In ancient times, warriors known as the Samurai protected the ruling nobles in Japan.  These warriors dedicated their entire lives to developing the skills that would keep them alive in battle. Since the most advanced weapons of their time were swords, spears and arrows, their lives depended on great skill. 
Just as important was the ability to stay calm and focused even under tremendous pressure.  A warrior could possess amazing physical skills, but crumble the first time they face an opponent with a three foot sword that is as sharp as a razor, where just one mistake meant certain death.  So, in addition to physical skills, the Samurai trained to develop their minds and control their “spirit” or emotions to have the best chance of survival on the battlefield.  This included three important principles of mental and emotional development known as Mushin, Zanshin, and Fudoshin. 
    Mushin means clear or “empty” mind.  This is not to be confused with an absent mind.  

The next round of ‘Advanced Concepts’ clinics at ZenQuest have been scheduled. These are slated as follows:
 
·   Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu -- Saturday, March 29 (Blue Belt and up)
·   Sityodtong Muay Thai -- Saturday, May 3 (2-Stripe Prajiet and up)
·   Uechi-Ryu Karate -- Saturday, June 7 (Brown Belt/Nikyu and up)
 
These will all begin at 1:15 PM and last about 90 minutes. Students ranked appropriately are encouraged to attend if possible. ZenQuest’s Advanced Concepts clinics are a great opportunity for eligible students to learn and practice advanced techniques and strategies in their respective art. ZenQuest’s AC clinics are provided to enrolled students at no extra cost. So, join us if you can!

Martial arts training can be one of the most rewarding experiences in our lives. It can up our physical and mental fitness, lower our stress levels, and improve the overall quality of our lives. It can also positively impact the lives of those around us in different ways. However, there can be challenges along the way that can derail our entire martial arts journey.
When we talk about these challenges we might think of injuries, illness, frustration with our progress, or getting too busy in our lives. These are certainly things we need to deal with and minimize, but some of the things that can end our martial arts journey can be a bit more hidden. Below are some examples of these for students and parents to be mindful of.

​Attendance  Success in the martial arts begins with managing our attendance properly. This means setting a regular training schedule for ourselves and sticking to it. For children ages 8 to 12 we recommend two or three classes each week. One or two classes per week are recommended for kids ages 4 to 7. Less than this may result in them getting discouraged because of slow progress, and more will likely result in them getting burned out over time. For 

As of mid January, there may be times when the front desk is unattended. Unfortunately, this means that students may need to check themselves in more frequently. As you probably know, there is an attendance sheet available on the desk for students to do that. Parents of younger students will probably have to check them in. The head instructors will check the attendance sheets at the end of the day, but taking an active role in helping with this will be greatly appreciated.
In cases where someone is not at the desk and help is needed with tuition or equipment, a button is available on the right side of the front desk that will ring a bell when pressed. This will notify the instructors that assistance is needed and they will be there to help before long. In a worst case scenario, a short trip down the hallway to flag down an instructor in the training rooms will do the trick. We do have a camera in the front room, but are unable to monitor it while busy in the training rooms, etc.
We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter, and apologize for any inconvenience.

On Saturday, January 11th we held an ‘Advanced Concepts’ clinic for Uechi-Ryu Karate. After some discussion about issues in training and teaching, the group focused on a set of partner drills known as ‘Yakusoku Kumite Daini.’ These are designed to help advanced students in understanding applications of Uechi-Ryu strategies for sparring and self-defense. Some of the students also worked on advanced Kata.
Closing out this round of AC seminars, we hosted a Muay Thai clinic on Saturday, February 1st. This one started with some talk about optimizing movement with timing, distancing, and rhythm. Then we focused on counter strategies for common attacks including Jabs, Crosses, Teeps, and Round Kicks. The session concluded with some well-earned promotions including: Chalice Mitchell to 4-Stripe Prajiet, Carlo Petrucci to Purple Prajiet, Glen Giumarra to 1-Stripe Purple Prajiet, Matt Moreau to 2-Stripe Purple Prajiet, and Jennifer Sommerville to 3-Stripe Purple Prajiet.
ZenQuest’s AC clinics are provided to its advanced students at no additional cost. Congratulations to all promoted!

Starting a new year is a great time to get some ideas for making some improvements in our lives. Many of us commit to resolutions for doing better in different areas like diet and nutrition, physical fitness, stress and anxiety, bad habits, and of course...progress in the martial arts!
But let’s be honest, sticking to these commitments can be tough. Studies show that many resolutions are lost and forgotten by February. Don’t worry, though! With the right approach, we can make real progress towards our goals. Here are some tips for success:
 
1. Set Realistic Goals It’s great to dream big, but our resolutions should also be realistic. Instead of saying, “I’ll never eat junk food again,” try, “I’ll eat more fruits and vegetables every day.” Setting smaller, achievable goals makes it easier to stay on track and feel good about our progress.
2. Be Specific Vague goals like “I want to get more fit” or “I want to get better at Kickboxing” can be hard to follow. Instead, be specific about what you want to do. For example, say, “I will exercise for 30 minutes three times a week” or “I will make a routine of 3 classes a week.” Well defined goals are easier to achieve because then we know exactly what to do to make them happen.
3. Write It Down Writing our resolutions on paper or in a journal makes them feel more real. Put a list somewhere that you’ll see often, like on the fridge or phone. This will remind us of our goals and keep us motivated.
4. Break It Down Big goals can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller steps. For example, if our goal is to run a 5K, start by walking or jogging a mile. Then gradually increase the distance. Small steps add up to big changes. In terms of the martial arts, we can focus on individual techniques and strategies that are challenging or required for our next stripe or belt.
5. Track Your Progress Keep track of how you’re doing. You can use a notebook, an app, or even a calendar. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Tracking progress shows you how far you’ve come and keeps you motivated.
6. Stay Flexible Life happens, and plans change. If life gets in the way and you miss a day, week, or month don’t give up! Adjust your goals if needed and keep going. Return to your routine when you can. Remember, progress is more important than perfection.
7. Look For Support Tell friends or family about your resolutions. If they’re good friends they will cheer you on and help you stay committed. You might even find a buddy or family member with similar goals. Working together can make it more fun and consistent.
8. Reward Yourself Give ourself a reward when you reach a milestone. It could be a fun activity, a small treat, or a relaxing break. Rewards make the journey enjoyable and give you something to look forward to in the short term.
9. Focus on Why It Matters Remind yourself why your resolution is important. Maybe you want to be healthier, feel happier, or save for something special. Keeping our “why” in mind will help us stay motivated, even when it gets hard.
 
So, remember, the new year is a chance to grow and improve our lives! By setting realistic goals, staying flexible, staying positive, and celebrating our progress, we can make our resolutions work. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about doing our best and achieving our goals. Happy New Year!

On Saturday, December 7th we kicked off our latest round of ‘Advanced Concepts’ clinics with a presentation for Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu. For this one we focused on strategies from a position called 'Deep Half-Guard.' Several students earned promotions including: Levi Giumarra - 3 stripe yellow/white belt, Todd Dort - 3 stripe blue belt, Chalice Mitchell and Jennifer Somerville - purple belt, Chris Kupernik - 2 stripe purple belt, Glenn Giumarra and Russell Moody - 3 stripe purple belt, and Mike Reis - brown belt. Congratulations to everyone!
Additional clinics are scheduled as follows:
 
· Uechi-Ryu Karate (Brown Belt and above) -- Saturday, January 11
· Sityodtong Muay Thai (for 2-Stripe White Prajiet and above) -- Saturday, February 1
 
These are a great opportunity for our intermediate and advanced students to learn and practice advanced techniques and strategies in their respective art(s). All are scheduled to begin at 1:15 PM and each last about 90 minutes. ZenQuest’s AC clinics are provided to enrolled students at no additional cost. All eligible students or those receiving special invitation are encouraged to attend!

Shop small this holiday season and choose a gift from ZenQuest for your favorite student. We have a variety of gift ideas including custom uniforms, training shirts, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, gear bags, hats….and brand new bracelets!
Here is a list of some of the custom gifts you can get:
ZQ Bracelets - $3
Black Belt Bear - $15
Small Patches - $9
Large Patches - $14
ZQ Beenie Caps - $28
ZQ Baseball Caps - $28
ZQ T-Shirts - $29
ZQ Hoodies - $50
ZQ Gear Bags - $28
ZQ Duffle Bags - $45
ZQ Karate Uniforms - $80
ZQ Jiu-jitsu Uniforms - $170
ZQ Training Shorts - $48
ZQ Rashguards (Short sleeve) - $52
ZQ Rashguards (Long sleeve) - $60
 
Students and parents can also order a wide variety of training gear and equipment including training and sparring gear, targets, and punching bags for home.  If you’re not sure what to get, or something needs to be ordered a gift certificate is a great way to go. This can be purchased at the ZenQuest desk, or online in $25 increments at www.zenquestmac.com.
So, grab one of these stocking stuffers for the martial artist in your life and enjoy the holidays!

Occasionally, the weather will become intense enough during the winter months to present a serious travel risk for our students and instructors.  This can result from a single, severe weather event happening at the time of classes; or from an accumulation of events leading up to the time of classes.  Other indicators can be other major organizational closings and local travel advisories. 
If it appears that travel will be too risky during class times, the school will close for that time. When that happens we send out notices by email and text, and post information on our social media and website. We also try to put a message on the ZenQuest phone at 413-637-0656.
If you don’t currently receive these notices by email, send a message to [email protected]. If you would receive notices via text message, simply send the word ZENTEXT to 413-352-0678.  Drive carefully!

Seven grapplers from Team ZenQuest competed in the 2024 ‘Tap Cancer Out BJJ Open’ tournament on Saturday, November 16th. The annual event is a fundraiser for cancer research and treatment. Over the last eight years the organization has raised millions for multiple nonprofit beneficiaries.
Team ‘Z’ for this one included: Maria Mohan, Chris Boyle, Philippe Peligrad, Shawn Chambers, Carlo Petrucci, Chris Kupernik, and Mike Reis. Everyone fought well, and four came home with some nice hardware. Congratulations to Maria and Chris K. for earning silver medals; and to Mike and Shawn for earning bronze in their respective divisions!
Additionally, thanks to all of those who showed to support the team, and those who helped prepare the competitors in the team sparring sessions. Lastly, thank you to everyone who was able to make a monetary contribution to this worthy cause! Together we raised over $6,000!!