During the pandemic we’ve had to train with social distancing, modified class formats, extreme safety measures, and face coverings.  Based on the progress being made with vaccinations and the resulting improvements in the COVID metrics in Massachusetts we’ve been gradually relaxing these requirements and returning to normal. 
Now, after additional progress and speaking with local health officials we are happy to announce that face coverings will be optional for all youth students at ZenQuest.  This includes all children under the age of 12 and is effective Monday, July 12th.
All students are still expected to be respectful of each other’s space and follow class etiquette and protocols including sanitizing hands and feet before each class.  Students and parents with remaining concerns about COVID19 may continue wearing face coverings, and may opt out of partner drills or other parts of classes that they are uncomfortable with.  Of course, any student experiencing ‘flu like’ symptoms (or any other illness) should not attend classes until the issue has passed. 
We appreciate everyone’s patience in this unprecedented situation and, as always, thanks for your support!

Our ‘Advanced Concepts’ clinics recently restarted after over 15 months off.  The pandemic made it nearly impossible to do these special training sessions for intermediate and advanced students. After months of improvement in the COVID situation we can periodically focus on high level techniques, strategies and tips in Muay Thai, Jiu-jitsu and Karate at ZenQuest.
Our first advanced session back was for Uechi-Ryu Karate on June 12th.  After some discussion on leadership the group focused on ’Yakusoku Kumite’ or sparring drills with an emphasis on realism and speed.  Advanced promotions are done separately in this art and are not included in the advanced trainings.
Next, on June 19th we held ‘AC’ Muay Thai.  There we worked on advanced footwork and combinations.  At the end of the clinic several students were promoted including: Glen Giumarra to Blue Prajiet, Matt Moreau to 4-stripe Blue Prajiet, Tilo Jackson to 1-stripe Purple Prajiet, and Chris Bradley and Chris Kupernik to 3-stripe Purple Prajiet.
Lastly, on June 26th we conducted advanced Jiu-jitsu training.  For this we covered some No-Gi ‘De La Riva’ guard strategies.  This involves entangling an opponent's legs to improve positioning and set up submissions.  At the conclusion of the training promotions were given as follows: Todd Dort, Shawn Maschino and Sadie Giumarra to Blue Belt; Matt Moreau to 3-Stripe Blue Belt; and Matt Gerlitz to Brown Belt.
Thanks to the affected students for your patience with this and congratulations to all of those who leveled up!

For well over a year now we have been thrown into a situation that has required us to change many aspects of our lives.  In the gym we were forced to modify the way we trained and avoid any contact with partners.  Now that we’re returning to pre-pandemic training and able to drill with partners again we need to adjust back to how to work with other people.  After all, the martial arts are all about interacting with others.
Here are some things to be mindful of when working with partners in the dojo:
Personal hygiene - One of the most important rules of etiquette for training with others is maintaining good personal hygiene.  This includes regular bathing, using deodorant, keeping nails trimmed and grooming hair so that it doesn’t interfere with training.  Students must also keep all uniforms, shorts, shirts and gear clean.  This includes bringing changes of clothing, as needed, if doing multiple classes in one day.
Distancing - An important aspect in growth as a martial artist is developing a sense of distancing, or how far away from someone you should be to make a strategy work.  In addition, we all need to respect other students’ personal space.  When doing a group exercise like laps or line drills each student needs to maintain a distance behind the person in front of them to be safe and respectful.  We all just spent months practicing ‘social distancing’ so, this should be easy.  Also, remember that it’s not appropriate to ‘play fight’, horseplay, or even touch other students in off moments in the gym.
Control - Working with a partner requires us to stay under control at all times.  Its not OK to be careless, reckless or overly aggressive.  This is especially important when sparring or ‘rolling.’  Sparring is NOT fighting.  It is an opportunity for students to practice the strategies they’ve been working on in real-time for the purpose of LEARNING.  Part of sparring should be training yourself to be calm under pressure and to use your resources intelligently.   
Respect - To create an environment that is constructive for all every student needs to respect everyone else in the dojo.  This means following established rituals like bowing, fist bumps, and using titles for instructors.  In addition, students should try to be courteous with their actions, words, tone, and body language.
Talking - Unlike mainstream gyms, martial arts facilities tend to have a friendly and supportive environment where people can socialize and make lasting friendships.   During training though, its important for students to also focus and learn as much as possible.  So, it’s important to strike a balance between having fun sharing a common interest with others in the dojo and getting the work in.  Students should also avoid assuming the role of ’the expert’ and not bombard others with words in an effort to help them.  Students must be given a chance to learn a martial art on a physical level once they understand a technique or strategy.   
Sticking to the plan - When doing situational drills students need to try to ‘stick to the plan’ and avoid branching off into variations of a strategy, or doing things the way THEY think it should be done.  Part of the instructor’s job is to keep everyone on the same page based on their experience.  Once students start going off script the entire training environment can break down into a disorganized mess with no team unity.  Students who prefer their own way should probably just train at home.
So, optimize and enjoy the opportunity to train with partners again!  Following these rules will create an environment where everyone can thrive in their chosen martial art.  See you on the mats!

ZenQuest COVID19 safety measures were recently updated in compliance with updates from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Based on these, we will make the following adjustments to our policies for attending classes:

*   Masks  For all students ages 12 and above masks are now optional in the gym/dojo.  This applies to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated students.  Students ages 11 and younger are required to continue wearing masks until it is deemed safe for them to go without.
Update:  Based on the improving pandemic metrics and discussions with local health officials  masks are optional at ZenQuest for children ages 11 and younger as of Monday, July 12.
*   Entry & Exit  Students and caretakers can enter and exit through the front door again.  Two-way traffic is restored, and students may move around the building more freely again.
*  Signing In  Students and caretakers will once again sign themselves in at the front desk.  Please note that tuition due dates are highlighted on the attendance sheets for students enrolled incrementally ahead of their due dates.
*  Common areas  Common areas such as the reception area, locker rooms, and playground are open again for student and caretaker use.  Our viewing area will remain closed for the time being.
*    Storing Belongings  Shoes and belongings may be left in the cubicles in the front area or in locker-room lockers.  Lockers are available for rent on a more permanent basis. Students will have access to their belongings but should not leave class to do so unless directed. 
*   Sanitizing & Schedule  We will continue to clean the mats between classes, so the class schedule will remain the same at this time.  Students are also encouraged to sanitize hands and feet before classes.  
*   Class Attendance  Fully enrolled students are eligible to attend unlimited classes once again but are encouraged to stick to a schedule if possible.  Younger students enrolled with ‘Partial Participation’ are limited to one class per week of course. 
*    Class Formats  There will no longer be social distancing spaces designated in the respective classroom areas and class formats will return to pre-pandemic formats.  Students are expected to still be respectful of each other’s space and follow all class etiquette protocols.

We will also be making announcements in class to reinforce the noted adjustments, effective Tuesday, June 1st.  Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns going forward.  Once again we are truly grateful for the students and families who've supported us through the quarantines and pandemic months!

00​Its no secret that the entire world has been affected by the COVID19 pandemic for over a year now.  For ZenQuest this initially meant shutting down for almost four months, with no ’in-person’ classes allowed during that time.  In July of 2020 we reopened with extensive safety measures, limited capacities, and modified class formats.  Over time, the class limits and safety measures have relaxed somewhat as the COVID situation slowly improved. 
Now, with vaccinations well underway and a significant portion of the population in Massachusetts immunized, the commonwealth is now making major changes to its restrictions for contact sports and activities.  Based on recent updates issued by this ZenQuest will adjust its COVID safety measures as follows:
 
· Students will now be allowed to make physical contact in training. This includes a return to two-person drills, partner target work, escape techniques, and technical sparring (for Karate and Muay Thai.)
· Sparring and rolling will be allowed again on a limited basis.  This will start with team sparring sessions held on Saturdays from 1:00 to 1:45 PM for students who are fully vaccinated against COVID19.  Proof of full vaccination (including a two-week period following a final injection) must be provided to qualify for this.   
 
Training in respective classes for a minimum of three weeks prior to entering team sparring is also required.  Participation in team sparring will start with ‘technical sparring’ or ‘flow rolling’ and gradually build up to a normal level of intensity.  These steps are to allow for proper conditioning and safety, and minimize risks for everyone.
Students who are not yet comfortable with the partner training described above may continue with using the appropriate equipment or ‘ghost mode’ in their training for the time being.  Students who are not yet vaccinated can participate in team sparring as soon as they are fully vaccinated. Those who prefer not to be vaccinated can take advantage of additional changes to safety measures as they happen.
All other safety precautions are remaining in place for the time being including masks, one-way traffic, sanitizing and limiting class sizes.  Equipment usage will still be kept to a minimum, but temperature checks are now optional.  For additional information on remaining safety precautions please visit this link. 
Massachusetts’ Governor Baker is predicting that we will be back to 100% normal by August of this year!  As we inch closer to that goal we will continue to relax our COVID safety precautions and gradually get to a place where this is all 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.

ZenQuest recently visited St. Mary’s school in Lee, Massachusetts.  Senseis Connie and Mark introduced the students there to some fun and age-appropriate martial arts drills.  Students from grades K through 8 were taken through simple striking and blocking fundamentals and then practiced applying those moves on pool-noodles and paddle-targets.  The older kids were also shown a few escape strategies where Sensei Connie would counter a hold that Sensei Mark surprised her with.  The kids seemed to really enjoy the presentations and several staff and parents provided very positive feedback.  Huge thanks to the St. Mary’s PTO for a generous donation of $150 in appreciation for the visit.  The funds will be used for repairs to ZenQuest’s playground area.
The dojo is also continuing its classes at Miss Hall’s school this spring.  Students there meet twice each week to learn material from Okinawan Karate, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Thai Boxing.  The material there is presented in a fitness and self-defense mode.  The girls there are very focused and soak the techniques and strategies up like sponges.  The students and staff at Miss Hall’s have given positive feedback and ZenQuest will be happy to return in the fall to provide more classes there.        

With the spring season underway and the COVID situation gradually improving, there are some things that we need to stay mindful of at ZenQuest.  For one, we need to continue to be mindful of safety measures and restrictions.  At ZenQuest this includes social distancing, face coverings, frequent sanitizing, and one-way traffic through the building.  These will be gradually lifted as the pandemic gradually fades away. 
This also means that our common areas like the waiting room, observation areas, and playground must remain closed at this time.  We know that it can be difficult to have to explain to children why they cannot enjoy the playground and surrounding area, but preventing numerous kids from touching the same surfaces is an effective way to minimize risks for them and their families. 
We are also still required to limit the size of classes and, consequently, forced to limit students to a maximum of three classes per week.  Eventually we will return to our normal attendance patterns where student participation is unlimited (except for children during our busiest times.)
We ask students and parents who choose incremental enrollment (monthly, quarterly, etc.) to keep close track of their due dates.  We do highlight the attendance sheets for each student when their tuition is coming due but, unfortunately, the ZenQuest staff currently checks students in.  We do try to mention when due dates are approaching to students, but this can be difficult for children (especially our youngest students.)  Of course, this can completely be avoided if students enroll via our EasyPay program.
Parents are also reminded that drop off of young students must be done at the front of the facility (preferably just letting them in the front door and letting the staff take it from there).  Once the student has been checked in parents must exit through the front door and wait for their children outside of the building.  Once the child has completed their class they will exit through the side door adjacent to the playground where parents can receive their kids.
One last item to be mindful of is that the pandemic has been a time of added stress and anxiety for most of us.  With that, we can have feelings of frustration, depression, anger, and hopelessness.  This leads to dysfunction in our lives and  lower tolerance for situations and people in our lives.  So, it is more important  than ever to remember that we must contribute to a culture and structure in the dojo of respect and courtesy that is pleasant and productive for all.  When we collectively foster a positive training environment we can all have a place to forget about our problems and enjoy ourselves...and learn.

We will soon have more of our custom Jiu-jitsu Gis back in stock in a variety of sizes.  These are the high quality blue “Team ZenQuest’ uniforms with a variety of patches on them.  These are extremely popular and tend to be sold out quickly.
We are also in the process of finalizing a new custom Karate Gi!  This will be upgraded from the original version and made more similar to our custom Jiu-jitsu uniform.  These will be made from a high quality material and include patches for both ZenQuest and our parent organization the Okinawa Karatedo Association.  An image of the new design is shown below.
Our popular ZenQuest sweatshirts are also available again, too.  These are black with the school name on the front, and our three core martial arts noted on the back.  They are available in children’s and adult’s sizes up to XXL at a costs of $45 each.  T-shirts with the same design are also available for $29 each.  We also have custom ZenQuest ‘Board Shorts’ and training shirts or rashguards available at $45 each, as well as custom beanie hats for $15! 
Students and parents can also order a wide variety of gear and equipment including punching bags and targets for home...all at 20% off.  Stop by the front desk, call or message us to purchase or pre-order any of these items.  We also have gift certificates available which can be purchased at our front desk or through our website. 

Students who train in ZenQuest training room 2 (the black matted room) may have noticed that some of the mats are reaching the end of their useful lives.  Some of the mats have splits and repairs in them that make a less than ideal situation.  In actuality, those mats have seen over 10 years of hard training at ZenQuest, and a few years before that at another gym in northern Virginia.
Soon three of the six ‘Dollamur Flexi-Roll’ mats in that room will be replaced.  The remaining three are still in good shape and can continue to be used at this time.  Of course, the new mats will match those existing in thickness, color and texture.  All of the mats will be arranged to optimize training in that room, and reconnected with new mat-tape.  A new layer of padding will also be added under the black mats to provide additional cushioning and extend the life of the Flexi-Roll matting.

With the COVID19 vaccines well underway all of the metrics including cases and hospitalizations are declining sharply across the US.  Massachusetts is doing very well and Berkshire county is especially good at this point.  At the time of this newsletter the average new daily cases in the Berkshires were reported as low at 5.1 per 100,000 people.  This is actually the best in the commonwealth.  More importantly the situation is sharply improving in recent weeks.
On Monday, March 1 the Commonwealth increased the allowed attendance in fitness facilities to 50% of their capacity.  For ZenQuest this means we can have as many as twelve students in each class.  This required us to reconfigure the training rooms a bit.  In the ‘Black Room’ where most of our Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai classes happen, we repositioned our Wavemaster punching-bags so that we can use the spaces closest to the entry and exit doorways.  In the ‘Blue Room’ we redrew the lines for the training spaces to accommodate two more students in each class.  Based on the 50% rule, we could actually have a maximum of 14 students per class, but we feel that its important to keep students more spaced out and make sure that everyone feels safe. 
On March 8 the Centers for Disease Control issued new guidelines for individuals who’ve been fully vaccinate against COVID19.  This includes new privileges for those vaccinated which can be applied to fitness facilities.  Based on this, ZenQuest will soon implement new rules for students falling into that category.  Part of this will be holding open mat sessions on Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM.  This will likely take affect by May 1st, provided the metrics continue in the current direction.  As a significant number of students become fully vaccinated, we will also begin to add other privileges for those individuals.  In order to qualify for these opportunities students will be required to show proof of their vaccinations.
We are proud of the fact that we have been open and running classes for eight months at the time of this newsletter and not had any issues.  Our strict safety policies have gone a long way towards keeping students and staff safe.  Of course, none of it would've worked without everyone’s cooperation...right down to our smallest students!  Not only has this all prevented spreading events at the school, but it has also avoided any problems with local authorities and consequences that could have resulted from that.
Based on the progress currently being made we are confident that we will be able to open fully and return to normal training within a matter of few months. This will likely continue to happen in stages with safety precautions lifted gradually.  Eventually we will be back to a fully open facility with free movement throughout the building.  We will also be back to a full spectrum of partner drills and training that so many people have missed for the last year.  This will also mean a return to special events like advanced trainings, and seminars with some of the most notorious figures in the martial arts.
Now is the time to begin ramping up our training to prepare for a return to full and open mode.  Along those lines we will start stepping things up in our classes so that everyone is ready when that does happen.  We will also continue to follow the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.  We need to stay focused and finish strong as we get close to the finish line on this thing.