ZenQuest Martial Arts Center

About

The best facility, highest quality instruction, and friendliest training environment in the Berkshires! Call 413-637-0656 for a FREE trial.

Story

ZenQuest Martial Arts is your best source for a variety of martial arts in an environment of mutual support and respect. Each style offers an interesting exercise program, with great fitness and health benefits. Although they may have a different emphasis each style improves flexibility, strength, coordination, cardio-vascular capacity, confidence, self-discipline, relaxation, awareness, and stress reduction! Each program also provides effective self-defense skills. Since every student will have their own interest and goals, they may choose to focus on only one art, or be diverse in their martial arts experience.

Uechi-Ryu Karate is a dynamic “striking” art from Okinawa, Japan. Strategies of Uechi-Ryu include evasive movement, blocking, striking, sweeping, and throwing. Classes cover a range of material including stretching, conditioning, combinations, target drills and partner training. In addition to physical fitness, consistent training in Uechi-Ryu (a.k.a. Shohei-Ryu) enhances concentration, self-control, and the ability to focus! ZenQuest is an affiliate of the Okinawa Karate Association, and all rankings are certified by the that respected institution.

Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu is a highly effective “grappling” style developed from the ancient Japanese art. It consists of escapes, throws, sweeps, positioning, restraints and submission techniques. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is considered one of the best self-defense systems in the world, emphasizing the use of technique and strategy to overcome an opponent. This style is standard training for Mixed Martial Artist, law enforcement officials, and military organizations around the world. Classes include fundamental movements, strength and conditioning, partner training on techniques and strategies. ZenQuest is part of the Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu Association and rankings are certified by that group. Demian Maia is considered one of the best Jiu-jitsu competitors in history.

Muay Thai is an exciting kickboxing style from Thailand. Known as the "Art of Eight Limbs," this style makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, as well as clinching strategies, throws and sweeps. Classes include stretching, conditioning, target training, combinations, and partner drills. Muay Thai has been practiced for centuries, but recently has become one of the most popular striking styles in the world due to its effectiveness in Mixed Martial Arts. ZenQuest has an affiliation with Sityodtong of Boston, considered one of the best Muay Thai schools in the world.

Mixed Martial Arts consists of a blend of the best techniques and strategies from martial arts from around the world including Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Jiu-jitsu, and others. Training includes strength and conditioning drills, target and “bag” work for striking, take-down drills, and ground-fighting training. MMA provides an incredible fitness program and a rounded package of martial arts skills.

Private Instruction Whether for self-defense, competition, or to enhance your package of skills, private instruction allows you to tailor your training to your individual needs and circumstances. Private training gives you the freedom to focus on one particular martial art, or combine elements from different styles to suit your specific goals. You can also schedule your training according to your availability and pace of learning.

Special Events ZenQuest host a variety of special events including frequent seminars with world class instructors for Karate, Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Mixed Martial Arts. We also hold an annual children’s tournament, special clinics, classes for groups, and even birthday parties!

Facility: The ZenQuest Center provides a 4,300 SF facility that includes two large training areas, a fitness room, spacious locker rooms, a reception and retail area, and a comfortable lobby with WiFi. Students can also enjoy our private picnic and playground area. Hiking trails and a variety of shops, markets and restaurants are also only minutes away from ZenQuest.

Chief Instructors:
Connie Flynn has been studying martial arts since 1992. She holds a Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Uechi-Ryu/ ShoheiRyu Karate, and a Brown belt in Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu. She also has Certification in Sityodtong Muay Thai Kickboxing and additional experience in Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Chen Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga, Judo, Sports-fitness Training and Asian weaponry. In 2007 Connie placed 3rd in the women’s forms division of the World Championships in Okinawa. She has a Shihan/ Master Instructor Certificate from the Okinawa Karatedo Association, and is a certified Coach of Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu. She also has an M.S. in Education and is CPR Certified.

Mark Flynn has been studying martial arts since 1982. He holds a Nanadan (7th degree black belt) in Uechi-Ryu/ ShoheiRyu Karate, and a Black belt in Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu. He also has Certification in Sityodtong Muay Thai Kickboxing and additional experience in Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Chen Tai Chi Chuan, Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Judo, White Crane Kung Fu, Tiger Kung Fu, and Asian weaponry. Mark has competed in forms and sparring at the World Championships in Okinawa. He has a Shihan level Master Certificate from the Okinawa Karatedo Association, and is a certified Coach of Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu.

Competition Team
ZenQuest has a very successful Competition Team that has won countless awards in grappling, Pancration, Karate competition...and has a strong winning record in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts. In July of 2016 Matt Bienia of Team Z became the "Kaged Kombat" Lightweight Champion.

Support Team
A team of instructors provide support to insure a high quality learning experience for each student. For more information, please visit our website @ www.zenquestmac.com

Products

Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu (BJJ), Sityodtong Muay Thai (kickboxing), Uechi-Ryu Karate under the Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai, Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts and Ryukyu Kobudo (weapons)

We also have martial arts equipment, supplies and media!