​For many of us the holiday season is here again.  This time of year, or whenever your holidays happen, its important to try to actually enjoy them.  It’s easy to let ourselves lose sight of what this time is all about, and sabotage the whole experience for ourselves and others. Here are some tips for making the holidays happy.
Shop early - It may be funny for some to put off holiday shopping until the last minute, but this can result in a lot of stress and strain that is completely avoidable.  Instead, stay ahead of the rush and aim for getting it done early.  Many of us do a good portion of our shopping online now, and taking advantage of ’Black Friday’ and ’Cyber Monday’ sales is a great way to get a good portion of our holiday shopping done.  Don’t forget people and wind up in a last minute rush anyway.
Set a budget - Let’s face it, the holiday season can leave us broke for the rest of the year if we’re not careful.  So, putting some reasonable limits on our spending is a great way to avoid stress and unhappiness during the holidays...and long after.  Once we set a budget, we need to be sure to stick to it.
Set a schedule - Once we have our gifts and haven’t broken the bank its time to go visiting and host others.  This can also easily become a source of stress for us if we’re not careful.  Like money, our time is a resource that we need to manage well.  Setting a realistic visiting schedule will keep your stress low and result in happier holidays.  When making a plan be sure to take into consideration travel times, expenses, and the fatigue factor.
Set the example - Once visiting is underway its important to contribute to enjoyable visits by staying calm and positive, and avoid conflicts.  Try to set an example by focusing on having good, quality time with your friends and family.  Be the hero of the story by tolerating other people’s personal culture and beliefs.  
Minimize drama - We all have friends or family members that like to cause drama.  When spending time with them, avoid focusing on differences and respect the right for others to have their own opinions.  If that doesn’t seem to work, minimize your time with them as much as possible.  Sometimes this means editing people who’ve proven themselves to be toxic out of your visiting schedule.
Treat yourself - Although the holidays are a time to think of others, we need to be kind and mindful of ourselves, too.  Aside from little side-gifts for ourselves, we should be sure to get plenty of rest, avoid skipping meals, and make healthy food and drink choices.  A little portion control and moderation goes a long way here.  We should also be sure to include down-time in your schedule and keep up our exercise routines during the holidays.  Simple things like having a nice hot cocoa and taking some time to read or watch a movie will also help a lot.
So, follow these tips and be smart about how you manage the holidays.  Don’t let things get out of control and make your holidays happy!  Happy holidays to all.

We are excited to tell you about Kikai 2024, an amazing training camp happening in July of 2024!  The camp will feature six days of instruction and cultural exchange with three Okinawan Uechi-Ryu/Shohei-Ryu Masters.  This will include Master Tatsuhide Miyazato (Kyoshi, 7th Dan), Master Hirokuni Yamashiro (Hanshi, 9th Dan), and Grandmaster Tsutomu Nakahodo (Hanshi, 10th Dan) of the Okinawa Karate-Do Association. 

The camp will cover a variety of topics including Sanchin, Kata, Bunkai, Yakusoku Kumite, Kote-Kashi Kitae and more.  Kikai 2024 will be co-hosted by two long established Dojos in Massachusetts.  The first part of the camp will be held at ZenQuest Martial Arts in Lenox from Sunday, July 21 to Tuesday, July 23.  After a day of rest for the Masters, the camp will continue at the Uechi Karate Dojo in North Attleboro from Thursday, July 25 to Saturday, July 27.  The event will conclude with an advanced Dan Test and farewell Banquet on Sunday, July 28.

​Additional information and registration forms are available HERE.  We will be posting and sending out more information on this incredible opportunity or Kikai as it becomes available.  We will also have hardcopies of the registration materials at ZenQuest soon.  Registration for the camp will enable participants to attend as much of the six days of training sessions at both locations as they like.  In order to keep the event at a reasonable size, the event is being limited to dojos and members of the Okinawan Karatedo Association and early registration is encouraged. 

So, please contact us if you have any questions and reserve your spot while you can.  We are looking forward to seeing you for a great camp!

Consider shopping small this holiday season and choose a gift from ZenQuest for your favorite student.  We now have a brand new mesh drawstring gear bag available.  These are black with the school name on the front, and mesh on the back to keep gear dry and clean.  These are great for all types of training gear and uniforms for only $28. 

We also have a variety of other custom gift ideas including t-shirts, sweatshirts, training shirts, Gis, and beanie hats.  Students and parents can also order a wide variety of training gear and equipment including punching bags and targets for home.

If you’re not sure what to get, or something needs to be ordered a gift certificate is a great way to go.  So, stop by the front desk to grab one of these stocking stuffers. 
 

Several ZenQuest students competed in the 2023 ‘Tap Cancer Out’ tournament in Danvers, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 19th.  Proceeds from the popular fundraiser benefit cancer prevention and research. 
Everyone fought well and several won matches in their divisions.  Chalice Mitchell was the standout for the day, winning her division in the tournament.  All together the team raised over $5,300 for the event.  The top fundraiser from Team ZenQuest was Jake Doyle who collected over $1,300 for the cause.
Thanks to everyone who competed, supported, and donated in this effort.  Special thanks and congratulations to Chalice Mitchell for her team leadership AND winning her division.

​To keep pace with increasing expenses, the tuition at ZenQuest will be adjusted slightly in 2024.  All basic monthly tuitions will increase by $5 per month, with similar discounts for three, six or twelve month commitments and Easy Pay enrollments.  Similar discounts for families, college students and Law Enforcement Officers will also stay in place. 

These tuition rates will take affect on January 1st, 2024.  Students and parents may want to consider taking advantage of the existing rates and committing to longer enrollments prior to the new rates going into effect.  This is also a great time to consider enrolling in our ‘Easy Pay’ subscription payment plan.  Doing so before January 1st will lock in your existing tuition rates, and remain unchanged for as long as you stay enrolled with it. 

​To enroll in Easy Pay, or for any questions related to tuition please contact us or stop at the front desk.  As always thanks for your understanding and support!
 

We’re happy to announce that ZenQuest has been voted “Best Martial Arts School” in the Berkshires for the seventh year in a row!  The award was given by the Berkshire Eagle’s ‘Best of the Berkshires 2023’.  As usual, we were pleasantly surprised by the award after the voting had closed and the results were tallied. 
We believe that this is the result of years of doing everything we can to provide the best facility, instruction, and training environment possible.  Our facility is very functional and ‘user friendly’ for students, families, and visitors.  It is designed to optimize the experience for everyone.  We are constantly working to improve the gym inside and out and are excited about plans for the future. 
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.  Also, with a combined experience of over 70 years between Senseis Connie and Mark, as well as an experienced support staff, we’re happy to help others optimize 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 element worth a mention is that we set high standards for students to advance in their chosen arts.  Rank promotions are based on effort, progress, and 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 20-plus years.  They include a recession, a pandemic, a less than ideal ownership transition, loss of facility, and far too much drama at times.  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!!!

Our painting goals for the year have now been finished!  Phase I of this project included preparing and painting all of the east and north faces of the building.  This meant repairing and replacing portions of the wood siding, removing loose paint, and applying a primer coat of paint.  The final coat of paint is a nice blue color which will be surrounded by a white trim (to be added later.) 
Phase II of the project will be prepping and painting the west (playground side) and south (front) faces of the building.  This is planned to begin in the springtime of next year and completed by the fall.  Since the building is about equal to two average sized houses this is no small task. 
 For years the property had been somewhat neglected under it’s previous owners.  However, in December of 2021 ZenQuest officially became the owner of the building, and repairs and improvements began almost immediately.     
In addition to the painting and repair efforts the old doors in the front of the building were recently replaced.  New signage will also soon be added to the main entry door. 
Students should feel good about the efforts being made to bring them the best facility possible for their training.
Special thanks to Matt Moreau, Glen Giumarra, and Russ Moody for their help with this portion of the improvements to ZenQuest.
 

Several ZenQuest students are preparing to compete in the 2023 ‘Tap Cancer Out’ tournament in November.  The annual fundraising event will be held in Danvers, Massachusetts on November 19th.  YOU can help by sponsoring one or more of them, or just contributing to the cause using the link: https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/zenquest.  Proceeds benefit cancer prevention and research.  
Boa sorte and boa luta (good luck and good fight) to all of the competitors!

Occasionally, the weather will become intense enough during the winter months to present a serious travel risk for our students and instructors.  This can result from a single, severe weather event happening at the time of classes; or from an accumulation of events leading up to the time of classes.  Other indicators can be other major organizational closings and local travel advisories.  If it appears that travel will be too risky during class times, the school will close for that time.  Students can verify these closures by checking the school’s website or Facebook page, checking their e-mail, and by checking for a message on the ZenQuest phone at 413-637-0656. 

When most people begin their martial arts journey, they do it in part to improve their ability to defend themselves in the event such a situation would arise.  There is a broad spectrum of effectiveness in the world of martial arts ranging from extremely effective to not much at all.  In addition, there can be a big difference from one gym or dojo to another, and even from one instructor to another.
We are happy to say that each of the martial arts we offer at ZenQuest are useful in real world self-defense.  Over time, students in our Muay Thai, Jiu-jitsu, Karate and MMA programs will become proficient in effective self-defense skills.  Let’s take a look at each martial art at ZenQuest and its value in self-defense.
Muay Thai - Muay Thai is a ‘striking’ style which focuses on using blocks, punches, kicks, elbows, and knees from a measured distance away from an opponent.  It also employs some stand-up clinching (grabbing a hold of an opponent) and throwing.  Although these skills are very good for self-defense, in it’s modern form Muay Thai is ultimately based on sport competition.  In it’s ancient form or what is known as ‘Muay Boran’ the techniques and strategies were geared more toward actual combat and, therefore, more effective for serious self-defense.  
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu - BJJ has become known as one of the most effective martial arts in the world.  With its takedowns, restraints, submissions, and escapes it is very useful for real world self-defense.  Where BJJ is weak, though, is in situations where there is more than one attacker or an attacker is armed.  Also, submissions generally aren’t great with opponents who don’t understand ‘tapping’ or are just willing to take damage in order to continue their attack.
Karate - Karate has taken a lot of grief in the last 30 years, mostly because of Karate practitioners jumping into early MMA competitions without any business in doing so.  Since those early days though, there have been several successful Karate fighters in MMA including George St. Pierre, Lyoto Machita, Steven Thompson, Michael Page, and Michelle Waterson to name a few.  Like with any martial art, there are styles and gyms that do not have a good grasp on  effective self-defense but, done right, Karate training is among the best available for real world self-defense.  This includes situations involving armed or multiple attackers.  Traditional Karate typically focuses on what is known as ‘one-strike-kill’ strategies.  This means that the student is taught techniques that are not designed to trade blows with an opponent, but end a situation as fast as possible.  Interestingly, this is often what plays out in MMA where each fighter has the ability to knock the other out with one blow.  
MMA - Training in mixed martial arts or mixing martial arts will provide a rounded package of self-defense skills.  Generally this means training in a ’striking’ art like Karate or Kickboxing, and learning a ’grappling’ art like Jiu-jitsu.  At ZenQuest, the absolute best combination for real world self-defense is Karate and Jiu-jitsu.  For students who want to practice or compete in MMA, the best combination is Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu.  Attending our ’Team Sparring’ sessions sometimes is also a good idea for anyone looking for serious self-defense training as the intensity tends to get turned up a bit there. 
Self-defense training must be tempered to be age-appropriate for children.  Little ones can’t be expected to have the proper judgment or discretion for strategies that can be damaging or lethal for others.  So, we tend to give them safer versions of escape and restraint techniques.
Lastly, self-defense strategies must be practiced consistently over time to work in real situations.  Just doing a workshop for a few hours will probably not be enough training to provide a working knowledge of strategies that will hold up to the stress and chaos of a serious attack.  The defender ultimately needs to develop instinctive muscle memory for different situations and be able to change from one strategy to another based on what’s happening in real time.  Most people can only get that from dedicated training over a longer period of time.