AdamS.
12-19-2006, 03:56 PM
It looks like this forum has been quiet for a while, so I thought I would add my contribution.
I’ve recently started studying Muay Thai, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find out how much RMAX can contribute to my newly found hobby.
I am studying with Steve Whittier, owner of NEXUS Martial Arts in Wareham, Massachusetts, and a trainer from the Sityodtong Muay Thai Academy in Boston. When I say “Muay Thai,” I’m referring specifically to Sityodtong Muay Thai. As with all traditional martial arts, there are hundreds of variations. Sityodtong is the only Muay Thai I’ve practiced, so I can’t speak of any other schools.
Contemporary MT is a sportive branch from Krabi Krabong, an empty hand and weapons combat system that was used by Thai warriors for hundreds of years. MT is also known as the “Art of the Eight Limbs:” fists, elbows, knees, and kicks (two of each ;)). A typical match is broken down into five three-minute rounds. Each match begins with the Wai Khru, a traditional dance to pay respect to the teacher. Points are awarded for technique, dominating the opponent, offensive and defensive ability, and knock downs. (All those must be accomplished using traditional Thai boxing techniques.) Almost the entire opponent’s body is a target: Head, torso, upper leg (inside and out), and lower leg (inside and out). Throws are allowed, but no points are awarded for them. The only throws allowed are ones that keep the opponents facing each other and do not involve the typical wrestling and judo holds or throws (i.e., hip throws or an outer leg reap). (I wish I had a better definition than that. I can demonstrate it, but I’m not sure how to explain it. I’m sure someone has a better definition.) As would be expected, biting and eye gouging are fouls, as is deliberately striking the groin, or deliberately falling on an opponent. A match can be won by KO, TKO, doctor’s stoppage, or decision.
One thing that I’ve really been happy with is how natural MT is. By that, I mean that there are no unrealistic stances, there are no strange variations on punches or kicks, all the techniques can be applied directly to a MT match, and all the strikes use the natural movement of the body and its momentum. Also, instead of strength, there is an emphasis on slow and heavy delivery of the strikes. (Speed has more emphasis for advanced students, but for practicing and learning the techniques, slow and heavy delivery is most important.) Most of the strikes are delivered in a manner similar to a whip: With a round kick, for instance, the whole body is the “handle” of the whip, and the leg is the end of the whip. In order to accomplish that, joint mobility and release of tension is paramount. Not only does the hip and knee need to be relaxed, but the whole body does. The entire body rotates over into the kick before the leg even makes contact. For a knee strike, the hips need to open up, and again, the entire body rotates into the strike before the weapon lands. It’s the same with punches and elbows. The whip analogy works for all the strikes. Yes, all systems emphasize using the whole body for strikes. The MT technique is different in the whip analogy. It’s hard for me to explain beyond that, but it feels different whether delivering or receiving the strike.
That’s about all I have to offer at this point. Like I said, I’m still a Muay Thai newbie. The CST system has already helped me with the tension release and body awareness needed to learn the techniques. As for sparring and contact, the philosophy seems to mirror the slow progression in FlowFighting™. That as opposed to the "weeding out" (beating them to a pulp and seeing who sticks around) that unfortunately happens in many schools. So that's certainly a plus :D
I’ve recently started studying Muay Thai, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find out how much RMAX can contribute to my newly found hobby.
I am studying with Steve Whittier, owner of NEXUS Martial Arts in Wareham, Massachusetts, and a trainer from the Sityodtong Muay Thai Academy in Boston. When I say “Muay Thai,” I’m referring specifically to Sityodtong Muay Thai. As with all traditional martial arts, there are hundreds of variations. Sityodtong is the only Muay Thai I’ve practiced, so I can’t speak of any other schools.
Contemporary MT is a sportive branch from Krabi Krabong, an empty hand and weapons combat system that was used by Thai warriors for hundreds of years. MT is also known as the “Art of the Eight Limbs:” fists, elbows, knees, and kicks (two of each ;)). A typical match is broken down into five three-minute rounds. Each match begins with the Wai Khru, a traditional dance to pay respect to the teacher. Points are awarded for technique, dominating the opponent, offensive and defensive ability, and knock downs. (All those must be accomplished using traditional Thai boxing techniques.) Almost the entire opponent’s body is a target: Head, torso, upper leg (inside and out), and lower leg (inside and out). Throws are allowed, but no points are awarded for them. The only throws allowed are ones that keep the opponents facing each other and do not involve the typical wrestling and judo holds or throws (i.e., hip throws or an outer leg reap). (I wish I had a better definition than that. I can demonstrate it, but I’m not sure how to explain it. I’m sure someone has a better definition.) As would be expected, biting and eye gouging are fouls, as is deliberately striking the groin, or deliberately falling on an opponent. A match can be won by KO, TKO, doctor’s stoppage, or decision.
One thing that I’ve really been happy with is how natural MT is. By that, I mean that there are no unrealistic stances, there are no strange variations on punches or kicks, all the techniques can be applied directly to a MT match, and all the strikes use the natural movement of the body and its momentum. Also, instead of strength, there is an emphasis on slow and heavy delivery of the strikes. (Speed has more emphasis for advanced students, but for practicing and learning the techniques, slow and heavy delivery is most important.) Most of the strikes are delivered in a manner similar to a whip: With a round kick, for instance, the whole body is the “handle” of the whip, and the leg is the end of the whip. In order to accomplish that, joint mobility and release of tension is paramount. Not only does the hip and knee need to be relaxed, but the whole body does. The entire body rotates over into the kick before the leg even makes contact. For a knee strike, the hips need to open up, and again, the entire body rotates into the strike before the weapon lands. It’s the same with punches and elbows. The whip analogy works for all the strikes. Yes, all systems emphasize using the whole body for strikes. The MT technique is different in the whip analogy. It’s hard for me to explain beyond that, but it feels different whether delivering or receiving the strike.
That’s about all I have to offer at this point. Like I said, I’m still a Muay Thai newbie. The CST system has already helped me with the tension release and body awareness needed to learn the techniques. As for sparring and contact, the philosophy seems to mirror the slow progression in FlowFighting™. That as opposed to the "weeding out" (beating them to a pulp and seeing who sticks around) that unfortunately happens in many schools. So that's certainly a plus :D