​Jiu-jitsu legend Demian Maia is planning on conducting several days of instructor training at ZenQuest this summer.  This will be a continuation of annual trainings for his affiliate American schools after over two years of pause due to COVID.  The event schedule has not been finalized yet, but will likely take place in late July or early August.
This training will consist of three to four days of intensive training during the week for instructors followed by a seminar open to all on Saturday.  Details will be made available as soon as plans are firmed up.
Demian recently won a ‘super fight’ grappling match over black belt competitor Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira in BJJ Stars 8.  At 44 years old the veteran competitor made it all look easy in his return to sport Jiu-jitsu after an impressive run of 15 years in Mixed Martial Arts.  Demian essentially dominated positioning and submitted Cowboy via triangle choke at about half way through the 10 minute time limit.
Stay tuned for more details on this amazing training!
 

After over two years the pandemic seems to finally be winding down.  The predominant strain affecting us at this point seems to be the ’Omicron’ variant.  This is a less virulent version of the coronavirus which results in flu like symptoms and rarely becomes as serious as the original COVID19. 
Despite all of this, it still makes sense to exercise intelligent precautions in the gym/dojo.  Its no secret that ZenQuest cancelled classes for the last week of April.  We did this in order to prevent a major spreading event at the gym. Several students had reported testing positive for COVID then some instructors actually did, too. We took steps to minimize the impact of this and keep everyone as safe as possible. From what we can tell this actually worked well as we had few reports of additional cases after the closure.
Going forward we are asking students to be cautious and refrain from attending classes if they have flu-like symptoms, or believe they have been exposed to someone who has COVID. If a student or instructor does test positive they should also refrain from attending classes for the recommended 7 day minimum, or until they test negative.  Also, upon returning to training, said individuals should plan on masking for an additional 5 days while in the dojo.
We will continue to do frequent sanitizing of surfaces, and requiring students to sanitize well before each class. Face coverings are also encouraged for students who have elevated risk factors or with family members at risk.
Any missed classes can be made up at the student’s convenience. If needed students may make up classes by cross-training in another martial arts. For students who are unable to do so, please contact us and we will be happy to make an adjustment to your membership accordingly. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding in this situation.
 

Kru Mark DellaGrotte of Sityodtong Muay Thai recently dropped in for a seminar at ZenQuest.  A great group showed up on Saturday, March 26th, for our first seminar since the pandemic hit.  As usual, Kru Mark did not disappoint with over two hours of solid knowledge that benefitted everyone there.
This time Kru started out by focusing on the principles of footwork in the ancient art.  Next he reviewed important concepts in shadow boxing.  He finished with some incredible drills for executing strong kicks.
Kru Mark is widely known as one of the top Muay Thai masters in the world.  His knowledge of this amazing martial art is only surpassed by his ability to communicate and help others improve their game.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the seminar and special thanks to Kru Mark and Marie DellaGrotte for making this happen!

The original plan for ZenQuest when it opened in the Lenox Commons Plaza back in 2010 included two training rooms for classes, plus a fitness room.  For years, the fitness room had basic equipment in it like treadmills, an exercise bike, a squat rack and bench, and a variety of other fitness and training gear.  When the pandemic hit, most of the bigger equipment items were removed from this room to allow for one way traffic through the building and the addition of more punching bags (used primarily for individual Muay Thai training.) 
Now that the pandemic is winding down this space is going to be repurposed to expand the back training room.  This is partly because the fitness room has been notoriously under-utilized during the time it was available to students.  It is also becoming necessary due to the fact that some of the classes at ZenQuest are often filled with students.  Expanding training room 2 will allow us to accommodate the larger classes at the school better going forward.
The plan is to remove the wall separating the back training room and the fitness room to create one large space.  The existing main entry into the back room will be closed off so that the entry into the new room will be the door into the existing fitness room.  Additional mats have already been ordered to match the existing black mats in the back room.  The new room will include some Karate decorations so that some of the biggest children’s classes can be held there.
Once plans are finalized and the proper permits are in place the expansion project work will begin.  The goal is to do this in a way that does not disrupt the class schedule at all.  Based on the expected delivery of the mats the project will likely be completed in July of this year.

In recent years ZenQuest has been recognized as the best martial arts school in it’s home area...the beautiful Berkshires.  However, it is also a family run business that has survived many challenges, including two years of the COVID19 pandemic.  With all of the crazy trials and adjustments we’ve gone through during that time, there has been some confusion recently on the part of some students about our membership and tuition policies.  We will review those here and offer some additional options that can make things easier for everyone.
For years now we’ve offered an autopay or ‘subscription’ option for membership here at ZenQuest.  This the most convenient and low-maintenance choice available to our students.  It also provides a discounted rate AND locks the student’s tuition so that it cannot increase for as long as they remain enrolled with it.  To activate an “EasyPay” enrollment, students simply fill out a form designating an account to make payments from, and that’s it!  This is best for serious students who want to attend classes on a continuous basis for a longer period of time.  
As an alternative to our EasyPay autopayment option, students can now choose to receive monthly reminders in the form of an invoice sent by email.  This will also provide an option to simply pay via the invoice on a monthly basis.  Although this offers a lot of convenience, it does not provide the other benefits that our EasyPay does.  This may work well for students who are somewhat seasonal or just not comfortable with a subscription type of commitment.  This is only available on a monthly basis.
Students and parents who choose to enroll with incremental memberships paid in person must realize that they are ultimately responsible for making payments according to their chosen increments of time (one to twelve months.)  This ‘old school’ system requires them to keep track of their tuition dues dates and make payments on or before those dates.  We do our best to provide helpful reminders on the attendance sheets at the front desk, but students need to use these sheets and respond when a reminder is present.  In situations where younger students sign themselves in but cannot respond to reminders it is, again, the caregivers’ responsibility to keep track of tuition.
Given the fact that space is at a premium at the gym/dojo at this point, we are going to have to start being a bit more strict with some enrollment policies going forward.  For students who seem to struggle with the incremental enrollments we recommend our EasyPay or Invoice payment options.  Either of these can easily solve any problems with tuition. For those who want to stick with incremental enrollments in person, we ask that you stay mindful of tuition due dates and make payments accordingly.  Students who prove to be unable to do that will ultimately be given a choice between the EasyPay and Invoice options.
Going forward students will not be allowed to attend classes without an active membership.  Also, for tuition payments made more than five days after a student’s due date a $10 late fee will be charged.  These policy items are actually noted in the registration paperwork that each student or parent signs at the student’s initial enrolment.  We’ve been lax about this recently, but need to resume enforcing these rules again. 
Please contact us if you have any questions on this or would like to go ahead with ZenQuest’s Easy Pay or Invoice options.

It’s difficult to believe that we are now at the two year anniversary of the COVID19 situation.  During that time ZenQuest has endured some real challenges including: four months of shutdowns, virtual classes, modified in-person classes, extreme safety measures, social distancing, training dummies, and face coverings.  Despite all of that, many students have been dedicated to their martial arts journey, and classes have remained strong. 
With the latest surge in the coronavirus pandemic subsiding experts are saying that we are in the final stages of the pandemic.  Based on current trends we are planning on making our final transition back to normal soon.  This includes:
 
· Optional face coverings inside of the building
· More physical contact in training and two-person drills
· More sparring and rolling with multiple partners 
· A return to team sparring sessions held on Mondays (3/14) and Saturdays (4/2)
· Returning to class durations of up to one hour (eventually)
 
This will apply to all students regardless of their vaccination status.  Students who are not yet comfortable with the pace of the above will be allowed to be more cautious if they choose. 
At present, we are planning on making face coverings optional on Monday, March 7th.  This is based on recent guidelines issued by the CDC, the Massachusetts Governor's office, and determinations made by local school systems.  At that time we will also return to the other ’normal’ training items noted, with the exception of increased class durations.  This will be put in place when we are certain that sanitizing surfaces between classes can be reduced on a more permanent basis.
Returning to ‘normal’ will also mean resuming special events like our Advanced Concepts clinics and seminars with world renown instructors.  The AC clinics are held periodically for our intermediate and advanced students.  Our special seminars provide opportunities to learn directly from the likes of Demian Maia, Mark DellaGrotte, Hirokuni Yamashiro, and many others.  We have gone ahead and scheduled Advanced Concepts clinics for Karate, Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu in the month of March.  We’ve also scheduled our first seminar with Kru Mark DellaGrotte for late march. For more information on these see ‘Important Dates’ on page 3. 
We seem to be finally approaching the finish line after a long and grueling distance race.  Although we still need to be smart about the situation we may be able to put this strange chapter in our martial arts journey...and our lives behind us.  Special thanks go out to all of the students who've continued to train OR started training in the modified classes during the COVID situation.  We appreciate your support more than you can know and will not forget your dedication and willingness to adapt.

The Okinawa Karatedo Association or Kyokai is in the process of building a new website.  The project had been delayed for months due to the pandemic and the resulting financial effects on the organization.  Now, with the help of contributions from affiliated dojos the site is finally underway and should be up and running within a few weeks.
The new site will be a great source of information and resources for students of Uechi-Ryu Karate around the world.  It will include lists of affiliated dojos in different parts of the world, and news and updates from Okinawa.  Black belt promotions around the world will also be posted on the site.
In the fall of 2021 affiliate dojos in the US and Europe contributed resources to help jumpstart the project.  Senseis Mark and Connie were instrumental in organizing fundraising and volunteer work for the site.  Several dojos were excited to see the project advance and donated generously.
Huge thanks to everyone who helped to make the new site a reality.  Special thanks to Antonis Tzounis of Greece for his work in constructing the site.

One of ZenQuest’s favorite all time students recently passed away at the age of 92.  Leo was an important part of ZenQuest for the better part of two decades, originally joining us in 2002 at age 71, when we were still known as the Okinawan Karate School.
He set a high bar for his efforts in training and enjoyed helping with children's classes for years. He became a favorite among the Okinawan Masters who visited the school and was always there to help with and participate in special events.  Leo earned the rank of 4th degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate at age 84 in 2015.  He also cross trained in BJJ and Muay Thai at times.
Leo served in the US Air Force and worked for many years in the Massachusetts’ Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.  Leo had many stories about his adventures in life and was always willing to share.     
Our lives are better because of him and we will miss him dearly. Rest in peace Sensei Leo and condolences to his family.

With the Omicron variant of COVID19 winding down many experts are saying that we are now in the ’endemic’ stage of the pandemic.  We’ve all been here before, but we may finally soon see the end of this seemingly endless situation.  If the current trend continues we would expect to lift the last remaining restrictions and safety precautions related to the pandemic.
 The pandemic has been challenging for most of us and very difficult for some people.  With social isolation, financial hardships, restricted activities, and elevated depression and anxiety we are all looking forward to a return to our old version of normal.  Through all of this it was important to stay as positive about the situation as possible.  Now, we can be cautiously optimistic that an end is in sight.
There is a lot to be excited about in a return to the old normal at ZenQuest.  First, this will mean going back to optional face-coverings.  Although training with these on tends to actually improve our cardio-vascular fitness, most people would rather just go back to training without them.  Those who prefer to continue using these are more than welcome to of course.
Returning to normal also means resuming events like Advanced Concepts Clinics, tournaments, and seminars with some of the most notorious instructors in the martial arts world.  This includes people like Demian Maia, Hirokuni Yamashiro, Mark DellaGrotte, and others.  At present we have scheduled a round of Advanced Concepts, and our first seminar in over two years with Kru Mark DellaGrotte in late March (details on page 2.)  Look for more of these events again soon.
Once we’re fairly certain that we can go back to normal we will adjust the current class schedule back to pre-pandemic mode.  This means restoring class durations for older kids and adults back to a full hour.  Class durations were shortened to allow for sanitizing surfaces between classes.  At some point  we can reduce the amount of sanitizing needed. 
Normal training will also mean a return to normal social interactions in the Dojo, too. We’ve had to eliminate some things that we took for granted like hand shakes, fist bumps, and ’abraços’ or hugs in Jiu-jitsu.  These things may seem insignificant at first, but they go a long way towards comradery and team building among training partners.  Just being able to see people’s faces again will be nice, too!
There are several newer students at the gym that have never had the opportunity to train without the current safety precautions in place.  Imagine what things will be like when they can experience ‘normal’ training.  For more experienced students this will be a much welcomed change back to the training they know and love.
Of course, we must continue to follow the safety precautions in place until it is safe to lift them.  We are all tired of these things, but they are the way to stay safe until the COVID situation is under control. 
So, let’s keep our fingers crossed and look forward to getting back to normal soon!  As always, we appreciate the students and instructors who’s love for the martial arts was greater than the inconveniences we’re endured over the last two years.  Thank you!

ZenQuest is happy to announce the return of Kru Mark DellaGrotte of Sityodtong Muay Thai!  Kru Mark will provide a two hour seminar beginning at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 26th.  It has been well over two years since our last clinic with Kru Mark DellaGrotte and, with the COVID19 situation subsiding, we will resume these incredible training opportunities.
Kru Mark is known throughout widely as one of the top Muay Thai masters in the world.  His knowledge of this amazing martial art is only surpassed by his ability to communicate and help others improve their game.
Pre-registration for this event is $90, with full price of $110 at the door.  Bring your gloves and shin guards, and a water bottle and towel are recommended.  Space will be limited, so secure your spot soon!