The end of the summer season means falling temperatures, shorter days, back-to-school, and a return to our more ‘indoor lifestyles.’ Although we can still enjoy outdoor activities like apple-picking and leaf-peeping, it is also a great time to renew our commitment to martial arts training. With so many new and returning students it’s also a good time to review some policies and guidelines for success at ZenQuest. So, let’s take a look at that now.
Attendance - One of the most crucial factors in making progress in the martial arts is setting a schedule of classes for yourself, and then sticking to it. When we set a schedule and make training a routine we will learn, develop, and advance. The martial arts can help us develop discipline and self-control, but we need to have enough discipline to make regular attendance a habit first. Sometimes it can be challenging to make a regular schedule for training due to work, family, school or other activities. If progressing in your chosen art(s) is important to you, though, you’ll find a way to make it work.
Arrival and preparedness - In addition to consistent attendance students should also make a habit of arriving on time for their classes. Ideally, this means arriving 10 to 15 minutes before each class. This will provide enough time to get settled, change clothes if needed, and start to get ready for the class. Arriving late for class once is a while is understandable, but a consistent pattern of this is disruptive and detrimental for the offending student in different ways. Parents must stay mindful of the importance of not arriving for classes too late OR too early. Students should also remember to bring all of the gear needed for their classes including proper clothing, sparring gear, and a water bottle.
Rules and etiquette - In each of the martial arts at ZenQuest there are established rules for training. These include common sense ideas for safety and courtesy in the ‘dojo’. Each martial art involves practicing self-defense strategies that can be risky if not learned and used properly. So, in each training room there is a set of rules that help to foster a safe, respectful and enjoyable place to learn. The instructors help students to learn these rules, but students must also be sure to learn and follow them.
Promotions - Each of the primary arts at ZenQuest have ranking systems. Uechi-Ryu Karate has a belt system for children and adults, Sityodtong Thai Kickboxing has a armband or ‘prajiet’ system, and Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu has a belt ranking systems for adults and children. There are well established guidelines and requirements for advancement in each of these systems. These include knowledge of techniques and strategies, personal and martial arts development, and minimum attendance requirements for each level. Of those the minimum time or number of classes required is the LEAST important. Progressing in rank is something that students should stay excited about and regular attendance is crucial for that, they should mostly focus on their development in their art and as a person.
COVID and Illness - Students experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, or suspect that they’ve been exposed to an illness should refrain from attending classes until they know that they will not expose others. Similarly, students with a serious injury that prevents them from participating in classes should give themselves some time to heal. Students and parents should notify us when this happens so that we can place their membership on hold until they are well and can train again.
Holidays and Weather - We do close for some holidays at ZenQuest. This is based largely on the expected student attendance and the needs of our instructors. We typically announce holiday closures well ahead of time in our newsletter, on our website, and on the bulletin board in our reception room. Periodically, in times of severe weather (mostly during the winter months) travel conditions can become hazardous and classes may be cancelled. The decision to cancel in these cases is based on a combination of the conditions prior to opening for classes and weather forecasts. Notices of weather closures are sent out via email and placed on the school’s answering machine.
Membership - Students who choose to enroll incrementally (i.e. monthly, quarterly, etc.) need to stay mindful about their tuition payments. These should be made on or before the student’s tuition due dates. Students should not attend classes when a payment is late. Reminders are typically noted on the sign-in sheets at the front desk, and if someone is there they may gently remind students. This can all be minimized by enrolling via our EasyPay subscription option, or doing longer incremental enrollments. Please note that memberships cannot generally be extended due to missed classes.
So, make the most of this fall season AND take your martial arts training to the next level at ZenQuest!
Attendance - One of the most crucial factors in making progress in the martial arts is setting a schedule of classes for yourself, and then sticking to it. When we set a schedule and make training a routine we will learn, develop, and advance. The martial arts can help us develop discipline and self-control, but we need to have enough discipline to make regular attendance a habit first. Sometimes it can be challenging to make a regular schedule for training due to work, family, school or other activities. If progressing in your chosen art(s) is important to you, though, you’ll find a way to make it work.
Arrival and preparedness - In addition to consistent attendance students should also make a habit of arriving on time for their classes. Ideally, this means arriving 10 to 15 minutes before each class. This will provide enough time to get settled, change clothes if needed, and start to get ready for the class. Arriving late for class once is a while is understandable, but a consistent pattern of this is disruptive and detrimental for the offending student in different ways. Parents must stay mindful of the importance of not arriving for classes too late OR too early. Students should also remember to bring all of the gear needed for their classes including proper clothing, sparring gear, and a water bottle.
Rules and etiquette - In each of the martial arts at ZenQuest there are established rules for training. These include common sense ideas for safety and courtesy in the ‘dojo’. Each martial art involves practicing self-defense strategies that can be risky if not learned and used properly. So, in each training room there is a set of rules that help to foster a safe, respectful and enjoyable place to learn. The instructors help students to learn these rules, but students must also be sure to learn and follow them.
Promotions - Each of the primary arts at ZenQuest have ranking systems. Uechi-Ryu Karate has a belt system for children and adults, Sityodtong Thai Kickboxing has a armband or ‘prajiet’ system, and Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu has a belt ranking systems for adults and children. There are well established guidelines and requirements for advancement in each of these systems. These include knowledge of techniques and strategies, personal and martial arts development, and minimum attendance requirements for each level. Of those the minimum time or number of classes required is the LEAST important. Progressing in rank is something that students should stay excited about and regular attendance is crucial for that, they should mostly focus on their development in their art and as a person.
COVID and Illness - Students experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, or suspect that they’ve been exposed to an illness should refrain from attending classes until they know that they will not expose others. Similarly, students with a serious injury that prevents them from participating in classes should give themselves some time to heal. Students and parents should notify us when this happens so that we can place their membership on hold until they are well and can train again.
Holidays and Weather - We do close for some holidays at ZenQuest. This is based largely on the expected student attendance and the needs of our instructors. We typically announce holiday closures well ahead of time in our newsletter, on our website, and on the bulletin board in our reception room. Periodically, in times of severe weather (mostly during the winter months) travel conditions can become hazardous and classes may be cancelled. The decision to cancel in these cases is based on a combination of the conditions prior to opening for classes and weather forecasts. Notices of weather closures are sent out via email and placed on the school’s answering machine.
Membership - Students who choose to enroll incrementally (i.e. monthly, quarterly, etc.) need to stay mindful about their tuition payments. These should be made on or before the student’s tuition due dates. Students should not attend classes when a payment is late. Reminders are typically noted on the sign-in sheets at the front desk, and if someone is there they may gently remind students. This can all be minimized by enrolling via our EasyPay subscription option, or doing longer incremental enrollments. Please note that memberships cannot generally be extended due to missed classes.
So, make the most of this fall season AND take your martial arts training to the next level at ZenQuest!
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