Starting in January ZenQuest will offer a new class called 'Personal Security for Women' or PSW. The program will focus on techniques and strategies for enabling smaller people to deal with a variety of serious self-defense situations effectively. These will include stance and footwork, defensive positioning, effective blocking and striking, and escapes from common holds and restraints. 

Instructor - The PSW class will be taught for women and by women! The lead instructor will be Connie Flynn of ZenQuest. Sensei Connie has over 30 years of experience in various martial arts and self-defense training including: Uechi-Ryu Karate, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Thai Kickboxing. Additional support will be provided from other female instructors from ZenQuest.  

Schedule - The class will be held on Tuesdays at 5PM starting on January 7, 2025. The duration of the class will be 45 minutes and will run in 12-week cycles. Participants should wear regular athletic clothing like a t-shirt, Under Armor shirt, and shorts or yoga pants, or sweats. A pair of kickboxing/ boxing gloves will also be required for the class. 

Participation - Participants can choose to only participate in the PSW class and will qualify for our 'Partial Participation' tuition rates for that. This is normally reserved for ages 7 and younger, although the minimum age for PSW is 13. 

Costs - ​For new students our 'start-up' special will be a good option for this since, at $249, it provides an equivalent monthly rate of $83 and a credit towards the gloves required for the class (or other equipment.) Participants enrolling this way would also enjoy unlimited participation at ZenQuest, enabled them to try any of the other age-appropriate classes in the schedule. Reserve a spot via the start-up special by clicking HERE. Participants can choose to enroll monthly with a cost of $94 per month (discounts for longer enrollments or family participation.) Currently enrolled students may participate in the PSW class at no additional costs. 

Space will be limited for ZenQuest's PSW classes so please contact us to reserve a spot. Questions and reservations can also be made by calling 413-637-0656 or emailing [email protected]. A printable flyer is also available to share HERE.

​We’re happy to announce that ZenQuest has been voted “Best Martial Arts Studio” in the area for the 8th year in a row!  The award was given by the Berkshire Eagle’s ‘Best of the Berkshires 2024’.  The annual awards are given based on voting done by the community in the Berkshire and surrounding areas. This is the result of years of hard work towards providing the best facility, instruction, and training environment possible. 
Our facility is functional and ‘user friendly’ for students, families, and visitors. It’s designed to optimize the experience for everyone and we are constantly working to improve the gym. We’ve been busy with improvements to the exterior of the building recently, and have more projects planned for the inside soon.  
We take great pride in providing world-class instruction in all of the programs we offer.  With three internationally recognized parent organizations, our teaching standards and methods are guaranteed to be high quality and authentic.  With a combined martial arts experience of almost 75 years between Senseis Connie and Mark, and a great support staff, we’re happy to guide others in their own martial arts journey. 
The training environment we’ve created may be our biggest accomplishment and reason why our students and families support us as they do.  ZenQuest will always be a place of mutual support and respect, where anyone who is sincere about learning can thrive.  Instructors and students know that welcoming new people is crucial in maintaining a friendly environment for all.
Another reason for our success is that we set high standards for students to advance in their chosen arts.  Rank promotions are based on the student’s efforts, their progress in the martial arts, and their personal development.  The ranks earned in each of the arts that we offer are recognized around the world.  This may seem like a matter of course, but too often in the martial arts world students are pushed through ranks based on memorization, false confidence, and monetary gain.
All of this comes somewhat against the odds. Although students are shielded from the behind the scenes challenges as much as possible, some of these have been pretty intense over the last 22-plus years. However, a core group of dedicated students and instructors have stuck with it through it all and helped make ZenQuest the amazing place that it is today. 
We would like to thank our staff, students, and families for their continued support.  We would not receive the recognition that we have over the last seven years without them.  We will continue to do everything we can to make it all even better!  Thanks again Team ZenQuest!!!
 

On Saturday, November 16, several grapplers from Team ZenQuest will compete in the 2024 ‘Tap Cancer Out BJJ Open’ tournament. 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.
This year seven members of our team will be competing. They are Maria Mohan, Chris Boyle, Phillipe Peligrad, Shawn Chambers, Carlo Petrucci, Chris Kupernik, and Mike Reis. They have all been working hard to prepare for the tournament, especially in our ’Competition Training’ sessions each week. We know that they will do well in their respective divisions.
However things turn out on the mat, though, the primary purpose of the event is the fundraising. So, aside from the support you can give them for their grappling, please consider supporting the competitors with your donation. This can be done by clicking HERE.  
Your donation and support is very important. The team goal this year is to raise $5,000,and last year we raised over $6,000.  Currently, we are nearly at the $5,000 goal, so with your help, surpassing that should be easy!  ‘Boa luta e boa sorte’ (good grappling and good luck) to the competitors!