Interested students will have an opportunity to ‘opt into’ receiving these notifications soon, and have the ability to discontinue at any time. If you would like to be included in the ZenQuest text alerts, please let us know and provide a phone number. Until we have the system set up you can send your info by email at train@zenquestmac.com or simply leave your name and number at the front desk. More details available on this soon!
ZenQuest is in the process of setting up a text messaging system to alert students of important developments related to the dojo. This would include weather and power outage closures, links to our monthly newsletter, and other important announcements. In 2024 approximately 20% of people open email notices like these, but 90% open text alerts.
Interested students will have an opportunity to ‘opt into’ receiving these notifications soon, and have the ability to discontinue at any time. If you would like to be included in the ZenQuest text alerts, please let us know and provide a phone number. Until we have the system set up you can send your info by email at train@zenquestmac.com or simply leave your name and number at the front desk. More details available on this soon!
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As we gear up for the Kikai Camp in July some preparations are being made at ZenQuest. As part of that we have commissioned an artist to paint portraits of key Masters associated with the dojo. The artist is none other than ZenQuest's student Chalice Mitchel! She is Visual Arts Instructor at the Austen Riggs Center and freelance artist here in the Berkshires. Chalice also lived in Japan for about seven years and is conversational in Japanese. Chalice recently completed the first portrait which is of Grandmaster Tsutomu Nakahodo (shown below.) Shihan Nakahodo is a 10th Degree Black Belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate and one of the most senior living masters of the art. Master Nakahodo is Sensei Connie’s and Mark’s primary teacher. Our in-house artist will next do a portrait of Master Hirokuni Yamashiro. Sensei Yamashiro is a Hanshi, 9th Dan in Uechi and Sensei Connie’s and Mark’s secondary teacher. He has also been instrumental in helping them on their trips to Okinawa, and has visited the Berkshires and other parts of the U.S. several times. Chalice is styling the new portraits to match those existing already in ZenQuest’s front training room. Eventually she will also do portraits of Grandmasters Higa and Takamiyagi who were the Flynn’s head instructors until their passing in 2022 and 2012 respectively. Huge thanks to Chalice for her amazing work on these incredible additions to the Berkshires premier Karate dojo. Four ZenQuest students recently competed in the 2024 NAGA championships in Albany, New York. Several of the areas top grappling schools were present, and some had traveled quite a distance to participate. Each member of team ZenQuest medaled, bringing a total of seven medals back to the gym. Individual results were as follows:
¨ Levi Giumarra - 1st Place in Teens/ Intermediate/ 155# Max./ 12-13 Years/ No-Gi AND Gi ¨ Hunter Hamilton - 3rd Place in Men’s/ Novice/ 225# Max./ 30+ Years/ No-Gi ¨ Borey Booker - 2nd Place in Women’s/ Intermediate/ 130# Max./ No-Gi AND 3rd Place in Women’s/ Blue Belt/ 130# Max./ Gi ¨ Glen Giumarra - 2nd Place in Men’s/ Expert/ 200# Max./ 40+ Years/ No-Gi AND 1st Place in Men’s/ Purple Belt/ 200# Max./ 40+ Years/ Gi The event took place on Saturday, January 20th at the Washington Avenue Armory. Everyone on the team fought well and had moments where they really shined. Our team did especially well with takedowns and positioning. In addition to the four competitors, several team members came out to support them. Thanks to the competitors for an amazing job and thanks to everyone who showed up to support them! The New Year is upon us and with it comes a chance to reset, refocus, and recommit. For our journey in the martial arts, it’s a good time to check our schedule and ensure that we are setting aside time for training each week. We can also set some new goals for ourselves like working towards our next belt level, learning a new form or skill set, or simply diving farther into the principles of healthier and happier living through the martial arts. Year of the Dragon - This new year is the ‘Year of the Dragon’ on the Chinese Zodiac system or ‘Shengxiao.’ The Shengxiao is based on the Chinese lunar calendar which designates an animal for each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. Other animals in the Chinese Zodiac are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each has their own traits and symbolisms. The Dragon or ‘Long’ is a revered and iconic symbol affecting different aspects of Chinese life. Dragons are considered protectors that guard sacred places, treasures, and sometimes even individuals. The Chinese dragon is often seen as harmoniously balancing the opposite forces of yin and yang. This embodies the concept of balance and unity in Chinese philosophy. Dragons also are integral to ‘Feng Shui’, the Chinese practice of harmonizing one's surroundings to enhance well-being. ‘Long’ imagery is used to attract positive energy, and the placement of dragon symbols is carefully considered in Chinese architecture and design. The Dragon is also a symbol of good fortune, success, and prosperity and the belief in the dragon's positive influence has led to its widespread use in celebrations and festivals. Dragons of Okinawa - With centuries of trade and influence from different areas of the world, Okinawa has a rich heritage that combines its own unique culture with that from outside of its borders. This is reflected in the traditions and philosophies of the Dragons of Okinawa. Okinawan Dragons or ‘Ryu’ are generally seen as kind and protective beings which guard the land, sea, and people. Some Okinawan legends depict the Ryu watching over important sites or serving as protectors of specific regions. Ryu are also symbols of power, authority, and good fortune. Emperors and high-ranking officials have historically connected themselves with Dragon imagery to signify their authority and divine connection. Okinawan folklore includes tales of these mythical creatures as wise beings which often emphasize the importance of living in harmony with nature and the spiritual world, and imparting valuable life lessons. Okinawan culture also places emphasis on harmony and balance, drawing influences from Chinese and Japanese philosophies related to Dragons. The Okinawan ‘Shisa’ is a popular mythological creature in Okinawan culture that resembles a lion-dog. These are often placed in pairs to guard against evil spirits. Some interpretations link the 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!!! |
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