Beneficios de las Artes Marciales

Beneficios de las Artes Marciales


Las artes marciales han existido por muchos siglos y partieron de la necesidad de mejorar las condiciones físicas de las personas, luego fueron adaptadas a la guerra y a la necesidad de sobrevivir. Hoy en día, aunque algunas tienen un sentido muy a lo deportivo, es una mezcla de muchas cosas. No se puede pensar en artes marciales como algo absoluto: para defensa personal, para deporte o para disciplina. Es un poco de todo. El que comienza a practicar artes marciales solo para defenderse se desilusiona, porque se da cuenta que no es sino luego de muchos años que lo logra; cuando al mismo tiempo puede ver en la calle gente que se “Defiende” muy bien sin alguna vez haber practicado alguno. Las artes marciales giran hacia varias cosas: Beneficios físicos: Todas las AM (Artes Marciales) generen beneficios al cuerpo de las personas, les da fuerza en los músculos, huesos y articulaciones. Les permite tener mejor respiración y sistema inmunológico. También obtienen agilidad y flexibilidad, al igual que mejor agudeza visual.

La persona que practica AM, normalmente no tiene una musculatura fuerte a lo Jean Claude Van Damme, es mas bien del tipo Jet Li o Jacki Chan, sencillos delgados y con una agilidad y fuerza escondidas bajo su físico aparentemente normal. De hecho los músculos grandes interfieren sobremanera con los movimientos de las técnicas de las AM. Beneficios mentales: Es relativamente fácil para alguien ganar una pelea en la calle, o defenderse, para esto no hace falta mucho entrenamiento. Sin embargo una persona que en momentos de estrés pueda calcular, dosificar y manejar a su antojo sus movimientos y pensamientos es lo que logra un artista marcial con mucho entrenamiento. Y esto no es solo para la eventual pelea callejera, también para la compleja vida de las personas. Los momentos de estrés pueden ir desde el presentar un examen difícil, pasando por el ir a una entrevista para obtener el trabajo soñado o los momentos donde mas hace falta el enfoque y concentración de las personas.

Beneficios Sociales: Pues si, los beneficios de las artes marciales no son solo para el individuo. Al mejorar el individuo, mejora la sociedad. En un centro de enseñanza marcial la persona aprende disciplina, respeto por los demás, eficiencia y eficacia, trabajo en grupo y liderazgo. Todos estos elementos se forjan en el cuerpo y la mente de los practicantes, y no solo lo deben dominar dentro de su entrenamiento, sino casi automáticamente en la vida real, haciéndolos mas seguros de si mismos, concientes de las debilidades y fortalezas propias y de otros, y de su papel dentro de la vida misma. La recomendación es: aprenda un arte marcial. ¡Los beneficios son muchos, los sacrificios no son pocos, pero siempre son recompensados!

Boxing Techniques - The Right Cross

The right cross will soon become your favourite punch because this punch is thrown from your preferred hand which is usually the strongest.

From the guard position, the right cross is thrown in a straight line to the target and comes back in a straight line to the chin. Unlike the jab which is more of an arm punch, the right cross is powered by a twisting motion of the torso and pivoting of the right foot. As the punch accelerates, twist your hips and pivot on your right foot so your right heel swings outwards.

The right cross is a power punch but because of the weight transfer it can also leave you exposed without a boxer’s stance for a split second. This is why it is important to return back to guard as quick as possible.

You should never lead with your right cross - instead, probe your opponents defences with your jabs, create an opening then throw your right cross with power.

Practice the right cross on the heavy bag, using a light left jab to measure the distance, after the heavy bag, move onto a more mobile target like the focus pads, concentrate on maintaining your balance as the punch makes contact.

Keep practising and remember to visit UK Boxing Store for quality boxing equipment.

Boxing Techniques - The Jab

The first punch a boxer will learn is the Jab. The jab is your “Bread and butter” punch and should be practiced over and over again. The Jab can be used to keep your opponent at a distance and to score points at long range or medium range, not only scoring points and discouraging your opponents from moving in but it also sets him up for a powerful right cross.

Most Trainers will tell their fighters to “Fight from behind the jab”.

Start in a boxer’s stance, both fists relaxed and palms facing each other, your right hand closest to your chin and your left hand approx 4 inches in front, (opposite for southpaws). The jab is thrown with the leading hand in a straight line towards your target and it comes back in a straight line to your chin. As the jab leaves the guard, the fist gradually clenches, rotates a quarter notch (palm facing downwards) and is fully clenched just before impact. DO NOT make the common mistake of dropping your right hand when you throw the jab because you will leave an opening for a left hook counter.

The jab is the busiest punch in boxing, although not considered to be a power punch, it can cause a lot of damage over the course of a bout. A boxer can learn to “Stiffen” his jab by turning his hips with the punch and stepping in as it is delivered.

What to do if someone wants to fight you!

What to do if someone wants to fight you!
by Martial Simons


Do you even know the difference between kung fu and karate? The danger today - You! Can you even throw a punch? When the World Turns VIOLENT! I bet you run. The enemy may be next door - afraid to look? Help me, Im fat, lazy and afraid of a bully. Are you martially in danger?

All titles to bring on that chilling fear inside and solicit a response - so read on..

ITS DANGEROUS OUT THERE

Its dangerous out there and especially for you..

The enemy may be next door and you dont know it but you got to have the guts too look. What can you really do once you see some violence or get scared or worse because you receive a bashing or king hit - do you hide in your house?

TV today scares the shiit out of many people as it promotes violence and turns the meek yellow and nervous.

The danger today is maybe not too obvious to you but you better hone your sensors or you'll get hit without seeing it coming.

You know that given a situation to be a hero and stop a crime, terrorism or violence you'll be able to step up or chase after them etc - or maybe you'll cower or be the victim.

Were are you on the scared meter of life? Are you out there amongst it or a bit of a shy body or house mummys boy?

PHYSICAL COMPETENCE

Have you ever seen raw violence or someone getting 'owned'? Just search google for "martial street fights" - "martial owned" Watch those movies and cringe!!!

http://www.google.com/search?q=martial+owned

http://www.google.com/search?q=martial+street+fights

Kung Fu, Boxing, dancing, balley, incompetance? What will you display to your attacker?

Can you throw a punch or even stand steady on one leg? can you do a round-house or even give a kick to the knee? Ever heard of a combination?

Today we are lazy, probably fat too.. Go look in the mirror and skip for ten minutes, then check your image again and what do you see?

I can judge I am probably half the strength and endurance form 10 years ago, how about you?

MARTIAL KNOWLEDGE

a martial art is defined as - 1 : of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior 2 : relating to an army or to military life 3 : experienced in or inclined to war : WARLIKE

http://www.martialarm.com/information/martial-arts-definition.html

a martial art is defined as: various styles of self-defense, usually weaponless, based on techniques developed in ancient China, India, and Tibet.

http://www.martialarm.com/information/martial-arts-definition.html

If you've never studied a martial art, your awareness of them most likely starts at Bruce Lee movies and ends with the stylized theatrics of The Matrix. If that's the case, you may not realize from what you've gleaned onscreen that there are an estimated 200 unique kinds of martial arts, and within these, thousands of different styles. Karate, judo, kung fu, and tae kwon do are among the most popular and well-known of the martial arts in the U.S., but there are numerous others.

Despite the array of martial arts and styles, most of them share common techniques, and so they can be organized into broad categories that facilitate understanding. The primary way of classifying martial arts is by the basic physical technique they use: striking or grappling.

Because karate, judo, kung fu, and tae kwon do have been more prominent than other forms in popular culture, from film to sporting events, many people mistakenly believe that all martial arts are Asian in origin. In fact, diverse cultures throughout history from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East have also given birth to their own martial art forms.

Or a combination of triangles with small circles as can be seen in chinese trapping, wrist locks or Aikido entry and endings.

Do you even know the diffference between kung fu and karate? Do you think wing chun is a chinese dish?

The different styles can even be related to shapes or geometry - squares, triangles and circles.

MARTIAL TRAINING TO LIVE

Training is hard..really hard. The most hard is to get started and its down-hill easy from there. What you need is a martial arts machine - something new and exciting to get you off your fat ass.

Search for it - martial arts machine - http://www.google.com/search?q=martial+arts+machine

Everyone knows someone who knows how to fight - with fists, knives, weapons, guns, tactical, sensless, whatever but START!

Or find a martial arts school in your area - http://www.google.com/search?q=martialarm+schools+directory

GO to the local phone book and look up kung fu or karate. Then give them a call, go along or take your kid.

Whats important now is to do something, start with brief excercise, get into stretching, shadow box, then step up and train hard.

CONCLUSION IS ACTION

Life is not scarey but maybe your lack of skill, self confidence and personal competance is making you petrified.

Be pro-active and look, then choose and participate in action whether alone with a martial arts training machine or go to a dojo.

Life is not scarey but maybe your lack of skill, self confidence and personal competence is making you afraid.

If you are not liking what you see in the mirror, afraid to go down a dark street, scared of a potential confrontation then train now.

Be pro-active and look, then choose and participate in action whether alone with a martial arts training machine or go to a dojo.

We cant all be Bruce Lee but you also dont want to be an emotional and physical punching bag do you?




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Different Types of Boxing Gloves

Boxing training can be a great way to socialise, exercise, maintain and improve your fitness levels. Having the right kind of equipment is essential.

Boxing gloves come in a variety of sizes, materials and colours.

Leather gloves are recommended for training, although leather may cost a little extra, they will last longer. For fitness classes, this may not be an issue, but for punching the heavy bag, focus pads and even sparring it is more important.

For professional boxing, you will see gloves tied on with laces, this provides a snug fit for the boxers. For training purposes in the gym, Velcro wrist straps are more popular as you can easily put the gloves on and remove them yourself, with laced boxing gloves, you will need someone around to put them on and take them off.

Having the right size gloves is also important. Boxing gloves come in small, medium and large sizes. The average man will need a large size and the average woman a medium. The weight of boxing gloves range from 10 - 20 ounces, children boxing gloves range from 4 - 8 ounces.

The heavier the glove, the more protection it offers. Beginners are recommended to use 12oz 14oz or 16oz gloves. For sparring purposes, 16oz gloves are standard. In a professional boxing match, the fighters usually wear 10oz gloves.


When training, always wear hand-wraps to provide extra protection for your knuckles, wrists and the small bones in your hand.

Never use worn out gloves, try to change your boxing gloves at the first signs of wear.

And finally,

ENJOY YOUR TRAINING!

Mixed Martial Arts - All The Rage

Mixed Martial Arts - All The Rage


MMA means Mixed Martial Arts, and it consists of grappling, striking, and submission fighting. Mixed Martial Arts is sweeping the country and the sports world. Mixed Martial Arts is both a style and not a style simultaneously. Mixed Martial Arts, in its simplest definition, is a mixture of different martial arts styles. History:Once upon a time in the year of 2006 in a city called Tampa an explosion occurred between man and mixed martial arts.

As a result from this explosion a company was created called Mixed Martial Arts World Fighting Championships (M. Mixed Martial Arts incorporates the best of well established Martial Arts. MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts and has been around in the US since the early 90's; but not until recently has it exploded in popularity, and many times these days it beats both boxing and professional wrestling in pay per view buys.

The rising interest in mixed martial arts is tied to Ultimate Fighting, which changed its ways to gain acceptance. Well if you re like me, you don t follow the sport of mixed martial arts other than free replays of cage fights on FOX Sports at midnight when the wife and kids are soundly asleep. I think the world needs to be educated on mixed martial arts. The Ultimate Fighter "Rage in a Cage" Mixed Martial Arts is a combat sport in which two competitors attempt to defeat each other by potentially utilizing a wide variety of fighting techniques, including striking and grappling.

Muay Thai Training Techniques

Muay Thai is a Thai mixed martial art form. It has many techniques of fighting. While using Muay Thai techniques, also known as "Mae Mai Muay Thai," fighters use the entire body including fists, elbows, shins, feet and knees.



The basic Muay Thai training techniques include punch techniques (jab, straight right/cross, hook and uppercut), elbow techniques (horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying) and kicking techniques (push kick, roundhouse kick, etc.). The following are some special Muay Thai techniques:



The Clinch

This technique is exclusively used in Muay Thai fights. While combating the fighter applies this technique by holding his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. It is known as Thai clinch.
To apply the clinch, the fighter has to hold his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. The fighter also has to press his forearm against his opponent's collar bone while his hands are around the latter's head rather than his neck.



A common clinching technique used in Muay Thai fights is to just tap the head downward then give a throw. The fighter can also throw the opponent to his left in case the latter is using a knee from the right. It can cause the opponent to lose his balance.

The Kru

This is a tough technique. A new fighter takes a lot of training and hard work to learn this technique. The technique is provided by the fighter s Krue or Thai boxing training. The trainer makes the fighter work hard and learn the technique. It is a tradition for the fighter to express his respect to his trainer through a ritual called Wai Kru.



There are some elements that are part of Muay Thai training techniques. These include:-



Running A trainee has to run 18 km running per day (around 12 km in the first half and around 6 km in the second half).
Stretching The trainee has also to do stretching for around 20-30 minutes. It improves muscular elasticity and reduces the stretch reflex.
Shadow boxing This training includes around 20 minutes of shadow boxing. Shadow boxing is usually practiced in front of a mirror.






Muay Thai training takes a lot of hard work. To become a good fighter young people have to go through a lot of physical and mental strain. It takes sheer dedication, commitment, and never-say-die attitude that a trainee transforms himself into a sound Muay Thai fighter.

Boxing Gloves

Boxing Gloves


During the original inception of the use of boxing gloves, their primary use is to protect the knuckles of the fighters. However, in recent years the padding requirements of boxing gloves have increased. The first boxing gloves were eight ounces; today the boxing gloves used in boxing leagues are ten ounces. The original function of protecting the fighter s knuckles is still in effect, but now the extra padding is used for a different reason: to protect the opponent from an easy knockout. The extra padding will force the boxers to use extra strategy instead of pure brute force.

The primary technique of boxing is to use your hands to strike your opponent with as much force as you possibly can. Your hand contains many bones, and if you hit a surface wrong you could break those bones. Today, most trainers will not allow you to train without some from of protective gear. Hand wraps are used to help keep the bones in your hands secure. Boxing gloves are used to protect them from blunt force trauma. This protective gear allows boxers to throw punches with more force than normal during training with minimal risk of injury.

The first recorded use of boxing gloves was 1863 when the Marquees of Queensberry rules were drafted. The purpose of these gloves of fair size was to make knockout victories more difficult to achieve. Because of this, boxing bouts became longer, and strategy became more important than pure brute strength.

With the drafting of these rules and adaptation of safety equipment like the boxing glove, the formation of professional and amateur boxing leagues began to form, and governing bodies were created to enforce the rules. This is the reason why boxing has become internationally recognized as a sport.

SYBCG Cardio Kick Boxing

What is Cardio Kick Boxing? Cardio Kick Boxing, a unique and challenging fitness program, is a martial arts/aerobics hybrid that was originally done by Kick Boxer working to condition and cordinate their skills. Cardio Kick boxing combines Karate, boxing and dance disciplines and puts them together in a challenging program set to up beat music. A typical one-hour class consists of a series of jabs, punches, kicks, knees and steps, combined in a series of ten-count combinations. We vary the patterns with a goal to give evryone a quarlity workout.

The name, Cardio Kick Boxing, is a combination of other words. "Cardio" means cardiovascular exercise "Fitness" and it relates to the whole body and includes kicks and lower body part of the workout. The goal is to raise the heart and work all the muscles of the body. "Kick Boxing" comes from boxing and the upper body punches that are an integral part of the workout. Set to the upbeat music, Cardio Kick Boxing can be a very satisfying workout because it engages the entire body.

Who can participate? Cardio Kick Boxing is for anyone who wants a complete workout. But more than just exercise calorie and fat-burning exercise Cardio Kick Boxing offers a workout for the entire body. As with any new exercise program, you should always consult your health care provider first before embarking on it. Cardio Kick Boxing can be done at your own rate. As you build strength, you can do more and you can increase your level of physical fitness and self confidence, SYBCG officials say. Many women are attracted to the program as a form of strength building. Since Cardio Kick Boxing is set to music, and the fact that we keep it fun. it's a lot of fun. You build strength while enjoying yourself.

In addition, while Cardio Kick Boxing shouldn't be considered a self-defense course, you can learn defensive moves through it because the program uses imaginary opponents as targets. Plus we cover the ways to punch and kick etc.

How soon can you see results? According to many of the students, some people report feeling a change in their body the very first time they do the program and they begin to see results in as little as few sessions. Others report change over several weeks. Everybody is a little different and individual results vary.


How often should I do Cardio Kick Boxing? First, as with any fitness program, check with your physician to make sure you can start an intense workout program. Cardio Kick Boxing can be done everyday or a couple of times a week. For maximum benefit, like any other cardiovascular program. Beginners are advised to start slow and build up their endurance. Cardio Kick Boxing is challenging and requires use of your entire body. Don't get discouraged if you get tired quickly in the beginning. The entire idea of cardio Kick Boxing is to maximize the benefits by incorporating the entire body into the workout.

Essential Tips for Beginners in Jiu Jitsu

Essential Tips for Beginners
During my journey into grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I have come across several principles and pieces of advice which have greatly accelerated my progress. I often find myself wondering just how much further ahead I would be today if I had known of them at the start of my training. It is for this reason that I try to ensure that the beginners I teach and my private clients are aware of them at the start of their grappling careers. The tips below are the ones I feel are most significant for the beginner. Prepare your body for training No matter what anybody tells you, you need a certain basal level of strength and fitness to get the most out of jiu-jitsu. You do not play sports to get fit - you get fit to play sports. The fitter you are, the more relaxed you will be during the sparring segment of your classes and therefore the more your mind will be able to absorb. A good level of cardiovascular fitness will speed up your recovery between sparring matches and between training sessions themselves. Resistance training and the increased muscle hypertrophy and joint strength it brings will go a long way in the prevention of jiu-jitsu related injuries. Contrary to popular belief, an expensive gym membership and a bunch of machines and equipment are not a necessary requirement for getting fit. All you need is your own body, a small space and a degree of willpower. I will be including sample workouts in future posts to this blog. Leave your ego at the door Your ego can be a great (if not the greatest) hindrance to your progress as a grappler. As a beginner you will tap often. Nobody likes to submit in front of the other students and spectators at their academy. Acknowledge that it is your ego that causes this discomfort and then do everything you can to overcome it. Accept the fact that you will be dominated and beaten regularly during the initial stages of your training and embrace it as part of the process. The time will come when you are the one causing the others to submit, but before then you will need to pay your dues. But remember that you should not be doing jiu-jitsu to learn to dominate people and prove that you are the toughest guy around. You should be doing it to learn about yourself. Try this as an exercise in gaining control of your ego: Make it your mission to be tapped fifteen times at your next class. Bizarrely, this will actually make you a better fighter. Firstly, because you will come to not fear tapping anymore, you will begin to relax alot more during your sparring. As we know, there is direct correlation between how relaxed you are and how quickly you will learn. Secondly, by letting opponents put you in compromising situations and submissions you will quickly become familiar with them. This familiarity will ensure that you are more composed and hence more likely to escape if and when you are faced with these situations during competition. Focus on the basics When you begin training it may be overwhelming trying to memorize and incorporate all the techniques you learn into your game. There is something you must understand and that is that you do not need a thousand different moves to be good at jiu-jitsu. There are so many grapplers out there who can demonstrate hundreds and hundreds of techniques as well as the counters to them and even the re-counters to those. Most of these guys cannot put even a fraction of this technical knowledge into practice against a resisting and determined opponent. A technique only becomes a skill once you can use it successfully in a fight. As Bruce Lee said, "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." Replace 'kicks' with 'armlocks' or 'chokes' and the same holds true for grappling. After 8 years of training I still find myself coming back to the most basic movements and techniques and trying to refine and tweak them to reflexive proficiency. As a beginner you should take a handful of simple things and work on them until they are part of you. Focus on the high percentage, fundamental moves such as the snake/shrimping motion and the bridge. This will ensure that you lay a solid foundation for your entire game. Work on the things you find difficult After many years of training it will be more difficult to break bad habits and correct weakness you have developed. If you are intelligent, you will not allow the these negative tendencies to take hold when you start training. Overspecialization breeds weakness. If you are someone who loves to fight from the top and has no bottom game, sooner or later in class or competition you will meet someone who you cannot dominate from the top and your lack of ability on the bottom will cost you. If something is difficult for you, make it your focus. For example, if you hate playing from the guard, make it your number one priority during training. Try to get your opponent into your guard whenever possible and work from there. If you are diligent and can accept that you will have your guard passed many times in the beginning (leave your ego at the door), soon your guard will become strong. This applies to all positions and techniques. For more tips and lessons visit http://www.LloydIrvin.com/ - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, Virginia and DC's own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program.

Kick Boxing - General Background

Kick boxing is a relatively modern martial arts system, who syllabus derived by combining several fighting techniques from a variety of the more traditional disciplines, including Kung fu, Kyokushinkai Karate, Muay Thai, Kyokky shinkai and Tae kwon do.

History:

Martial arts boomed during the early 1970s and interest was greatly increased by their emphasis on competition fighting. Chinese styles of fighting began to take a more westernised form in the UK, and even more so in the United States, where the first real freestyle systems were beginning to be created. Indeed, many people claim that Kick boxing originated in the US during the 1970s. This, they say, was due to various American Karate practitioners becoming frustrated with the limitations of tournament competitive scoring. While Karate and the other disciplines were viewed as being entrenched with theories and set kata, and were performed in a controlled environment, practitioners wanted to see how effective their moves would be in a more realistic environment. Great emphasis began to be placed on specialised techniques, such as kicks and punches, being delivered with full force. Although full contact Karate was already established, concerns were expressed for the safety of competitors.

Development:

There is a close affinity between Kick boxing and Muay Thai. While it is believed that the Americans had created this concept in their attempt to find a sport that could refine full contact competition, it is believed that the development of Kick boxing was borne out of the World Kick boxing Association finding common ground between Eastern and Western fighting cultures.

It is also believed that Joe Cawley, Don and Judy Quinn, along with Howard Hansen, a Shorin ryn Karate black belt, were the initial promoters of Kick boxing and worked together for improved recognition. Hansen took Kick boxing a stage further by introducing fights in a boxing ring rather than the usual Karate tournament bouts. He became known as a ring matchmaker, staging a variety of successful events with stars such as Bill "Superfoot" Wallis.


New rules evolved and were introduced into Kick boxing, most notably weight divisions - from fly weight to heavy weight - similar to those in traditional boxing. A down side to the discipline in those early days was criticism of a high risk injury. This led to improvement in the safety rules, such as contestants wearing protective clothing to cushion the impacts of the blows.

Coping with anxiety through martial arts

"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill." -- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

A lot has been said about martial arts. There's a lot punching, kicking, and wrestling involved -- all considered as systems and tools of brutal force. This notion or preconceptions about the martial arts were developed, in a large measure, due to films and movies that depicted the combative arts as a means of inflicting violence. But in reality, the true aim of martial arts is quite exactly the opposite. At the core of every fighting philosophy are the values of valor, chivalry, nobility, self-control, and self-sacrifice. This art form is not just about fighting, combat, or self-defense. Martial arts philosophy stresses that people should live in peace and harmony. It also emphasizes respect for self and others, compassion, and a high regard for physical and moral excellence. In its purest form, the martial arts is practiced to achieve strength and enlightenment of the mind, body, and spirit.

For thousands of years, different people from different cultures have practiced and propagated their own system of martial arts. These unique forms of self-defense and philosophies include the following: · Karate (empty hand) · Muay Thai (Thai boxing or kick-boxing) · Tae Kwon Do (foot hand way) · Wing Chun (forever spring) · Silat (to fend off) · Aikido (the way of harmonious spirit) · Judo (gentle, soft way) · Yaw-yan (dance of death) · Jeet Kune Do (way of the intercepting fist) · Jiu-jitsu (the soft, pliable method)

Spiritual Benefits

True achievement in martial arts is not gaining the force and skill to smash bricks, cement blocks, baseball bats, and blocks of ice. Neither is it the privilege of wearing different colors of belts nor the prestige of winning sparring championship titles or tournament trophies. The real value of martial arts is in helping individuals harness their natural physical strength and innate goodness of character. The power within-- the elevation of the spirit and the mind. The spiritual side of the martial arts is not religious in any sense but more closely related to the practice of ethics and philosophy. Spirituality in the martial arts is manifested in several training methods and techniques which includes breathing and relaxation drills. According to experts, these drills may help reduce stress and anxiety. Engaging in martial arts also helps people in their battle against emotional, physical, and mental stress and ailments. The deep breathing exercises, similar to the techniques of yoga, produce a calming effect on a martial artist. The inhalation of oxygen and the concentration involved in meditative execution of martial arts routines serve to relax the body and provide "stillness" in the mind during practice. In many martial arts schools, the promotion not only centers of the defensive aspects but also for the benefits of martial arts in coping with anxiety. Long-time martial arts practitioners attest that physical training has helped them deal with depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, and other related illness. To some degree, one can even "shout away" both stress and anxiety during a punching or kicking exercise.

Mental Benefits

Today, martial arts therapy is used as an unconventional treatment for children or adults with social anxiety disorders. Also known as social phobia, this condition refers to excessive, long-lasting anxiety due to various fears, worries and apprehensions. In general, people with social anxiety disorder have an intense fear of being judged or ridiculed by others. People with this condition may often be found in isolation or may only have very few friends. Through martial arts training, people with anxieties may be taught to improve their social skills at the same time as they learn self-defense. These individuals are also taught to develop self-respect and respect for others. By attending self-defense classes, people with anxieties slowly gain confidence and develop healthy relationships with other people in and outside the class. Regular martial arts practice not only provides skills in self-defense. More importantly, it restores or improves the self-image of the practitioner.

Some precautions in practicing martial arts In general, the martial arts is an excellent means to achieve physical fitness and spiritual health. But if it is practiced carelessly or without proper instruction, the physical activities and routines involved in martial arts training may cause harm or injury. Certain very strenuous movements may put a high stress on the muscles and joints. It is also very important to give special attention to stretching. Stretching regularly to maintain or increase flexibility helps lower the risk of injuries.

Indeed, the martial arts has a deep meaning and philosophy. It is a centuries-old way of training a fighter --- how not to fight, which is a paradox in the art and science of combat. These days, it is now one of the most popular means to attain physical health and to control stress and anxiety. But just like everything else in life, martial arts can be used either for good or for bad. For the serious practitioner, determining the proper and safe ways of training is as important as gaining the true, philosophical aims of the martial arts.

Muay Thai Boxing - History And Overview

Muay Thai is an international professional sport and a fighting art. Known as the "King of the Ring" in kickboxing circles, Muay Thai is an art of fighting that originates from Thailand and is their national sport.

Whilst still very much a sport based in Thailand, Muay Thai Boxing is now gaining acceptance in America and the rest of the western world, with local and international tournaments hosted a lot more frequently. The Thai fighters are very tough opponents to beat due to their technique and conditioning, however the rest of the world is catching up, claiming victories against some of Thai's best.

Modern Muay Thai fights are fought in a ring, very similar to the western boxing matches. Perhaps the most attractive and interesting aspect of Muay Thai is the crowd of spectators that gathers to see a match. With techniques including kicks, punches and the extensive use of knees and elbows, Muay Thai is often referred to as the science of 8 limbs.


Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and it dates back 3000 years Muay Thai was used by the Thai military for unarmed combat training. Many modern Muay Thai fighters have taken up the sport as a career path. I think it has gained such popularity, especially in Thailand, because many Thai national people saw it as a way to make a good living if they were successful at it. You have to remember the average income in Thailand is pretty low, so the attraction to earn a lot more money doing something they love and are good at was strong.

Fighting Strategies of Muay Thai is the first book to reveal actual fighting strategies and tactics as taught in the boxing camps in Thailand. As you may expect, the conditioning regimen in Muay Thai is legendary for its intensity and rigorous demands. This is an age old question; which fighting style is better? Everyone who practices Muay Thai will say Muay Thai is better and the same with Karate.

Muay Thai kickboxing is no longer a man's sport, with many women nowadays coming to boxing gyms to train for fights, get fit, tone up and learn self defense. Muay Thai is not about throwing wild punches. It teaches crisp strikes that are fast and dangerous. If you have watched a Muay Thai fight in real life or on TV, you would know that while Muay Thai is famous for its leg kicks, the great fighters turn to the neck kick for knockout power. The key to beating the opponent in a Muay Thai fight is shin kicks, delivered in roundhouses to the legs, ribs, and head.

History of Muay Thai or Thai Boxing

The Siamese developed their own writing system in the early 1200s which makes it difficult to obtain information on the early history of Thailand as well as Muay Thai. It is known that martial arts resembling Muay Thai have long been practiced throughout much of Southeast Asia. The origin of the Muay Thai can be traced back to the older Muay Boran ("ancient boxing"). This was the form of unarmed combat probably used by Siamese soldiers in conjunction with Krabi Krabong, the weapon-based style[1]. Since Thai culture was based on that of India, China and Cambodia, they would have had an influence on local martial arts. Indian boxing arts such as Adithada remarkably resemble both Muay Boran and Muay Thai and it has been said that every move in Muay Thai has a similar equivalent in Shaolin kung fu. Muay Boran was divided to:

Muay Korat (Northeast) emphasized strength. A technique like "Throwing Buffalo Punch" was used. It could supposedly defeat a buffalo in one blow. Muay Lopburi (Center region) emphasized movements. Its strong points were straight and counter punches. Muay Chaiya (South) emphasized posture and defense, as well as elbows and knees. Muay Pra Nakorn (North) emphasized speed, particularly in kicking. Because of its faster speed, it was called as well "Ling Lom" (windy monkey or Loris). There is a phrase about Muay Boran that states, "Punch Korat, Wit Lopburi, Posture Chaiya, Faster Thasao. (????????????? ?????????? ????????? ????????????)". It was from all these regional styles that the more general term Muay Thai (Thai boxing) was developed.

It grew in popularity among common people, so much so that it was said that any man worth his salt would practice the art. As well as continuing to function as a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, it became a sport in which the exponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. This kind of muay contests gradually became an integral part of local festivals and celebrations, especially those held at temples.It was used as entertainment to kings.

Royal Muay Muay gradually became a possible means of personal advancement as the nobility increasingly esteemed skillful practitioners of the art and invited selected fighters to come to live in the Royal palace to teach muay to the staff of the royal household, soldiers, princes or the king's personal guards.

Some time during the Ayutthaya Period, a platoon of royal guards was established, whose duty was to protect king and the country. They were known as Grom Nak Muay (Muay Fighters' Regiment). This royal patronage of muay continued through the reigns of Rama V and VII.

The Muay Renaissance The accession of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a Golden Age not only for muay but for the whole country. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king's personal intrest in the art. The country was in peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, recreaction and personal advancement.

Legendary Heros Nai Khanom Tom was a famous practitioner of Muay Thai. Around 1774, he was captured along with other Thai prisoners, either in a skirmish or at the fall of the ancient capital of Siam of Ayutthaya. He was brought to Rangoon in Burma, where the Burmese King Mangra was holding a religious festival in honor of Buddha's relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment. King Mangra was reported to be curious to see how the various fighting styles of Burma and other countries would compare. At one point, he wanted to see how Muay Boran would compare to the Burmese art Lethwei. Nai Khanomtom was selected to fight against the Burmese champion. Nai Khanomtom did a Wai Kru pre-fight dance which puzzled all of the Burmese. When the fight began, he charged out and using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, quickly pummeled the Burmese.

The referee was reported to have stated that the Burmese opponent was distracted by the Wai Kru, so the knockout was invalid. The King then asked if Nai Khanomtom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought them all, one after the other with no rest periods between fights. The last Burmese was reputed to be a great boxing teacher. Nai Khanomtom defeated them all in a superior fashion.

King Mangra was so impressed that he remarked, "Every part of the Thai is blessed with venom. Even with his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents. As his lord master was incompetent, the country was lost to the enemy. If his lord had been any good, there was no way the City of Ayutthaya would ever have fallen."

He granted Nai Khanomtom freedom along with either riches or two beautiful Burmese wives. Nai Khanomtom chose the wives as he said that money was easier to find. He then departed with his wives for Siam. Other variations of this story had him also winning the release of his fellow Thai prisoners. His feat is celebrated every March 17 as "Boxer's Day" or "National Muay Thai Day" in his honor and that of Muay Thai's.

Today, some have wrongly attributed the legend of "Nai Khanomtom" to the King Naresuan, who was also once taken by the Burmeses.


References : Muay Thai The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Text-book of Pahuyuth) , Panya Kraitus and Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus, Third Edition, Special Revised, 1992, Panya Kraitus, Phuket, Thailand. Muay Thai Kickboxing - The Ultimate Guide to Conditioning, Training and Fighting, Chad Boykin, 2002, Paladin Press, Boulder, Colorado. Thai Kickboxing For Beginners - Peter Belmar, 2006, Lulu Press. Muay Thai: A Living Legacy - Kat Prayukvong, 2006, Spry Publishing Co., Ltd. From Wikipedia