​It’s Back-to-School season again, and time for our younger students to recommit to the skills of success!  At ZenQuest, we are recommitting ourselves to helping our students in reaching their goals and learning important life-skills like focus, self-control, preparedness, fitness, and perseverance. 
During our busiest time we do our best to organize our classes to ensure a healthy and positive environment for everyone.  This includes limiting the size of classes, so students and parents are asked to designate which classes they will be attending during this time. 
By now, students of our children’s programs should have received a “Fall Registration” packet in the mail.  In it is everything you need to make your “Back-To-School” registration easy, including Class-Selection forms.  Submitting these is the best way to insure reservation of your most preferred classes during this time.  Please remember that waiting lists will be generated for students whose forms are received after their chosen classes are filled, or who are not properly enrolled. 
The mailed Class Selection forms indicate the most appropriate programs for each youth student based on their age, size and experience level.  Please remember that students ages nine and older must enroll on a Full Participation basis (regardless of attendance.)  This means that they may attend unlimited classes per week in Karate, Jiu-jitsu, and HSD appropriate for their age and skill levels.  If you did not receive this packet, you can access a Class Selection form by clicking HERE.
When completing your Class-Selection Forms, be sure to select your preferred classes within appropriate age groupings.  Also, you may underline any secondary or “back-up” choices.  You can assume that you have been assigned your first choice of classes, unless contacted otherwise.  Students who have continued throughout the summer will be given priority on class selections.  However, Selection Forms must also be submitted for these students for this to be effective.  Remember to be prompt in submitting your completed selection forms as class lists are generated on a first-come-first-served basis.    
Please call us if you have any questions.  We look forward to having you for another great season of fun and learning at the oldest and best martial arts school in the Berkshires!!

We've been voted “Best Martial Arts Academy” in the Berkshire Eagle’s Berkshires Best Awards for 2017!  The Eagle has been the area’s premier newspaper for decades with a large local following, and these awards are considered of special merit. 
The honor came as a surprise as we were not aware that this was a “thing”, or of the voting.  In spite of not knowing about the voting process or encouraging people to participate, WE WON!  The award is especially sweet because it is based on the “Readers’ Choice.”  The school had to be nominated, and then voted on via mail-in and online ballads.
A “gala” for this year’s award winners was held on Thursday, August 3rd.  The party featured dozens of displays from local businesses who had received honors in their field.  This included ZenQuest’s neighbor “Chocolate Springs”, and our competition team sponsor “A-List Luxury Car Services.” 
Tremendous gratitude goes to everyone who voted for us, as well as everyone who supports us from week to week, and the Berkshire Eagle!  Arigato gozaimas, muito obrigado, sawadee krup...and THANK YOU ALL!  We are very honored, and we will continue to provide the absolute best facility, instruction and training environment that we can in the future.
 

Two free self-defense seminars were held at ZenQuest on Sunday, August 6.  These were provided as a community service, aimed in part at preparing kids and young adults for transitioning to new modes of school or college.  In all, over thirty participants took advantage of the opportunity to learn some important skills that can last a lifetime.
The first seminar, called “Kid Safe”, was for ages 7 to 13.  This focused on the best strategies for children to deal with issues like bullying, assault and abduction.  The kids learned basic strategies for using their voices, blocking strikes, returning fire if needed and escaping common grabs and holds.  The kids learned a lot in the short time given AND had fun in the process.
The second clinic was for ages 13 and up and called “Be Safe.”  This focused on proven strategies from around the world for avoidance and dealing directly with harassment, assault, abduction, and date-rape.  These participants also learned basic strategies blocking and striking, and escaping common grabs, holds and attacks.  Of course, the intensity of the topics covered was scaled to be appropriate for the different age groups.
Big thanks to the participants and parents, and a special thanks to Kathy Petrucci for helping with the children’s workshop.
 

After an impressive run in the UFC’s welterweight division Demian Maia got his title shot in in “UFC 214.”  The opportunity came against champion Tyron Woodley on Saturday, July 29 in Anaheim, California.  Unfortunately, Maia’s seven fight win-streak against many of the toughest guys in the 170 pound division came to an end in this second attempt at a championship belt. 
The athletic and explosive Woodley, known for using his speed to knock out the best, had done his homework.  He was able to deny Demian in 21 takedown attempts in the center of the octagon via strength and sharp technique.  The champ also defended some takedowns against the cage, but not without controversy as he grabbed the fence in desperation at least twice.  This is an illegal way to stop a takedown, and should have resulted in point deductions after the first incidence. 
The normally animated Woodley was criticized for not pressing the action during the fight, but commented after that he was careful not to give Demian a chance to implement his own game plan.  Basically, he did the MMA equivalent of walking a home-run hitter.  To Maia’s credit, he also shut down the champ’s strength, which is lightning fast punches. Except for a well timed uppercut on Demian’s second takedown attempt, the champ landed a record low number of strikes in the fight. After five rounds, Woodley pulled a unanimous decision, in spite of Maia pushing the action and seeming to control the space most of the time.     
       This bout was tainted with controversy right from the beginning.  With the fight announcement coming on June 28th, Maia was only given four weeks to prepare for what was likely the most important fight of his life.  Normally, fighters are given much more notice for a title fight, allowing them to have training camps for ten to twelve weeks.  Some people believe that the short notice was an attempt to stack the cards in Woodley’s favor, and that he may have been given more notice than was Demian.
In any case, we are proud of everything that Demian has accomplished both on the Jiu-jitsu mat and in the octagon, and happy to have him as our Professor/ Master.
#TeamDemian #Team Z

ZenQuest recently conducted “Advanced Concepts” workshops for both it’s Uechi-Ryu Karate and Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu programs.  These clinics are provided every three to four months to aid intermediate and advanced students in learning advanced techniques and strategies in their respective arts.  This latest edition of trainings covered some great training! 
First, “Advanced Concepts in Uechi-Ryu” was held on Saturday, July 29.  This was open to all Black-Belts in that traditional program.  The gathering began with some discussion about leadership, and personal development in long term training.  Then the training focused on “harvesting” information from common drills, and using rhythm and timing to optimize efficiency and effectiveness in movement.  
     On Saturday, August 5 we had Advanced Concepts in Jiu-jitsu for all students ranked Blue-Belt or higher.  This AC training also started with discussion about leadership, and personal development in long term training.  Then the physical material included defense against kicks, knives and guns.  The strategies taught are the simplest and most reliable for common types of these attacks. 
     At the conclusion of the Jiu-jitsu seminar seven students received  well deserved promotions, including:  Keith Sansoucy, Chris Brouse, and Dennis Fougere to 1-Stripe Blue Belt; Robert Haywood to 2-Stripe Blue Belt; Neil Von Flatern to 1-Stripe Purple Belt; Tim Somerville and Herb Gregg to 3-Stripe Purple Belt.  Congratulations to all!
One more Advanced Concepts clinic is coming for Muay Thai students.   This is scheduled for Saturday, August 19 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, and is open to  all students Blue-Prajiad or higher.  For those who qualify, please mark your calendars!