ZenQuest Martial Arts Center
Encyclopedia
ZenQuest Martial Arts Center, formerly called the Okinawan Karate School, is a martial arts
school located in Lenox, Massachusetts
. Originally founded in 1972 as a dojo
for Uechi-ryu karate
, the school has since expanded to include other martial arts, and currently provides instruction in Shohei-ryu
karate (a spin-off of Uechi-ryu), Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts
, Sityodtong
Muay Thai
, boxing
, and self-defense
. The school also contains a store which provides equipment, gear, and instructional media. It is a member of the Okinawan Karatedo Association and the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network, and has received significant coverage by local media in Berkshire County, including The Berkshire Eagle
, Berkshires' Best Buys, Business, and Beyond, and Pittsfield Cable Television.
, and was founded in 1972 by Sensei
Frank Gorman, who according to Berkshires' Best Buys Business & Beyond introduced Uechi-ryu karate to Berkshire County. Senseis Mark and Connie Flynn took ownership of the school in August 2002. They previously lived and worked in Albany, NY and ran a smaller dojo in Guilderland, NY. The Flynns purchased the school from Bob and Lisken Dus, who stated at the time that they were entering into retirement and would focus on providing support to the Flynns. In the fall of 2002, the Flynn’s widened the school’s curriculum to include Brazil
ian “Gracie” jiu-jitsu
. Mixed martial arts classes were added later. The Flynns traveled to Okinawa, Japan
in 2003 and 2007 for training with world leaders in Uechi-Ryu/Shohei-Ryu. During the 2007 trip Mrs. Flynn was promoted to 5th Dan, and both attended the 2007 All Okinawa Championships, a worldwide championship event. Sensei Connie took 3rd place in kata
, while Sensei Mark managed to reach fourth in kumite
. In 2010, due to renovation of the Pittsfield Plaza where it was located, the school relocated to Lenox Commons in Lenox
, where it changed its name from Okinawan Karate School to ZenQuest Martial Arts Center. Along with this relocation and name change the school updated classes to a full roster which includes Muay Thai, boxing, and self-defense classes.
promotions, and in 2002 was noted for helping a teen overcome disabilities.
In 2005, the dojo made the headline story in the The Berkshire Eagle
for hosting a special camp called “Tokkun 2005” at Cross Athletic Center at Miss Hall's School
. The camp featured visiting karate masters from Okinawa, specifically Senseis Shigeru Takamiyagi (9 dan), Toshio Higa (8 dan), Hirokuni Yamashiro (7 dan), and Sakae Uechi (5 dan), and in addition to local students in Berkshire County had additional students from more distant areas such as Florida
, New Jersey
, Michigan
, New York
, Vermont
, and Cape Cod
. Another event that received attention from The Berkshire Eagle was a visit from mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie
, who held a clinic at the dojo in 2009. The year before, 2008, another jiu-jitsu clinic had been held with Robert “Crush” Kahn.
tournament NAGA East Coast Championship in Springfield, Massachusetts
. The school took several wins, which are listed as follows:
. The school's wins are as follows:
karate, and is also an affiliate of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network and Team Sityodtong
.
. The school is also affiliated with Tetsushin Martial Arts Academy in Bloomingdale, New Jersey under Sensei Mike Torres.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
school located in Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Set in Western Massachusetts, it is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,077 at the 2000 census. Where the town has a border with Stockbridge is the site of Tanglewood, summer...
. Originally founded in 1972 as a dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
for Uechi-ryu karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, the school has since expanded to include other martial arts, and currently provides instruction in Shohei-ryu
Shohei-ryu
is a style of Okinawan Karate that is descended from Uechi-ryu, and hence from Pangai-noon Kung Fu. Following the 1991 death of Kanei Uechi, son of Uechi-ryu founder Kanbun Uechi, there was an organizational split and the directors of the Okinawa Karate-Do association officially created the name...
karate (a spin-off of Uechi-ryu), Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
, Sityodtong
Team Sityodtong
Sityodtong USA, also known as Team Sityodtong, is a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts training camp based out of Somerville, Massachusetts. The headquarters of Sityodtong Camp is in Pattaya, Thailand. Its Grandmaster is Yodtong Senanan and he has produced 57 Muay Thai Champions, the most number in...
Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, and self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
. The school also contains a store which provides equipment, gear, and instructional media. It is a member of the Okinawan Karatedo Association and the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network, and has received significant coverage by local media in Berkshire County, including The Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle is a daily newspaper published in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and covering all of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, as well as four New York communities near Pittsfield...
, Berkshires' Best Buys, Business, and Beyond, and Pittsfield Cable Television.
History
The school was originally based in Pittsfield, MassachusettsPittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Its area code is 413. Its ZIP code is 01201...
, and was founded in 1972 by Sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
Frank Gorman, who according to Berkshires' Best Buys Business & Beyond introduced Uechi-ryu karate to Berkshire County. Senseis Mark and Connie Flynn took ownership of the school in August 2002. They previously lived and worked in Albany, NY and ran a smaller dojo in Guilderland, NY. The Flynns purchased the school from Bob and Lisken Dus, who stated at the time that they were entering into retirement and would focus on providing support to the Flynns. In the fall of 2002, the Flynn’s widened the school’s curriculum to include Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian “Gracie” jiu-jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
. Mixed martial arts classes were added later. The Flynns traveled to Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 2003 and 2007 for training with world leaders in Uechi-Ryu/Shohei-Ryu. During the 2007 trip Mrs. Flynn was promoted to 5th Dan, and both attended the 2007 All Okinawa Championships, a worldwide championship event. Sensei Connie took 3rd place in kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
, while Sensei Mark managed to reach fourth in kumite
Kumite
Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata....
. In 2010, due to renovation of the Pittsfield Plaza where it was located, the school relocated to Lenox Commons in Lenox
Lenox
Lenox sells tabletop, giftware and collectible products sold under the Lenox, Dansk and Gorham brands. The company sells its products through wholesale customers who operate gift, specialty and department store locations throughout the United States, Canada and other countries, as well as through...
, where it changed its name from Okinawan Karate School to ZenQuest Martial Arts Center. Along with this relocation and name change the school updated classes to a full roster which includes Muay Thai, boxing, and self-defense classes.
Media coverage
The school receives regular coverage by The Berkshire Eagle and Pittsfield Cable Television, including the school’s annual hosting of a youth tournament and black beltDan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
promotions, and in 2002 was noted for helping a teen overcome disabilities.
In 2005, the dojo made the headline story in the The Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle is a daily newspaper published in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and covering all of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, as well as four New York communities near Pittsfield...
for hosting a special camp called “Tokkun 2005” at Cross Athletic Center at Miss Hall's School
Miss Hall's School
Miss Hall's School, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is a highly selective independent school for girls aged 14–18. It was one of the first girls' boarding schools established in New England....
. The camp featured visiting karate masters from Okinawa, specifically Senseis Shigeru Takamiyagi (9 dan), Toshio Higa (8 dan), Hirokuni Yamashiro (7 dan), and Sakae Uechi (5 dan), and in addition to local students in Berkshire County had additional students from more distant areas such as Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
. Another event that received attention from The Berkshire Eagle was a visit from mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
, who held a clinic at the dojo in 2009. The year before, 2008, another jiu-jitsu clinic had been held with Robert “Crush” Kahn.
Springfield, 2011
On June 4, 2011, several students of ZenQuest Martial Arts Center competed in the 2011 North American Grappling AssociationNorth American Grappling Association
North American Grappling Association is an organization started in 1995 that holds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in North America and Europe. NAGA is the largest submission grappling association in North America with over 46,600 participants world-wide. Including some of the top jiu-jitsu...
tournament NAGA East Coast Championship in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. The school took several wins, which are listed as follows:
| Name | Win | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Connor T. Faulkner | 3rd place | Mens No-Gi Keikogi or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro... Novice Fly Weight |
| Daniel Mazzeo | 2nd place | Masters No-Gi Novice Light Weight |
| Jedd L. Hall | 1st place / 1st place | Mens No-Gi Directors Expert Middle Weight / Mens Gi Directors Expert Middle Weight |
| Jordan Bradford | 1st place | Kids Gi Novice 50 to 59.9 lb (22.7 to 27.2 kg). 7 & 8 year olds |
| Rick Byers | 3rd place / 3rd place | Mens No-Gi Intermediate Light Heavy Weight / Mens Gi Blue Belt Light Heavy Weight |
| Robert Blessin | 1st place | Mens No-Gi Novice Welter Weight Division |
| Sherman Somerville | 3rd place | Mens Gi Blue Belt Light Weight |
Hartford, 2011
On July 30, 2011, students from ZenQuest competed in the NAGA Hartford event in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. The school's wins are as follows:
| Name | Win | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Loehr | 1st place | Gi Keikogi or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro... Advanced Teen |
| Connor T. Faulkner | 2nd place / 2nd place | Mens No-Gi Novice Bantam Weight / Mens Gi Novice Flyweight |
| Tony Riello | 1st place | Mens No-Gi Masters Cruiser Weight |
Northeast Championship, 2011
On October 15, 2011, students from ZenQuest competed in the NAGA Eastcoast Championship. The results are as follows:| Name | Win | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Bradley | 3rd place | Boys Gi 70 to 79.9 lb (31.8 to 36.2 kg) |
| Connor T. Faulkner | 3rd place | Mens Gi White Belt Fly Weight |
| Colleen Garrity | 2nd place | Girls No-Gi Beginner 115 to 129.9 lb (52.2 to 58.9 kg) 16 & 17 yr olds |
| Noah Farevaag | 3rd place / 2nd place | Boys No-Gi Novice 80 to 89.9 lb (36.3 to 40.8 kg) 9 to 11 yr olds / Boys Gi Beginner 80 to 89.9 lb (36.3 to 40.8 kg) 11 yrs old |
| Robert Blessin | 3rd place | Mens No-Gi Beginner Welter Weight |
| Stephen Taglieri | 2nd place / 2nd place / | Boys Gi Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lb (52.2 to 58.9 kg) 11 & 12 years old / |
| Timothy Somerville | 2nd place / 2nd place | Mens No-Gi Intermediate Bantam-Weight / Mens Gi Blue-Belt Bantam-Weight |
2007 All-Okinawa Championships
In 2007, Senseis Mark and Connie Flynn competed in the 2007 All-Okinawa Championships in Okinawa, which featured competitors from throughout the world. The results for the Flynns were as follows:| Name | Place | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Flynn | 3rd Place (Win) | Women's Kata Kata is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general.... |
| Mark Flynn | 4th Place (No win) / Competed (No win) | Kumite Kumite Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata.... / Kata |
Affiliation
ZenQuest Martial Arts Center is a member of the Okinawan Karatedo Association, which is located in Okinawa and is the worldwide governing body for Shohei-ryuShohei-ryu
is a style of Okinawan Karate that is descended from Uechi-ryu, and hence from Pangai-noon Kung Fu. Following the 1991 death of Kanei Uechi, son of Uechi-ryu founder Kanbun Uechi, there was an organizational split and the directors of the Okinawa Karate-Do association officially created the name...
karate, and is also an affiliate of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network and Team Sityodtong
Team Sityodtong
Sityodtong USA, also known as Team Sityodtong, is a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts training camp based out of Somerville, Massachusetts. The headquarters of Sityodtong Camp is in Pattaya, Thailand. Its Grandmaster is Yodtong Senanan and he has produced 57 Muay Thai Champions, the most number in...
.
Associated schools
A satellite dojo of the school, Dentoteki School of Karate (a.k.a. Dettor’s School of Okinawan Karate), is run by Sensei Christina Wells in Byram, MississippiByram, Mississippi
Byram is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,386 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place . It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was incorporated for a second time in its history on June 16, 2009.-History:Byram...
. The school is also affiliated with Tetsushin Martial Arts Academy in Bloomingdale, New Jersey under Sensei Mike Torres.