Class Descriptions

Muay Thai is a traditional martial form of kickboxing, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs”. It is the national sport of Thailand is larger and more popular than all of our American sports combined. Translated, to literally means ‘Thai Boxing’, Muay Thai combines Western style boxing with kicks, knees and elbows. Muay Thai also engages in clinch, a form of stand-up grappling where both boxers use knees and elbows, to strike and bind the opponent. The Clinch often times uses the forearm to apply pressure and leverage to their opponents’ face, neck and collarbone; the clinch also looks to place the opponent off balance, delivering knees to the torso.

To the average bystander, Muay Thai appears a brutal yet effective martial art. Muay Thai contains so much more than just violence. The sport requires mental, physical, and spiritual training and preparation for any competition.

History of Muay Thai

Muay Thai has origins in muay boran, which is known to have existed as early as 1500 CE in Thailand, and was a fighting technique for use in warfare. The technique, later was placed into a contest between two opponents, their hands and forearms bound with hemp rope in the same manner one wraps a boxers’ hands today.  Spectators were brought in to witness matches, and Muay Boran was born. Some legends indicate the ropes were also dipped in glue and then glass!

In the 18th Century, a battle waged between the Burmese (modern day Myanmar) and Siam (modern day Thailand). During this war, a famous Thai fighter Nai Khanom Tom was captured (1767). His reputation as a fierce combatant was known through Burma and Siam, and because of his reputation, he was given an opportunity to fight to earn his freedom. He was given 10 Burmese opponents, and fought one right after the other with no rest. He defeated all 10 easily and was granted his freedom. He returned to Siam victoriously and recognized as a hero. It was then that modern day Muay Thai was born.

 

Muay Thai Classes

• Fundamentals of Muay Thai
  • Technique will win over speed and power any day. This class is for entry level members with no experience, as well as our amateur and professional fighters. Learn and hone your stance, footwork, and technique. Gain confidence in the “Art of Eight Limbs” as you refine your punches, kicks, knees and elbow technique.
• All Levels Muay Thai
  • This class will focus on specific techniques and strategies effectively used in Muay Thai. Working with a gradual progression, we will focus on effectively employing body positioning, use of varying speeds, developing power and different fight styles.
• Advanced Muay Thai
  • Progressive class for those interested in sparring and/or fighting. This class focuses on practicing drills and technical (light) sparring. Participants will need 12 oz gloves (or larger), shin pads, mouth piece, and protective cup (males). Attend with permission of instructor
• Sparring 
  • Focused on competition preparation, this class brings all the technique together. We practice and enforce controlled sparring–emphasizing technique and speed. For advanced students and by invitation only.