Studying a martial art presents several different challenges.  There are learning technical strategies, coordinating our bodies to perform the movements, keeping up with the cardio-vascular requirements, and developing strength to make things work.  But beyond the more obvious, there are also some mental and even emotional challenges to overcome.  Some of the non-physical pitfalls that we need to be aware of include:
 
·   The feeling of not making progress or stagnation
·   A lack of patience or frustration with promotions
·   Arriving at a place of “knowing everything” with no need to learn more
·   Failure to maintain a training schedule
·   Failure to plan financially for training
·   Allowing relationships with training partners or instructors to fall apart
 
Most of these problems can be avoided by following the principle of ‘Kaizen.’  Kaizen is a word that comes from Japanese culture meaning “constant improvement.”  Essentially, it means that every time we enter the dojo or gym, we should do our best to be better than the last time we were there.  This is no easy task, because it means improving on each aspect of training including the technical aspects of our art, our focus and concentration, our strength and conditioning, and even our energy and enthusiasm! 
Just doing these things well all at the same time can require some effort.  Improving on them in a constant and gradual way can present quite a challenge.  To do this we need to immerse ourselves into our training.  We need to try to focus mentally, minimize distractions, and make improvements happen. 
It’s normal to have ups and downs from day to day, or week to week, but over time this approach will lead to improvement and progress.  Sometimes we will feel like we’re making huge improvements, sometimes smaller ones...and sometimes we’ll feel like we’re actually going backwards.  But, over time, we WILL make progress.  In reality, we are always improving, even when we think we’re not.  “Baby steps”  forward should be the goal.  Minimizing distractions and focusing on training will keep us in a healthy place.  We need to make training and improving a priority.
The most import aspect of the Kaizen approach is that it will help us stay positive about our training.  Probably the most common path to failure in the martial arts (or possibly any activity) is mental frustration and negativity.  If we feel like we’re not progressing at all, we will likely get discouraged and give up.  Instead, we need to stay positive, and work towards constant and gradual improvement.

The Bill Wright Scholarship Fund is holding a fundraiser through Green Top Fundraising.  The BWSF helps underprivileged kids learn important life skills through the martial arts that lead to a long, fulfilling, and successful life!
There are many different treats and candies to choose from, as well as spring flowers for planting.  Check out the many selections in the order brochures that are available at ZenQuest.  Online orders are also available for out-of-town friends and family.  
All orders are due by Wednesday, February 21st for delivery mid-March.  Please help us raise money for this worthy cause. Your support is greatly appreciated! 

​Brazilian Jiu-jitsu icon Demian Maia and one of his top instructors, Silvio Moraes, dropped into ZenQuest recently for another incredible seminar.  Maia did not disappoint the nearly 50 in attendance from across Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island...and as far away as Texas.  Demian shared some of the strategies he’s developed during a lifetime on the cutting-edge of the art.  Strategies that have helped him to dominate in some of the most difficult challenges in the world over the last 20+ years. 
In a reverse of the usual pattern, this clinic focused on “No-Gi” material for the first 90 minutes, then switched to “Gi” for the second.  Demian shared a variety of techniques including reliable take-downs, positional strategies, and submissions.  Among the most impressive moves he showed were some of the most fundamental submissions from one of the most common dominant positions.  But, each of the arm-bars from side-control he showed incorporated huge improvements to the “old-school” versions.  In effect, the “new-school” versions are more effective, and very difficult to stop on the receiving end.  The seminar ended with Demian and Silvio giving the students an opportunity to “roll” or spar with them one on one. 
At the conclusion of the seminar, hosts Connie and Mark announced that student Matt Bienia was being promoted to Purple Belt.  Matt trains extremely hard on a regular basis, and has made great progress in his Jiu-jitsu over the last five years.
After leaving ZenQuest, Professor (instructor in Portuguese) Demian went on to finish a series of seminars in the U.S. and then on to others in Europe.  Big thanks to everyone who attended this, and a very special thanks to Demian and Silvio for providing an amazing opportunity to learn.