The ZenQuest Martial Arts Center has provided quality Martial Arts instruction for the residents of the Berkshires and surrounding areas since 1972. Known as the Okinawan Karate School in Pittsfield until 2010, ZenQuest now offers a large “state-of-the-arts” facility with a wide variety of the best martial arts available.
We place a heavy emphasis on providing the most authentic programs and healthiest environment possible, so that each student can receive high quality training and achieve their goals in the martial arts. ZenQuest provides, without a dought, the best facility and highest quality martial arts programs in the Berkshires!!
Training Room 1
History
ZenQuest originally opened on Lyman Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts back in 1972 as the Okinawan Karate School. Back then, Sensei Frank Gorman provided a dynamic program of Uechi-Ryu Karate (primarily for adults) which quickly became popular in the area. In 1993 the school moved to the Pittsfield Plaza on West Houastonic Street in west Pittsfield and developed a healthy children’s program.
In 2002, Instructors Mark and Connie Flynn took ownership of the school.* Based on their extensive experience, the Flynns began to
Training Room 2
offer additional programs at the school to keep pace with an explosion of interests in various martial arts around the world! Today ZenQuest provides classes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts…while maintaining the most authentic Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karate program in the area.
| ZenQuest Martial Arts Center is located at: | |
| Lenox Commons PlazaBuilding 1055 Pittsfield Road (U.S. Route 7) Lenox, MA Email: zenquestmac@sprynet.com Phone: (413)-637-0656 |
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Chief Instructors
Mark Flynn 
- Kyoshi Nanadan (7th degree black-belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Brown-belt Demian Maia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- 4th Kyu Ryukyu Kobudo
- Additional experience in:
- Muay Thai
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Chen Tai Chi Chuan
- Praying Mantis Kung Fu
- Judo
- White Crane Kung Fu
- Tiger Kung Fu
- Yanxin Chigung
- Boxing
- Certified Shihan (Master Instructor) Okinawa KaratedoAssociation
- Certified Coach Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu
- Competed in Kumite and Kata at All Okinawa Championships 2007
Connie Flynn 
- Rokudan (6th degree black-belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Brown-belt Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu
- Additional experience in:
- Muay Thai
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Ryukyu Kobudo
- Judo
- Certified Shihan (Master Instructor) Okinawa KaratedoAssociation
- Certified Coach Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu
- 3rd Place Women’s Kata, All Okinawa Championships 2007
- M.S. in Education
Support Team
Ronald Hammond
- Renshi Rokudan (6th degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
Senseis Mark and Connie (left) preparing to teach at a university in Okinawa with Master Hirokuni Yamashiro (right)
Michelle Moreau
- Yondan (4th degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
Rick Nichols
- Yondan (4th degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
Brendan Kelly
- Yondan (4th degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu
- Additional experience in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts
- Successfully Competitor in Karate, Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts
Leo Daly
- Sandan (3rd degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Additional experience in Boxing, Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu
Chris Mattoon
- Sandan (3rd degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu
Connie Flynn promoting a Jiu-jitsu student
Karatedo
- Successful competitor in Open Karate Competition
Beth Yanuskiewicz
- Sandan (3rd degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Additional experience in Jiu-jitsu
- Masters Degree in Education
Justin Bolio
- Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Additional experience in Jiu-jitsu
Colleen Garrity
- Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karatedo
- Additional experience in Jiu-jitsu
- Successful competitor in Karate and Jiu-jitsu Tournaments
-
Mark Flynn receiving 7th Dan in Okinawa, Japan
Jedd Hall
- Purple belt Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu
ZenQuest’s picnic and playground area
- Has placed in grappling competitions several times
- Shodan (1st degree black belt) Kodokan Judo
- Additional experience in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts
Edwin Castro
- Experience in Muay Thai
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu
- Additional experience in Ninjitsu
- Successful competitor in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts
-
Sensei Connie Placing 3rd in the 2007 All Okinawa Championships
Ben Robert
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu
- Additional experience in Traditional Jiu-jitsu and Tae Kwon Do
- Successfully competed in Jiu-jitsu Tournaments
Ryk Byers
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu
- Has placed in grappling competitions
- Additional experience in Boxing, Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do
Timothy Somerville
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu
- Has placed in grappling competitions
- Additional experience in Boxing, Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do
Tom Aube
- Blue Belt Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu
- Extensive experience in Boxing
- Additional experience in Kickboxing, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do
Neil Von Flatern
- Experience in Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu, Boxing and Muay Thai
Coach Mark with Jiu-jitsu students and Instructors
- Has placed in grappling competitons
* The Flynns purchased the school from Bob and Lisken Dus (who had owned the school since 1987) with the understanding that the Dus’ were retiring from the business. At that time the Dus’ pledged to provide support to the Flynns in their operation of the school and “Technical Support” to the more senior students. Almost immediately after the transition of ownership the Dus’ abandoned that plan, resulting in infighting and rebelion among the students and poor retention. Ultimately, the Dus’ abandoned the school completely and opened another competing school in the same area.