Southeast asian martial arts – muay thai (thai boxing)

Southeast Asian Martial Arts – Muay Thai (Thai Boxing)

Muay Thai is a hard fighting martial art that resembles pradel serey, tomoi, and muay Lao from Laos. It is probably derived from muay boran and krabi krabong. Also known as Thai boxing or Thai kickboxing, it is the national sport of Thailand and enjoys worldwide popularity, thanks in part to a daily televised bout in Thailand and the movie Ong Bak, starring Tony Jaa in a feature that seamlessly blended acrobatic stunts and Thai boxing.

Muay Thai is often known as the art (or science) of eight limbs, because practitioners use eight points of attack: feet, hands, elbows, and knees. Western boxers by comparison use two points of attack (fists).

The first muay Thai fights

Exact information on muay Thai’s origins is sketchy, purportedly because the Burmese destroyed Siamese historical records in 1767. According to popular legend, “Black Prince” Naresuen of Siam defeated the Burmese crown prince in a single bout of muay Thai in 1560, which caused King Bayinnaung of Burma to abandon his attack on Thailand. In 1774, the first recorded muay Thai contest was held in Rangoon at a festival organized by Lord Mangra, king of Burma, to honor the Buddhist faith. A Thai boxer called Nai Khanom Tom defeated nine Burmese boxers in a row, impressing the king with his strength and agility.

Modern fights

Muay Thai fights are generally of five three-minute rounds, with a two-minute rest between each round. Ringcraft (fighting tactics and strategies), conditioning, and fitness are key. As in Western boxing, the referee can end a bout by giving a ten-second count to a knock-down, if he thinks a boxer is in particular danger, or if there have been three knock-downs during a single round.

Traditionally, fighters bound their hands in cloth, dipped them in glue, then sprinkled their fists with broken glass, bringing a frightening and bloody element to matches. This practice was stopped in 1929 and now most fighters wear European standard boxing gloves. Their hands are wrapped in boxing wraps to protect their fists and to harden them by compressing the bones. They also wear groin protection, shorts elasticated at the waist, and optional elasticated ankle supports.

Bouts are accompanied by music “si muay,” which is played by a four-piece orchestra consisting of “shing” (cymbals), “klong kaek” and “kon” (drums), and “pi Java” (a clarinet).

Ritual dance and fighting stance

In a prefight ritual dance (“ram muay wai kruh,” or “kruh,” for short). Boxers pay homage to their instructors and hex their opponents with black magic. They often make a loud hissing sound as they exhale air through their teeth, which helps to control breath, oxygenate muscles, and inspire confidence.

Their fighting stance resembles a Western boxer’s, except they hold their guard higher and slightly more extended away from their face to protect against elbow and foot strikes. Fighters tend to shuffle forward and back, leading with one foot. They turn their elbows inward to protect the body and to allow for guarding movements that protect the ribs during an onslaught.

Kicking and punching

The signature kick is the low-level roundhouse, or hook, kick at an opponent’s thigh. Designed to demoralize an opponent and restrict his mobility, it is often delivered with the shin and the toe hooked inward as opposed to a normal roundhouse in which the toe is pointed back. Boxers precondition the shin over many years by striking it against bamboo trees. Punching resembles the Western boxing techniques of jabs, crosses, hooks, upper cuts, and overhand head punches. Thai boxers use long-range hooks that close the distance after kicking and are often followed by a combination of close-quarter upper cuts, hooks, and jabs.

Cricket equipment for matches large and small

It is an Ashes year which means that there are going to be a lot of people taking a closer interest in cricket. This means more people will be encouraged to play the sport. Cricket is a popular pastime for many people but these major events will always have a positive impact on the numbers of participants and whether it is just a game with friends or looking to join an official team, cricket is sure to be the sport of choice for many people this summer. This means that as well as watching the game, people are likely to be interested in the array of cricket equipment that is available in order to be able to play safely and to have fun.

Cricket has a sedate image to many people but there is no doubt that it can be a dangerous sport. A cricket ball travelling at top speed after it has been bowled or struck by the batsman could cause serious damage and this is why so many people are interested in the safety elements of the sport. This means that cricket equipment includes a lot of products like padding, head guards, shin pads and much more in order to keep people safe if anything untoward does happen. Preventing injury is a major reason to buy a range of equipment for cricket but of course, the first focus should be on fun.

Although a full scale cricket match can be very large, it is possible to play a small game between friends in a much smaller space and with a reduced amount of cricket equipment. The basic needs are the ball, the bat and maybe some stumps, anything else will add to the enjoyment of the sport, but will not necessarily be vital to the participation. This can be seen in the wide array of products that are available for these items, ranging from soft and light balls to the official Test Match products. This should ensure that all age groups and fitness levels will be able to participate in cricket and get the enjoyment from the game.

This huge variety in cricket equipment is a major reason why so many youngsters are getting into the game at an early age and developing skills whilst growing up. As the equipment is created for smaller hands and to be less dangerous, it is possible for any budding cricketer to develop a confidence about the game and improve their technique. Considering that all sports want to develop their star players from an earlier age, having the ability to get youngsters involved and interested from a younger age is hugely important and this is something that cricket has worked on in recent years.

There is no doubt that cricket will always remain an extremely popular sport for all age groups and the abundance of cricket equipment will ensure that everyone finds the time and space to have a game, no matter of how serious the match happens to be, they will have great fun.

Fitness: better work out

Fitness: Better Work Out

1.Stop and Go

If you play a sport that requires a full sprint, remember that a full sprint strains the muscles of the lower body. To combat this, do stop-and-go exercises. For example, run 30 meters at about 80 percent of your effort, slow to a jog for five to 10 meters, then run again for another 30 meters. Repeat this process five times.

2.On bended knees

Almost 3 out of four ACL injury occurs when players are landing or turning. If your knees are bent instead of straight, the risk of injury is greatly reduced according to a report in the JAAOS (Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons).

3.Cool down

Heatstroke is not something that can be easily cured like headache. To avoid it, stay cool and hydrated. Be sure the combined temp an humidity is less than 160. This is according to Dr. Dave Janda of the IPSM.

4.Get the proper equipment

Badly fitting gears or ill sized equipment can be a cause of training injuries. The extra money spent on proper equipment goes a long way.

5.Do it the right way

Bad technique is just as bad as, well, bad equipment. Seek advice from pros and trainer, this advice are invaluable to your exercises or training.

6.Go West (or whichever direction)

If you’re playing or training in multiple directions, your warm up should also. Move sideways, backward, forward and all the motions you might be doing. This allows your body to be prepared.

7.Have yourself filmed

The camera doesn’t lie. Show your video to a person well verse in your training, so he can give a critic of your fitness regimen.

8.Loosen the shoulders.

Even a slightly injured rotator cuff can shut down the function of a shoulder. You might want to include stretching to protect your rotator cuffs.

9.take An early dip

Schedule your swimming sessions early. The less people in the pool means less of everything in the pool.

10. Protect yourself

Wearing custom-fitted mouth guards reduces the risk of injuries by as much as 82 percent, according to a study at UNC at Chapel Hill. Plunk out the cash for a custom-fitted mouth guard and it’ll last for years including your smile and teeth.

11. Smooth out your tendon

Inquire about ultrasound needle therapy. These procedure is minimally by using ultrasound to guide a needle. The needle smoothens the bone, breaks up calcifications, and fixes scar tissue. Thirteen out of twenty patients saw improvement, and the session takes only about 15 minutes of your time.

12. Buy your running shoes after work.

Shop in the evening, the feet are swollen after a day of work. It approximates how your feet will be after three miles of running.

13. Do off road running.

If the surface is unstable, it trains the ankles to be stable.

14. Know where you’re going.

Whether its biking, or skiing, be sure to have a dry run down any path first. A lot of injuries can be avoided when you’re familiar with the route taken.

15. Train hard.

Anxiety reduces your peripheral vision by three degrees and slows the reaction time by almost 120 milliseconds, according to an article of the Journal of Sports Sciences. When the going gets difficult, the veteran athlete rely on skills they’ve trained for and practiced. It keeps them cooler under pressure, widening their vision so they can see react much faster.

The essential rock climbing gear

The Essential Rock Climbing Gear

What catches your attention when you take a look at a photograph of a rock climber or when you visit a neighborhood fitness center are the shoes. Shoes happen to be one of the most essential gears in rock climbing. There is no doubt that a harness and a helmet are extremely important as well. Have you ever thought about the reason why there are special shoes for rock climbing? Well, basically they offer a mixture of both, good control and “adhesiveness”.

Shoes

As a novice the one thing you have to understand is that your shoes are going to get messed up to a great extent. This is mainly because you keep tripping and losing your balance constantly. You could also go online and carry out as much of research as you wish to. If you go to a good store, they could provide you with great guides on the various types of products, the purpose and what is ideal for you. You must choose shoes that are of good quality, do not make the mistake of buying the cheapest one.

There are a few things that you must keep in mind at the time of buying your shoes. Pricing is one thing you must take into consideration. You need not buy the most expensive pair of shoes. If this is the first pair, you could spend a reasonable amount; something between $40 and $65 all depending on your shoe budget.

Being comfortable the whole day is another thing you must take into consideration. When you advance and begin to climb more technically, you will have to wear special shoes, which would obviously cost more money and would not be very comfortable till you get used to the fit. However, at present even as your feet are learning the method and getting into the habit of the shoes, all you have to bother about is a shoe that offers you comfort the whole day.

Harness

When you choose a harness, you must be on the look out for a harness that is not very costly. You could buy a fantastic Singing Rock Rhythm Harness by paying only $45. A common rule is that at any time you put something on, a rope or a harness, you must have 6 inches to spare. You must understand that when you initially begin your climbing expeditions, you most likely would be spending a great deal of time ‘being seated’ in that harness, therefore it has to feel comfortable. As the harness gets more and more technical, the leg straps tend to be thinner. You must always try out the harness before you make your purchase.

Helmet

All helmets generally have to be of a particular standard and they fit in the same manner. A number of them have insides made of foam, while others have straps and deciding between them totally depends on what you prefer. While you try on a helmet choose one that is most comfortable. A helmet has guarded and saved a lot of climbers. When you begin to get better and begin to take up larger risks it simply is more practical to wear a helmet.

How you can benefit from karate and tae kwon do

How You Can Benefit From Karate And Tae Kwon Do

The martial arts are one of the fastest growing sports in America. Enrollments in Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Soo Tang Do classes are on the rise. In addition to being thought of for the physical fitness aspects, martial arts also seek to emphasize the student’s character and discipline. Offered in a secular setting, it teaches students to be ‘good people’.

With ever increasing popularity, many church communities are now offering Christian Karate. While character and discipline are important, more today a third aspect is integrated into martial arts, building the spiritual life of students. Churches are offering martial arts instruction that relates to God’s instructions in the Bible. These classes are often used as an outreach ministry to introduce the Gospel to those who normally wouldn’t attend a church service.

Classes emphasize courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance and an unconquerable spirit. These characteristics are key to the development in Christian life. Each week the students are given weekly topic and a memory verse. An example of what the students may receive would be a topic on Boldness vs. Fearfulness. They are taught to be confident that what they have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God. Acts 4:29 in the Bible would be relevant to this topic – ‘And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message’ (MSG).

These are key characteristics to develop in the Christian life. Self discipline, picking yourself up after ‘falling short’, ministering to others, and striving to live a life that bears fruit are traits can be practiced through the study of martial arts.

Martial arts do not teach violence, but rather restraint, not anger but rather self control and stillness. Students will develop their bodies through physical effort, challenge, and learn techniques of punching and striking. Power is given to us by God in the freedom of choice in our actions. Martial arts help us to learn that our privilege of power must be controlled and not used recklessly.

Students learn that one must ultimately fail many times before true success is achieved, and that greatness is achieved only through perseverance. The goal of the class is to develop students who take responsibility for their actions, understand the limits of rules and who show an increased level of self esteem. Many classes are interspersed with teachings from the Bible to link the character tenets of Martial Arts with Christian values.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of karate, tae kwon do, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Visit your local church or search online to find a group forming near you.

Tae Kwon Do is Korean Karate. It means The Way of the Hand and Foot (punching and kicking). There are basically four sections to the art: Toning, Sparring, Forms and Self Defense.

It is a well rounded exercise program that encompasses muscle toning, stretching and flexibility, increasing strength and stamina through aerobic sparring and mental challenges through becoming proficient at the patterns or forms.

Most classes start out with warm-ups. These exercises are the calisthenics such as push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, trunk rotations, squat kicks and various leg stretches. For certain you will tighten your abs and strengthen your arms just from performing the warm-up exercises. Before you know it, you’ll be doing fifty knuckle or triangle push-ups at rapid-fire pace and will be able to lean up against a wall and have someone lift your leg up so that your toes touch the wall behind your ear. Tae Kwon Do will definitely help you to become or to stay limber.

Sparring is fighting in a controlled environment. It’s not street fighting and all participants wear protective gear: helmet, gloves, shin guards and feet guards, called kicks. Usually you will spar in three minute rounds. It’s basically kick boxing. Then a minute rest; switch partners, then spar again and repeat. You will get extremely hot and sweaty. Jab, punch, upper cut, side kick, reverse punch, round house, hammer fist, bob and weave and repeat. It’s an excellent aerobic exercise.

Learning the forms or patterns can really tax your brain. Many of the forms have 26+ different movements. It’s your job to remember them, in order, and learn them proficiently. In theory, by learning the forms, it’ll help you to become a better fighter. For example, one form might start out: high block, front kick punch left; high block front kick punch right. Turn 90 degrees, down the center, knife hand left, knife hand right, knife hand left, spear hand. And so it goes. If you master these, when it comes time to spar, you can implement some of these patterns into your match.

Many people enjoy Tae Kwon Do, or any martial arts for that matter, because it is an all inclusive exercise program. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it’s an excellent way to get in or to stay in shape. As with any exercise program, start slowly and consult your physician. If you haven’t participated in much physical exercise in a while, your muscles will definitely be very sore for the first few weeks. Don’t be intimidated by the other students may appear to be in better shape that you are. Everyone started out as a white belt. Just have fun; and get moving!

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of karate, tae kwon do. Share your new understanding about karate, tae kwon do with others. They’ll thank you for it.