One
and a half years ago seem like another lifetime.
My wife and I were expecting our second child,
I had just started a new job, and I began taking
an interest in Martial Arts. Having fancied myself
as a “tough guy”growing up, children
and inactivity had turned me into an old man
at 23 years old. My desire to change finally
overcame my apathy after watching an amazing
event called K-1. The Internet became my tool
for researching K-1; it’s fighters, and
the disciplines they practiced. For weeks my
search went on and it led me to some conclusions
about striking. First, Muay Thai is the king
of all striking forms. Second, striking is difficult
to learn. Last, the Thai’s do it better
than anyone does. Some of the people I met on-line
sent me videos of real Muay Thai from Thailand
and I was hooked.
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Joshua
Stall
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My
connection with Master K (Kumron Vaitayanon)
was a critical moment in my development as a
person and as a Martial Artist. A wonderful Martial
Artist named Bill Stevens brokered our initial
meeting (www.stevenskarate.com). He is accomplished
in Jiu Jitsu and various forms of striking. One
day in passing, he mentioned a great Muay Thai
class that had started in his gym. It felt like
fate had intervened on behalf of Muay Thai.
Amazement is the word I would use to describe my first Muay Thai
class. His knowledge and passion for teaching Muay Thai made up
for what Master K lacked in stature. His technique was perfect
and so was his instruction. As he made his way around the class
he would point out intricate details to improve everyone’s
technique while managing to give individual advice too. The seriousness
and passion in his voice could only be conveyed by a former fighter,
which he is, with over 70 victories in his Muay Thai career. You
would think that 50 years of practicing Muay Thai would take its
toll on a body but Master K has more energy than any of his students.
Technique is paramount in Muay Thai. Without the body working as
one you cannot perfect or even practice Muay Thai. Good technique
begins on the ground with the feet. Stay on the balls of the feet
to let your body rotate freely and generate the needed power for
punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Foot technique allows you to
pivot and move defensively. If the feet are the wheels of Muay
Thai, the hips are the steering wheel. As the hips turn, technique
will follow. Offensive and Defensive movement depend on how quickly
the hips can turn. Once hip movement is mastered, the student can
parry, feint, check, and generate power. The back is the other
essential element in Muay Thai. The back should always stand tall
to control the shoulders. When kneeing and kicking, throw your
back away from your opponent to fully use your power. Punches and
kicks will be more powerful when the back is utilized properly.
Always use the body as a whole in Muay Thai.
Master believes that successful Muay Thai is based on the Push
Kick. It is a defensive and Offensive weapon. Good defense wins
fights so use the Push Kick to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm
and balance, this will negate his offense. Push Kicking the legs
will keep your opponent from setting his feet; thus his power is
diminished. Push Kick his hip to make him lose his balance. Push
Kicking the body and face causes pain and will deplete his energy.
The Push Kick wins fights therefore it is Muay Thai’s most
important technique.
Master K has been teaching me Muay Thai for over a year. He is
the catalyst for a drastic change in my life through “The
Art of the Eight Limbs.”I feel blessed to have met and worked
with such a wonderful teacher and human being. Through countless
hours of training he has shown a love for Muay Thai and his students
by opening his home to them 7 days a week. Chris O’neil and
I have been able to train twice a week at his home for the past
year. From 9am to 11pm he is available to us. When I master Muay
Thai, I will fight to honor Muay Thai, Master K and myself. It
is my job as a Muay Thai student to expose others to the wonderful
I have received. This is a gift that truly keeps on giving.
Special
Thanks To: Master K, Suriya Sak Muay Thai,
Chris O’neil, Bill S, Louis, Ron, Augustino,
Art, Collis, Steve R, and Mark.
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