In recent years there’s been a lot of emphasis on staying hydrated throughout the day, and especially while exercising. Some people recommend drinking as much as two or three gallons of water each day, while others say only a few glasses. Let’s take a look at hydrating and what the experts actually say is best.
 
Benefits
Our bodies need water to stay healthy. About 60% of the human body is made up of water, and it plays an important role in almost every system within our bodies. Staying properly hydrated means drinking enough water each day to help our bodies work the way they should.
When we are properly hydrated, our brain functions better. Water helps us think clearly, stay focused, and keep our mood steady. Even a small amount of dehydration can cause headaches, tiredness, or trouble concentrating. For students and athletes, this 

On Saturday, October 18th, three competitors from team ZenQuest competed in the NAGA Connecticut 2025 event, including: Shawn Green, Katie Lefkowitz, and Zachary Suffish. Being that this was a relatively small tournament the competitor divisions were also small, but composed of players who frequently compete.
All of the ZenQuest competitors fought well. Katie took a bronze medal in her Gi division, while Zachary took silver in No-Gi and bronze in Gi. Congratulations to all and thanks for representing the team!

Good news for our No-Gi Jiu-jitsu fans! Starting on November 5th our Wednesday night Jiu-jitsu class will change to a No-Gi class or one that doesn't require the tradition Jiu-jitsu uniform. 
Up until March of 2020 our Wednesday night Jiu-jitsu class was ‘No-Gi’ grappling. When COVID hit, we were forced to close for four months, reopening in July of that year. When we did reopen, we exercised preventive measures like sanitizing, social distancing, and masks. We were able to return to normal in May of 2021, continuing with improved cleaning and sanitizing.
As part of the effort to maximize hygiene and cleanliness we also made all of our Jiu-jitsu classes with the Gi. This was due to the fact that the uniform tends to absorb sweat and minimize skin contact with others. Eventually, we put No-Gi classes back into the schedule on Monday nights and Friday mornings but kept the Wednesday evening classes Gi.
Now, with COVID significantly diminished we are returning our Wednesday night class to No-Gi, too. This is partly due to the popularity of No-Gi grappling, and our continuing policies of frequent cleaning and sanitizing. Another consideration is that ZenQuest is an affiliated academy under Demian Maia, who became a household name among MMA and Jiu-jitsu fans grappling in No-Gi mode. Despite this, Demian and other world class grapplers strongly recommend training both with and without the Gi.
The Wednesday evening class will continue to be run by our team of highly qualified assistant instructors. For these classes students may wear regular fitness clothes like shorts or leggings, and a T-shirt or ‘rashguard’. Participants are encouraged to be vigilant about keeping themselves and their gear clean for this and any of our other classes.  
So, do more with less on Wednesdays at ZenQuest!

 
Several of ZenQuest ‘Jiujiteiros’ are preparing to compete in the 2025 ‘Tap Cancer Out’ tournament in November. The annual fundraising event will be held in Danvers, Massachusetts on November 8th & 9th. YOU can help by sponsoring one or more of the competitors, by using the link: https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/team/767381. Proceeds benefit cancer prevention and research.
This year’s competitors include Michael Siktberg, Katie Lefkowitz, Shawn Chambers, Weston Aube, Chris Boyle, and Levi Giumarra. Boa sorte and boa luta (good luck and good fight) to all of them!

The next round of ‘Advanced Concepts’ clinics at ZenQuest are being scheduled. These are slated as follows:
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·   Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu -- Saturday, November 15 (Blue Belt and up)
·   Uechi-Ryu Karate -- Saturday, December 6 (Brown Belt/Nikyu and up)
·   Sityodtong Muay Thai -- Saturday, January 3 (2-Stripe Prajiet and up)
 
These will all begin at 1:15 PM and last about 90 minutes. Students ranked appropriately are encouraged to attend if possible. ZenQuest’s Advanced Concepts clinics are a great opportunity for eligible students to learn and practice advanced techniques and strategies in their respective art. ZenQuest’s AC clinics are provided to enrolled students at no extra cost. So, join us if you can!

Our PSW or ‘Personal Security for Women’ classes have returned to the schedule. This program is designed to give women effective techniques and strategies for dealing with common attacks that they might see in their lives. Unfortunately, over 30% of women aged 15 or older experience physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.
The classes are taught by Sensei Connie Flynn, who has over 30 years of experience training and teaching various martial arts. A small group of assistant instructors also provide support. Essentially, the program is ‘for women, by women.’
The training includes important striking strategies like elbows, knees, open hand strikes, and kicks. A series of escapes from common grabs and holds are also covered. A variety of essential fundamentals and basic movements like stance, posture, and guard are also learned. The instruction includes explanations of the principles involved and why the movements are prescribed as they are. All of the training is focused on overcoming significant size and strength disadvantages.
The class is now open once again and participants can join in at any time. Participants can choose to only enroll for our PSW program, but many students choose an unlimited membership and cross train in other classes available at ZenQuest. This can be in Thai Kickboxing, Okinawan Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Please contact us to reserve a spot for this awesome training! Questions and reservations can also be made by calling 413-637-0656, emailing [email protected], or visiting the zenquestmac.com PSW page. 

​Sensei Connie recently traveled to Napa Valley, California to attend the annual Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu Instructor training camp. The week-long gathering started on Wednesday, August 13th, and consisted of intensive training and quality control for Instructors of academies affiliated with the Jiu-jitsu legend.
This year, ZenQuest’s Instructor Matt Gerlitz also attended the training in Napa. Professor (teacher) Matt received a certification for attending the first part of the camp which focused on fundamentals and strategies for teaching newer students.
The remainder of the camp focused on ‘framing’ or using leverage to improve positioning and escape bad positions. There was also an emphasis on using ‘pressure’ in dominant positions to ‘cook’ or wear an opponent down. After the Instructor training Professor Demian also provided a three hour open seminar.
     At the end of the training camp Professor Connie was promoted to 2-Stripe Black Belt by Master Demian himself. The promotion is the culmination of over 27 years of consistent training and teaching of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. 
     Congratulations to Professor Connie on her promotion, and to Professor Matt for completing the DMJJ Fundamentals Instructor course.

Its ‘Back-To-School’ time again and that means organizing our children’s classes for the busy season at ZenQuest. We do this in order to keep reasonable limits on these classes, and ensure a positive experience for every student. After an unusually busy summer it is more important than ever for parents and older kids to plan for their classes at this time.
Students and parents should notify us at their earliest convenience which classes they will be continuing with this fall. Student lists are being created now for each youth class in the schedule, with limited space available. So, it is essential that we get you onto the appropriate class lists.
This year students and parents can reserve their classes electronically! You can easily do this by visiting our website (zenquestmac.com) and following the link provided on the first page under ‘BTS/Fall Registration 2025.’ From there, simply complete the ‘Class Selection’ form using the choices provided and send. As an alternative you can reserve your classes by any of the following ways:
 
¨    Sending an email directly or through our website
¨    Speaking to someone directly at the front desk
¨    Calling us at 413-637-0656
 
Please note that class reservations and lists are made on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Waiting lists will be generated for classes that reach their limit. We will notify you if a class has become filled. Students who are not able to attend their first choice for classes right away are encouraged to choose alternative classes until space opens up in their most preferred classes.
Also, remember that class reservations will only be effective with an active student enrollment. Reservations for students not currently enrolled must be accompanied with tuition payment to restart the student’s membership. Remember, too, that ‘Partial Participation’ is reserved for students aged seven years old and younger. Students turning thirteen years of age (or older) should begin transitioning to our Adult classes, which do not need to be organized like the youth classes.
As of September 1st, youth students are encouraged to plan on a maximum of to two to three classes per week in each program. This is to balance enthusiastic attendance with allowing other students to share in the fun. Also, parents and students need to be careful to prevent ‘burnout’ in younger students. This still allows most students to attend as many as four to six classes each week between Karate and Jiu-jitsu.
There are no changes to our schedule of youth classes, and tuition rates will remain unchanged at this time. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns going forward. We will look forward to another great season of fun and learning at the oldest and best martial arts school in the Berkshires!!

Two new training gear choices will be available soon at ZenQuest. The first is a new training shirt or ’rashguard’ for Muay Thai. This is a custom shirt directly from the Sityodtong headquarters in Thailand. The shirt is black and features an image on the front of a sign that has hung in front of the headquarters camp since it opened in 1960. The back features a silhouette of the original Grandmaster of the style, Kru Yodtong. These will be available in sizes small to 3X-large and costs $55.
The second is a custom Gi from the Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu Association. It is a white uniform with black embroideries for Demian’s affiliate logo AND a new ZenQuest logo. The Gi is being produced by the ‘Kings Kimonos’ brand and will be available in a variety of sizes, with a cost of $160. 
For more information on these or to purchase please contact us.

Demian Maia will be visiting ZenQuest again soon! The UFC veteran and Jiu-jitsu legend will provide a three-hour seminar open to all. This is being scheduled for late September or early October, with a preregistration cost of $120.
Professor Maia will provide two hours of instruction with the Gi or uniform, and one hour of ’No-Gi’ training. Demian has proven himself many times over in Gi competition and actually pioneered Jiu-jitsu strategies in MMA and No-Gi. He is a firm believer that students of BJJ should train with and without the Gi. 
Demian recently wrapped up a long career in MMA, with an impressive record of 29 victories, including 14 by submission. Demian stands as Brazil's UFC triumph leader, cementing his legacy as a legit Jiu Jitsu ambassador. In addition to being a BJJ standout he is extremely good at sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
For information or to reserve a spot at the open seminar please contact ZenQuest at 413-637-0656 or [email protected]