​Marcelo Fraguas was back in the house on Tuesday, June 6.  Coach or “Professor” Marcelo, who goes by the nickname "Manga", is one of Demian Maia’s top instructors in the world, and runs his own affiliate academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  He traveled to the Berkshires with Coaches Connie and Mark to provide an amazing seminar after helping Demian at the 2017 DMJJ Affiliate training in Los Angeles. 
The clinic provided over twenty students with material from Master Maia’s branch of the BJJ tree.  Included in the three hours of hands-on training were strategies for the “turtle”, “half-guard”, and “Back Mount” positions.  Manga’s unique blend of world class Jiu-jitsu, effective presentation, and comedy left all of the participants better prepared for their adventures on the mat.
     In early 2011, Manga was the first of Demian’s instructors to visit ZenQuest.  In addition to introducing the school to Demian’s wizardry, part of Manga’s original visit was to evaluate ZenQuest for affiliation.  Manga immediately loved the school and gave a glowing review to confirm ZenQuest as an official addition to the DMJJ group.
     Big thanks to everyone who made it to the training, and special thanks to Professor Manga for an incredible workshop!
 

Coaches Connie and Mark recently spent five days in “SoCal” with Demian Maia for the 2017 DMJJ affiliate training.  This year’s training was hosted by Demian’s newest affiliate, Villain’s Jiu-jitsu in Los Angeles.  The trip was filled with incredible training with the world champion and number one welterweight contender in the UFC.
As usual, the affiliation training consisted of reviewing a variety of Jiu-jitsu strategies to insure consistency among Demian’s instructors.  Sometimes this requires adjustments to existing strategies based on the Master’s experience.  The instructors were also given new guidelines for Blue Belt promotions in Demian’s affiliate schools.  These include technical requirements in self-defense material, ground strategies, history of the art, and sparring/rolling. 
In addition, Maia provided a seminar covering the evolution of some of the incredible strategies he has developed for both the cage and the mats.  Also, the affiliate group got to attend the IBJJF World Championships with Demian.  Since he is considered a hero among many of the superstars in the art, the group had some amazing access at the event and got to meet a laundry-list of famous characters there.  (Some examples below.)
The ZenQuest instructors learned a lot on this trip, and were awarded Level II Instructor Certifications by Demian at the conclusion of the training.  Thanks to Professors Maia and Manga, Villains Jiu-jitsu, Flavio Scorsato, and all of the other affiliate instructors for a very memorable trip!

​There is an old controversy in the martial arts between “old-school” practitioners and those who take a more contemporary approach.  Students of the old-school tend to practice exclusively for the purpose of self-defense.  In training, they like to focus on repetition of a limited number of drills and strategies.  They do not allow variation on how to do things or modification of established standards, and discourage sport or competition.  On the other hand, more contemporary stylist tend to embrace adjustments and modifications to established standards when they seem to improve things.  They sometimes focus on competition, seeing it as a healthy way to optimize their art and keep things fresh.  To them, competition training helps to prepare students for effective self-defense in the real world.
Lately, this debate has been raging in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  The argument on the side of the “self-defense” proponents argue that the first generation developers of BJJ got it exactly right.  They feel that no modifications should be made to the original strategies.  They also tend to dislike modern competition, sighting that some of the strategies developed over the last twenty or thirty years (since the art exploded in popularity) are not applicable to the real world.  The harshest critics feel that training for sport detracts from the essence of the true martial art.  This is not new, or limited to BJJ. 
Having tradition and standards are essential in establishing and continuing a martial art.  They are based on the collective experience of everyone who has trained-in, and developed the art up to the present time.  Tradition helps to form the best way for people to learn.  Standards, guidelines and compulsory strategies, are the glue that holds a style together over time.  To have no technical guidelines would be to have no martial art! 
In reality, each variation of a combative style is somewhere on a spectrum of tradition and contemporary.  Some schools are more old-school, and some more new.  The most traditional practitioners have no tolerance for change, and the most modern stylist have almost no established standards.  In reality, a healthy balance between tradition and evolution is best.  Although establishing and maintaining standards is extremely important, resisting a natural progression of a martial art over time is a mistake.  Regardless of style, not allowing any improvements, a better understanding, or even totally new strategies is a failure on both the individual and big-picture levels. 
Each generation of students has the potential to contribute something to their martial art.  Sometimes a key figure will make a major contribution to the art that they started in, or even spawn a new art.  This has probably happened countless times throughout history.  Some notable examples are Jigoro Kano for Judo, Uechi Kanbun and Kanei for Uechi-Ryu, Bruce Lee for Jeet Kun Do, Mohammed Ali for Boxing, and the first generation Gracies for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.  Each of these people made major contributions or modifications to the art that they started with.  If their contributions prove to be improvements, they survive the test of time and people gravitated to them.  For each of these figures, there may be a thousand other martial artists that attempted to modify their art, and failed miserably.  History has a way of determining which styles survive in the long run.
It’s important to balance maintaining high standards in training based on time tested traditions and being open to refinement, or even creating new strategies.  Being too extreme one way or the other will lead to problems and weakness.  Sometimes, students can be imprinted with a certain way of doing things and refuse to change that, even though they learned it imperfectly in the first place.  Also, being closed minded about your art can become tedious, and lead to premature ends to training and dysfunctionally small training groups.  There's an irony in the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu debate, because BJJ is a modified version of traditional Japanese Jiu-jitsu.  It’s important to stay open minded, and for training to include a variety of exercises and drills to provide a diverse package of strategies and abilities to it’s practitioners.  This should include technical drills, self-defense strategies, realistic situational exercises, and free sparring.     
“Sparring” or “rolling” is, by nature, a game with a set of rules to minimize risks for the purpose of practicing real time application of strategies.  Once you agree to a set of rules this will take on a life of it’s own, especially at it’s highest levels.  Competition should be viewed as a training tool that helps to develop important aspects of a self-defense skill set.  These include balance and footwork, functional core strength, grips, restraining and controlling another person, and…maybe most importantly…how to adapt to a chaotic situation and change quickly from one position or strategy to another.  Preparing for competition is also a healthy way for students to stay motivated to train and sharpen their skills, and boost strength and fitness.  We shouldn’t expect every aspect of the competition version of an art to apply to every situation in self-defense, but keep in mind it’s purpose in the big picture. 
Many of the benefits of sparring or competition training can go underdeveloped in strictly “traditional” training that sometimes only focuses on the situational or conditioning drills.  Against a resisting opponent who’s determined to get the best of you, a defensive strategy can be sabotaged, forcing the defender to go quickly to another strategy or go completely off script and make something up.  That’s not something the average person can do without extensive sparring or “rolling” included in their training. Competition also tends to lead to the refinement of older techniques, and the evolution of entirely new strategies.  On the other hand, students who prefer to focus on the competition path should also practice specific strategies for defense and escape situations.
 All students and instructors should stay open minded to new strategies that are developed, or improvements on “old school” strategies.  It’s important to think about the context that might be best for a certain move.  If something seems to work for competition, then use it for that.  If something seems to work best for self-defense, then use it for that.   Student should be allowed to focus on whatever emphasis they like, whether competition or self-defense.  Instructors should be familiar with all aspects of their art, so that they can help all students and pass the complete art on to others.  Everyone should avoid being negative about training, and celebrate...or eventually contribute to the gradual evolution of their art!

The Bill Wright Scholarship Fund held a “Kickathon” on Saturday, May 6th.  The event was designed to raise money for the fund, which relies on private donations to function.  This endeavor was the first of it’s kind in several years, and was a big success in boosting the funding for that charitable effort.
The BWSF was established to provide financial assistance to qualifying youth students.  It’s purpose is to provide a way for disadvantaged youth students to learn important life skills through the martial arts like focus, self-control, respect, confidence and perseverance.  
This time around, about a dozen kickers and separate contributors had raised nearly $1,600 at the time of this report.  Top kickers and fundraisers will receive small gifts, but the real reward for the participants is simply helping those who need it.
The highest kickers in four age categories (based on those who participated) were awarded gift certificates from ZenQuest.  Additionally, the individual who raised the most funds was awarded a gift card provided by the BWSF committee to Five Below.  Congratulations to the following (and thank you for your efforts and support!): 
 
Highest Fundraiser:  Thane Adams
Adults (382 kicks):  Matt Moreau
Cobras (318 kicks):  Tyler Woodbury
Dragons (280 kicks):  Thane Adams
Tigers (239 kicks):  Terryn Loehr
 
Special thanks to everyone who participated and made this effort happen.  Please remember that additional contributions are always welcome and appreciated!
 

​Congratulations to AJ Yener​ and Joe Willson on earning Nidan or 2nd degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate!  The promotions happened on Sunday, May 7 under the supervision of an examination board of Senseis Beth Yanuskiewicz, Michelle Moreau, Connie Flynn, and Mark Flynn.  Both AJ and Joe turned in “A” level performances in Shin, Gi, and Tai (form, strength and spirit) for all of the areas of the test. 
Upon completion of the challenge, the test board all agreed that it was a strong test, and had praise for the candidates.  Sensei Connie and Mark felt that the quality of Uechi-Ryu Karate at ZenQuest is virtually no different from that in found in Okinawa. 
Congrats again to Joe and AJ and, as Sensei Toshio Higa like to say…”Please continue!”
 

ZenQuest has now scheduled this year’s Berkshire Martial Arts Camp for kids!  The annual camp is a FUN and interesting way for kids to get some exercise, AND build-up their martial arts skills in the process.  Once again the camp will feature a variety of martial arts classes including: Karate, Jiu-jitsu, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Boxing, Self-Defense, and Bully Strategies.  In addition, the kids will play exciting games and fun activities like Running the Gauntlet, Target Attack, Light Saber Sparring, Ninja Stars and Board Breaking.  They’ll also go for hikes in Kennedy Park, and spend time on our private playground.
This year the half-day camp will run for one week only, from Monday July 17 to Friday July 21.  The cost for the camp is $185 for non-students, and $160 for enrolled ZenQuest students.  To register for the camp please call us at 413-637-0656, email us at train@zenquestmac.com, or stop at the front desk!  Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

An enthusiastic group of Uechi-Ryu Black Belts attended an “Advanced Concepts” training on Saturday, April 1.  The free workshop lasted about two hours and covered a variety of topics for senior or “Sempai” students in the traditional Okinawan Style.
The clinic began with discussion on issues concerning advanced training and instruction including modeling etiquette and conduct for newer students, mental development, adjusting goals with advancement, and staying enthusiastic for the long haul.  These issues are very important for advanced students and the “Dojo” as a whole.
In the second portion of the mini-seminar the focus turned to advanced material.  This included the core exercise Sanchin, with an emphasis on “pliable tension” or fluid strength.  The group then performed advanced kata and with constructive input from Senseis Connie and Mark.  Lastly, the students were taken through an advanced prearranged sparring/ self-defense routine known as “Yakusoku Kumite Daini.”  These drills are designed to employ intense counters in dealing with high threat level attacks.
Special thanks to all of the advanced students who participated!

On Tuesday, March 28th, Charlie Liu dropped into ZenQuest for a mini-clinic.  Charlie is a seasoned Black Belt under the infamous Matt Serra, and likes to share his knowledge at ZenQuest when in the area.  As always, a nice group showed up (on short notice) to take advantage of the opportunity.
     This time Professor Charlie focused on some foot-lock strategies made famous by the notorious John Danaher and his “Death Squad” competition team.  As we’ve seen over recent years, a natural evolution continues to refine the “old school” versions of many strategies in Jiu-jitsu. The techniques that Charlie showed definitely fell into that category, resulting in foot-locks that were tighter and very difficult to defend. 
     At the end of the clinic the group played “King of the Hill” where they took turns with one student passing the guard, and their partner trying to sweep or submit.
     Huge thanks to Professor Liu for sharing his knowledge, and to his wife Jessica for providing support.  Thanks, too, to everyone who participated!

​In recent years our policy on tuition and attendance have changed a bit.  Currently, we encourage students to utilize our “Easy Pay” tuition option.  This is the most convenient, low-maintenance choice for everyone.  It also provides a nice discount to the student, AND locks their tuition rates in at the time they activate, so that it will not go up for all as long as they remain on that option.  Adjustments can only be made when changes are made to the terms of the student’s participation (IE changing from partial to full participation, etc.), but even that is based on the rates in effect at the time of their activation of Easy Pay.
If the student or parent choses to pay tuition via our “old-school” system of Interval Enrollments (IE. monthly, quarterly, etc.), it is their responsibility to track their enrollment, and pay their tuition on time.  We do our best to provide reminders on the attendance sheets at the front desk but, ultimately, it is the student’s or parent’s reasonability to stay on top of that. 
Students are not allowed to attend classes without an up-to-date enrollment.  Doing so will result in charges for individual classes or late payment fees.  In extreme cases, abuse of our tuition policies can result in the termination of the student’s membership.  For more information on our tuition and attendance policies, please see our Tuition and Attendance Policies outlined on the rear of our tuition sheets, and our Policy, Waiver and Release Form.
 

The latest round of sponsorships for ZenQuest's MMA team proved to be a great success!  Several local businesses and individuals stepped up to contribute and support the team.  A HUGE thanks goes out to recent additions, including Digitsu and Quest Martial Arts! They join an amazing list of enthusiastic sponsors: A-List Luxury Car Services, Victory Force Options Training, Inc., Clayson Creative Media, Lenox Woods Apartments, Jedd L. Hall, Leo Daly, The Flynn Family, and The Robichaud Family. 
These contributions made by sponsors are used to cover expenses incurred by the fighters and coaching staff including training, travel, meals, and equipment.  In addition to the pride of supporting the Berkshires’ premier Mixed Martial Arts team, sponsors are recognized in a variety of ways.  Their name or logo appears on a “fight banner”, which is displayed at each event that the fight team participates in, as well as at other special events.  Sponsors also appear on a "Walkout" style T-shirt, which is also used at the events and sold at the gym.  Lastly, sponsors are mentioned on the ZenQuest website and social media.
We’re looking forward to more success and expansion of our competition team.  Once again, big thanks to all of the sponsors!!