Mastering Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand – The “Art of Eight Limbs”

Do you love martial arts or are you on the lookout for a new workout regime? If the answer is “yes”, then Muay Thai is a sport well worth learning! The great thing is, you could combine such an activity with a holiday to Phuket.

What is Muay Thai

First some background; known as the “art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai actually dates back to the 18th century and was used as a traditional form of martial arts. Today, it has become a combat sport with a huge following in Thailand with stadiums packed with locals cheering on contestants.

Supervised Training

As with learning any new sport, getting the proper training and guidance is a must and should not be substituted by YouTube videos! Due to the sport’s popularity, some Phuket resort properties including the likes of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas offer personal Muay Thai training in their own kickboxing ring.

The Eight Points of Contact

To master Muay Thai, you need to learn to utilise the eight points of contact; to do this you have to incorporate your fists, elbows, knees and feet. The more combinations you learn the better you become at offence and defence.

The Complete Fighter

While learning Muay Thai in Phuket will most probably not be done in the hopes of beginning a career in the sport, the more you master it the better you will appreciate it. To do this, you will also need to engage in body conditioning and strength training which provide a complete workout that you can hopefully continue back home too.

 

Muay Thai: The Perfect Martial Art – The Art of Eight Limbs

Muay Thai is an ancient sport which has fast gained popularity and fame in the world of mixed martial arts for its raw simplicity, tremendous power, and maximum efficiency.

An Easy Sport to Learn

This particular combat sport is best known for its simple techniques which can be learned by both adults and children. In Thailand, the common practice is to enrol kids as young as five, so they can get a good head start in the art.

Highly Effective in Self- Defence

Muay Thai is among the few martial arts which have proven to be street certified through countless real-life encounters. Apart from strikes, the sport incorporates many throwing techniques, kicks and locks using the opponent’s momentum.

A Great Anaerobic and Aerobic Workout

The sport promotes a high level of toughness and fitness by providing aerobic workouts with exercises such as shadow boxing and running. Endurance is built through anaerobic exercises such as kicking and punching. With regular training, the sport will build up a practitioner’s dexterity, strength, and cardiovascular performance.

Strengthens Body, Mind, and Spirit

In addition to physical conditioning, the discipline of the mind through the effective control of feelings and emotions is promoted. Those interested in the sport can join one of the many Muay Thai workshops and camps hosted regularly by mixed martial arts school in Thailand. Accommodation can be found in many a Phuket resort including the likes of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.

 

Experience Muay Thai Boxing in Phuket – National Sport and Deadly Martial Art

One of Thailand’s famous exports is the martial art of Muay Thai. In a very short amount of time, Muay Thai went from a fairly obscure style to one of the most notoriously lethal forms of combat.

Background

Muay Thai is currently one of the most popular martial arts in the world and, when combined with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, results in the most common iteration of MMA (mixed martial arts). Although the world only heard about it recently, Muay Thai is part of Thailand’s heritage.

History

It is believed that this form of combat was born out of the conflict that took place in the 15th century with the Burmese. The most historically famous Thai boxer is ‘Nai Khanom Tom’ who supposedly defeated nine Burmese fighters in single-combat in a fight for his freedom.

Boxing Matches

Muay Thai boxing matches are a matter of national pride, and are definitely something you should experience on a visit to Thailand. If you’re staying at many of the boutique hotels in Phuket with examples such as Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, there’s bound to be an event taking place nearby.

Reputed Stadiums

There are many places in Phuket to indulge in some quality Muay Thai tournaments, such as Patong Boxing Stadium. The most famous Muay Thai stadium in the nation however, will always be Lumpini Boxing Stadium.

 

Muay Thai Kick Boxing in Phuket – Pick up a skill on holiday

 

Phuket is a well-known island off mainland Thailand and is regarded as one of the most exotic beach destinations in the East. Planning a beach holiday and still want to keep yourself active than just lie about on the beach ? Muay Thai Kickboxing is a great way to do so. Why not pick up a skill while on holiday? Most 5 Star Resorts in Phuket offer complimentary or paid Muay Thai Kickboxing lessons to its guests. One such noted place in the island is Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. If not, there are various Muay Thai camps spread across Phuket to get yourself familiarised with Thailand’s national sport.

The martial art sport is believed to have had it’s origins in the 15th-century wars with the Burmese. The sport has evolved over the years to minimise injuries and to make it safer, however, it is to date regarded as one of the fierce unarmed combats. The Muay Thai matches are a spectacular event for onlookers both local and international alike. The cheers and the grandeur of the beginning and end of the match are worth checking out if you don’t mind a bit of violence. The matches are accompanied by wild musical performances and ceremonial starts and ends as well as the respect paid to the coach by the participant is also a highlight event as when the participant enters the ring he performs a dance known as “Ram –Muay”. Each of the participants kneels down and bow three times as a mark of respect to their teachers.

Each fight is made up of five rounds each lasting three minutes. All parts of the body except the head is used to strike the opponent and the common blows consists of high kicks to the necks , elbow thrusts to the face and head among others.

Even if you don’t want to get involved in the sports when in Phuket it is worth being a spectator at one of these spectacular matches.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+