to help students continue their training remotely during an unprecedented time.  However, at this point we need to focus our energies on providing six days of regular classes...PLUS all of the new safety measures and cleaning required by the commonwealth.
We will provide a limited number of virtual classes for a short time by ’live streaming’ our in-person classes.  These can be accessed via our special Facebook group called ‘RTS’ or Remote Training Support.  Please look for email announcements for the dates and times of those classes.  Eligible students can go to the group via the Facebook ZenQuest page and submit a request to join in if they don’t already have access.  For information on access please refer to the article entitled ’Enrollment Alternatives’ on page 2.  There are also many videos available on ZenQuest’s website and YouTube channel.   
An alternative to consider going forward are virtual or in-person private lessons.  Some students have already taken advantage of this alternative to in-person training with great success.  This is a great way to enjoy customized instruction at a pace and focus that works for the individual student while social distancing.
We will revisit providing virtual classes in the future shall the need arise.  For assistance with our virtual classes or gaining access please contact us at 413-637-0656 or train@zenquestmac.com.  Thanks again for your support!​