We recently started replacing the ‘old school’ florescent light fixtures in the building with LED fixtures.  The new fixtures will provide the same amount of light but use as much as 70% less electricity when compared to the 40+ year old fixtures.  Additionally, the new fixtures do not require bulbs or ’ballast’ like the old ones, which needed replacement periodically.  Having over 70 fixtures throughout the building resulted in a constant battle in keeping up with these replacements.  Overall the new LED lights will be much more efficient and low maintenance going forward.
The plan is to replace the old lights in stages.  Essentially, we will be doing this one room at a time.  This will lessen the burden of the costs of the new lights, and provide an opportunity to recycle parts from the old lights in maintaining those remaining.  We expect that it will take about one year to complete this project. 
ZenQuest is also focusing on some other upgrades for the future.  We recently installed a new air conditioning  system on the east side of the building.  After delays due to supply chain and labor force issues we are happy to report that a new system was installed on August 6th.  This will greatly improve the cooling in the reception area and men’s locker room, and relieve the stress on the system on the other side of the building. 
We are also still perusing the permitting required for expansion of the back training room.  The plans for the work have already been completed and we will begin work as soon as the permits are secured. Once that is in place the actual work should only take days to complete.   
Essentially, the space between the training rooms that was our fitness room pre-pandemic will become part of the room primarily used for Jiu-jitsu and Thai Kickboxing classes.  This is because of the fact that the fitness room was historically under utilized and the growing need for additional training space. 
The work will be done in a way that does not disrupt the class schedule at all.  Based on the timing of the permits the project will likely be completed some time in October of this year.

Karate is a traditional ‘striking’ martial art where the basic idea is to stay on your feet and use footwork, blocking, and striking for self-defense.  Part of being able to make that work is also having the ability to escape common holds.  So, in each of our Uechi-Ryu Karate based programs we include strategies to counter common self-defense situations.
In recent times we have included escape techniques in our ’Kyu’ or pre black belt rank tests.  Each rank level would have two strategies that the student would learn and demonstrate during each of their rank tests.  The intent was to have a systematic way to insure that students received this important part of their training.  However, this proved to be a bit awkward in formal testing and resulted in extending the time required for these events. 
Going forward we will restructure the way that these strategies are taught at ZenQuest.  Now, each student will be given a list of self-defense situations complete with a brief description of the counter strategy.  We will cover these strategies more frequently in classes to insure each student learns them well.  This will be a more thorough way to cover these strategies and save time in formal rank testing.
Copies are now being distributed to students and are available upon request.  For more information feel free to speak to or contact us.

Demian Maia spent several days here in the Berkshires back in August.  The Jiu-jitsu master was in town to hold the first instructor training for his north American affiliates since 2019.  This is normally a annual occurrence but, like so many other in-person activities, was put on hold during the COVID pandemic.  ZenQuest was honored to help get this important tradition back on track!
The instructor training consisted of three days of intensive training between August 11th and 14th.  Among the strategies covered in the four sessions held were: stand up grappling, grip fighting, leg entanglements, pressure in positioning, and advanced submission details.
This is a great way to insure consistency and high quality instruction in Demian’s affiliated schools.  Several of ZenQuest’s assistant instructors attended the training which ultimately benefits all of our own students directly.
In addition to the instructor training Demian offered a three hour open seminar on Saturday, August 13th.  For this the master grappler let the participants choose the material to cover.  Then, for each strategy chosen the 5 time world champion focused on important principles for success.  Over forty students attended the clinic and walked away with a few points added to their BJJ IQ.
      At the end of Demian’s visit he surprised Professors Connie and Mark with promotions.  Professor (teacher in Brazilian) Connie was promoted to 1-stripe  or ‘1st grade’ Black Belt, while Professor Mark was promoted to 2-stripe  or ‘2nd grade’ Black Belt.  These had also been delayed by the pandemic.
      Thanks to everyone who supported the seminar and training, and special thanks to Demian Maia for making the trip!  Congratulations to Professors Connie and Mark on leveling up!!

Studying a martial art involves learning a lot of physical movements and strategies.  We learn stances and footwork, defensive movements, and attacking strategies...and how to coordinate those things together in a way that makes sense and functions properly.  With hard work over time we can master these movements and become a living vessel of our chosen art.
There are actually a few steps involved in learning the techniques in a martial art.  The first is to define what the movement is and how to do it.  Usually, an instructor will demonstrate the move and explain it in detail.  Some people will learn more visually or by watching the movement.  Others learn more by auditory or by listening.  Sometimes instructors will actually physically move the student’s arms or legs through the technique.  This is especially helpful in cases where there is a language barrier or the student is impaired in some way.
Once we’re able to duplicate a movement we typically must use our conscious mind to execute the move and “think our way through it.”  We must be careful to remember the different parts of the strategy and execute them in the correct order.  Our movements are driven by the thinking part of our brain.
The next step in learning a move is to build muscle memory in the technique.  We do this by executing the movement based on our knowledge of it with the ‘motor brain.’  This is the part of the brain that controls our muscles without really thinking about it...the part that learns to ride a bike.  During this time we start to feel comfortable with the move and that we’re starting to get it.
Before long we can simply execute the movement well based on ‘muscle memory’ or our motor-brain’s familiarity with it.  This is the last step in mastering a certain strategy in our art.  The move will become something we can execute on instinct without thought.  We should continue to monitor the technical aspects of the move but focus more on maximizing things like timing, rhythm, flow, optimizing speed and power, distancing, and application.  This is, of course, important in real world application where we would not usually have the time to think our way through an application.
     As we gain more experience in this we will usually get better at learning, and be able to pick things up faster.  We may be able to get to a point where we skip over a step or two and simply learn a new move or make adjustments to what we already know on the fly.  We can permanently change something quickly without a lot of thought or processing time.  
Some arts have ways to help this ‘muscle memory’ learning process along.  For example, in arts like Uechi-Ryu Karate the student is taught to coordinate their breathing with the movements they’re learning.  Since breathing can be voluntary and involuntary (with thought and without), the student will make stronger connections between the thinking part of their brain and the bicycle riding part.  
Sparring and sparring drills are also an essential part of learning to execute our movements instinctively and without thought.  When sparring or rolling we need to train ourselves to be in the moment and completely clear our minds.  We should shoot for total immersion, and act and react quickly based on our training.  Eventually this will enable us to execute technical strategies without any thought or hesitation as opportunities for them happen.
Over time, the instructor may provide more details on a move the student is familiar with to refine the technique further.  When this happens, we need let go of any negative feelings of going backwards in our training and simply make the adjustments.  In truth, these are opportunities to make our art more perfect.  We should listen carefully to all of the information the instructor provides based on their own years of training and experience.
As we accumulate strategies and experience in our art, we will get better at learning.  We will learn new techniques and make adjustments to known ones quicker.  We may get to a point where we can see something once or twice and just have it.  
Eventually we will master our chosen art and become a living vessel of all of the principles and strategies in it.  We will know the basic applications of each and have an intuitive sense of making it all work in real time.  As in bike riding, our bodies will be ready for unexpected twists from moment to moment while enjoying the highest levels of the activity. 

Like many other businesses ZenQuest was forced to close completely for four months in the early stages of the pandemic.  We did our best to provide some online classes and support videos and, thankfully, many students continued to support the gym during that time.  In July of 2020 we reopened for in-person classes with modified classes and several safety precautions in place to keep our students safe.  As the situation slowly improved we’ve gradually loosened our safety measures and returned to more of our pre-pandemic practices. 
Now, with COVID metrics trending down and more minor strains dominating new cases we will be making some adjustments to our class schedule soon.  These will include the following:
 
¨ Adult classes will be one hour in duration.  This includes all Adult Karate, Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu classes.  Monday evening Strength & Conditioning will remain at a 45 minute duration.
¨ The time between classes will generally be reduced to 15 minutes.  This is due to further reduction in sanitizing the rooms between classes.
¨ A ‘Tigers’ children’s Karate class will be added on Mondays at 4:15 PM.  This is to accommodate the current demand for that group.
¨ A ‘LEJJ’ or Law Enforcement Jiu-jitsu class will be added on Fridays at 9:15 AM.  This is to accommodate the expansion of that program and offer another alternative for those students.
 
Our children’s classes will remain at a 45 minute duration for now.  This is based on the proven success of this class length and consideration of relative attention spans of children in the modern era. 
These adjustments will take effect when classes resume after the Labor Day holiday on Tuesday, September 6th.  New class schedules will be available on Thursday, September 1st.  For any questions or changes in students’ classes, please contact us.

In recent years the heating and cooling systems at ZenQuest have required a lot of repair.  With no less than three aging systems in the building, it’s been a struggle to keep them functioning properly so that students can train in a comfortable environment.  The pandemic also complicated things, resulting in a situation where only one of the air conditioning systems was working. 
In March of this year we began reaching out to HVAC contractors to have the system on the east side of the building completely replaced.  After delays due to supply chain and labor force issues we are happy to report that a new system has finally been installed.  This will greatly improve the cooling in the reception area and men’s locker room, and relieve the stress on the system on the other side of the building. 
We also recently installed a window unit in the front training room and covered some of the windows to cut down on solar heating.  These steps should result in a more enjoyable climate throughout the facility.
We are also still perusing the permitting required for expansion of the back training room.  The plans for the work have already been completed and we will begin work as soon as the permits are secured. Once that is in place the actual work should only take days to complete.   
Essentially, the space between training rooms that was our fitness room pre-pandemic will become part of the room primarily used for Jiu-jitsu and Thai Kickboxing classes.  This is because of the fact that the fitness room was historically under utilized and the growing need for additional training space. 
The work will be done in a way that does not disrupt the class schedule at all.  Based on the timing of the permits the project will likely be completed some time in September of this year.

The second session of ZenQuest’s ‘Law Enforcement Jiu-jitsu’ training is underway.  The new LEJJ cohort began on Monday, July 25, with about 25 enthusiastic participants on board, including 8 new officers from the Pittsfield PD. 
The program focuses on minimizing risks for officers and the people they deal with in the physical interactions required of law enforcement officers.  Strategies in LEJJ are primarily based on the principles and techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but also incorporates defensive and control tactics from other martial arts.
LEJJ training has already proven itself to help officers perform their duties safely.  This is based on data and feedback from the Pittsfield Police Department, where the bulk of LEJJ participants are employed.  The training has also shown to improve things like officer stress levels and confidence, improving their overall health and well being.  Ultimately, this also leads to better service for the community.   Programs like LEJJ have consistently shown to be beneficial around the country. 
A program like LEJJ had been on the drawing board at ZenQuest for some time.  What made it possible was a shift in thinking about how this affects officer interactions in the line of duty.  Now that there is proof and positive data nationally that shows that this kind of training works, agencies are making it easier for these programs to happen.  Liability insurance companies are now even partially funding these programs. 
With the expansion of the LEJJ program, ZenQuest will soon add another LEJJ class on Friday mornings at 9:15 AM.  This will help accommodate the officers’ busy schedules and provide them with additional training when possible.
Thanks to all of the participating officers and supporting students for helping to make LEJJ a success.  Special thanks to Chief Mike Wynn for his support in the continued development of the LEJJ program at ZenQuest.

Demian Maia will be visiting ZenQuest in August.  The UFC veteran and Jiu-jitsu legend will provide several days of instructor training for his affiliate schools in North America.  This will be a continuation of annual trainings conducted before the COVID pandemic. 
The instructor training will consist of three days of intensive training between August 11th and 14th.  This is a great way to insure consistency and high quality instruction in Demian’s affiliated schools.  The exact schedule will be made available as soon as more detailed plans are firmed up.
In addition to the instructor training Demian will offer a three hour seminar open to all.  This will be held on Saturday, August 13th with a preregistration costs of $120. 
Demian recently added another win to his illustrious career competing on the Jiu-jitsu mats.  This latest victory came via a Superfight against another MMA veteran and Jiu-jitsu Black Belt, Benson Henderson, at Polaris 20.  The full 20 minute time limit was used in a very strategic match. Overall Demian was more dominant in positioning and threatened submissions, earning the nod from the judges.
The original plan was to have Silvio Moraes  accompany Demian on this training but, unfortunately, he is dealing with a knee injury at this time.  Professor Silvio was going to provide a special clinic for law enforcement officers on this trip, but that will need to be pushed to this fall when he is healthy again.
For information or to reserve a spot at the open seminar please contact ZenQuest at 413-637-0656 or train@zenquestmac.com.

October of 2021 saw the start of LEJJ or Law Enforcement Jiu-jitsu training at ZenQuest.  The program focuses on optimizing safety in the physical interactions required of law enforcement officers.  Strategies in LEJJ are primarily based on the principles and techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but also incorporates defensive tactics from other martial arts.
The program has already proven itself to help officers perform their duties while reducing risks for them and their communities.  This is based on data and feedback from the Pittsfield Police Department, where the bulk of LEJJ participants are employed.  The training has also shown to improve things like officer confidence and stress levels, improving their overall health and well being.  All of this leads to better overall law enforcement service.   This is consistent with the trend with new programs like this around the country. 
With the positive feedback and results stemming from the first LEJJ session, the Pittsfield PD is expanding their commitment for a new session beginning in August of this year.  PPD will now increase their enrollment from 12 officers in the nine month pilot program up to 18 officers for a full year.  This is also partly possible due to grants provided by the liability insurance company covering the department.  These are all strong indications of the importance and effectiveness of LEJJ.
With the expansion of the program, ZenQuest will soon add another LEJJ class on Friday mornings (before our regular No-Gi class.)  This will help accommodate the officers’ busy schedules and provide them with additional training when possible.
Thanks to all of the participating officers and supporting students for helping to make LEJJ a success.  Special thanks to Chief Mike Wynn for his support in the continued development of the LEJJ program at ZenQuest.

(Originally posted July 2015)
 
As many as 7 million people practice martial arts in the U.S.  This includes anything from passive and peaceful arts like Tai Chi, to extreme combat arts like MMA.  People practice these arts for different reasons...improved fitness, stress reduction, flexibility, self-defense, self-discipline, and competition to name a few.  These are all great things to take from the martial arts, but for those who can manage a longer stay in the “arts”, there are benefits that go much deeper and are more rewarding.
So, what is this sorcery…the secret sauce...the magical unicorn?  We can use different words for it but, maybe a good one is clarity.  Other words like Zen, nirvana, or enlightenment tend to make many people squirm.  Most Americans look at these as some flaky mysticism, or proverbial snake oil.  A good portion of martial artist in the west don’t get it and, in many cases, they don’t want to get it.  They can invest a good portion of their lives to training in the martial arts and completely miss this critical aspect of development.
Over time, dedicated training should help us develop the ability to minimize distractions, noise, confusion, and drama in our lives.  We can become more aware of our surroundings, more aware of ourselves, more aware of others, and of the world as a whole.  The longer we train the more aware we become.  Eventually, we can more clearly see important things about ourselves, and what is truly important in our lives, in our community, and in the world.
Martial arts training can also be empowering.  Learning strategies that neutralize aggression can make students feel more secure about themselves.  Often people refer to this as building “confidence” but, this can easily be confused with, or even cultivated as a type of arrogance.  This should be avoided at all costs! 
Slipping into a contrived confidence will not only make us an annoying character that few people will want to be around, but will also sabotage any progress or real understanding of the deeper levels of art we’re practicing.  REAL confidence is the ability to stay relaxed and focused in all situations.  It is believing in yourself, but staying humble.  We want to be genuinely comfortable with being grounded and based in truth.  This mentality will help us keep a pragmatic understanding of how our art functions in reality.
We should also learn to “live in the moment.”  This principle trains us to focus on what’s happening now, and not be distracted by what has happened or might happen.  Letting go of the past is important, because we can’t change the past.  We can only learn from it.  Worrying about the future will rob us of a happy present and, ironically, distract us from planning our actual future effectively!  Focusing on our present allows us to perform better and experience more fully whatever we do...whether its our work, sports, recreation or just relaxing. 
With better awareness, genuine confidence, and the ability to focus on the present its much easier to have a more positive outlook on life.  We learn to minimize negativity, and focus on the positive aspects of our lives. We are free to think more clearly and make sound decisions.  We can intelligently build and tailor our lives in a way that makes us and the people around us happy.  We can learn to be truly relaxed and enjoy ourselves more.
Often times, students will gain clarity about what they really want out of life, and make some major changes.  They may go back to college, they change jobs, they move to a different area, they start a family, etc.  Sometimes they actually stop training as a result of these changes, without realizing that the “arts” helped them arrive at the new understanding of themselves.  This is still a good thing and, when this happens, instructors and friends can still feel good that the student is happier and improving their life.
Essentially, the martial arts unicorn is about living a long, productive and happy life.  Its being a leader in the community for being helpful and kinder to others.  Its being less angry, frustrated, hostile and confrontational.  Its about being comfortable socially and not afraid of other people or groups.  It’s stability during the inevitable peaks and valleys on the roller-coaster of life.  It’s being able to adapt to changes moment to moment, day to day, and year to year.  Its inner peace and harmonizing with our world.
We will all experience good and bad times and, eventually, our lives will end.  Being able to enjoy or at least endure these things well will improve the quality of our lives, as well as that of those around us.