Facts about Muay Thai and SelfDefense

Looking for a great starting place for self-defense I came across Muay Thai. My interest in learning more about Muay Thai lead me to different useful facts about the tricks that are involved in this art. It is very effective and has been very largely approved by people round the world. The national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai also known as 'Thai Boxing' actually originated for use in the battlefield by the Thai army.





In the arena of kickboxing the "King of the Ring" title refers to Muay Thai. The greatest proof of Muay Thai being practical for self defense is the application of the techniques in the wars. Gradually it spread all over the world as an entertaining sport and though earlier there were no specifically set rules gradually, rules were implemented.





Muay Thai as a self-defense strategy





The common relation that is mistakenly drawn between the Muay Thai is to that of kickboxing but in reality there is vast difference among the concepts of Muay Thai for self defense and kickboxing. Muay Thai though is basically a sport which is ring based and is great for self protection. Thus it is very effective and has been very largely approved by people round the world.





If you need to defend yourself from any sudden contingencies do learn the skill of Muay Thai as it will prove very sensible. Through this training you will be taught to defend your self and you will know how to shape up your body so that you can triumph over any assailant.





It is also true that undergoing the training is not any easy task. But if you succeed you can increase your level of self-defense skill to a great extent. You will learn the techniques and you will be using different weapons including punches, striking with the elbows and knee, and if you can use the low kick it can be quite devastating.





When you are defending yourself a great low kick at the rival's leg will be highly effective. In fact it is known that when you perfectly apply the process there is a possibility of breaking the femur bone of the assailant. Despite your efficiency level not being very high merely bringing the act into play can work effectively.





If you are acquainted with this form of art you can easily apply it for self defense since this art form is much handier than any other martial arts practiced. This is because while you are being attacked you may not have any weapon but your different body parts which can become a weapon through Muay Thai training.





If you want good self defense knowledge you must train with a good trainer and you will be able to learn the fighting system and how to counter strikes and strike back to cause damage to others when required. Also you will become much more self-confident and disciplined. You will also have to learn to have a high opinion of and respect for the other various martial arts forms like karate, judo, kung fu etc.

Orange County Muay Thai is brought to you by OC Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts Orange County's premier MMA gym. Located in Irvine, CA right near John Wayne Airport. Call (949) 833-8338 for more details

For Kung Fu training in the UK: Kung Fu Training

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Learn Some Kung Fu To Improve Your Golf Game

As a golfer for 30 years and a student of Pai Lum Kung Fu, I recognized that, although these are very different activities, you must develop similar skills to excel at either one. Both are total body sports that engage the mind.





First we will focus on flexibility. The more flexible you are, the more potential your golf swing will have, as you will be able to generate a longer golf swing with a wider arc, one of the major keys to increased power. Obviously, flexibility is very important to the martial artist. Again, the greater the flexibility in your technique, the greater the range of motion you may have, and thus, the greater potential for power. Also, greater flexibility helps prevent injury.





Next is strength. In both golf and the martial arts, you do NOT need to be super strong to have significant power. Huge muscles typically are not important to either activity. However, a decent amount of strength is clearly important. Traditional martial artists tend to work out the body in more traditional ways, without the use of heavy weights. This results in a lean and hard body, rather than a big and bulky body. A less bulky body allows the martial artist to maintain greater flexibility. This is also important to the golfer. We don't often see 250 pound linebackers who have a good golf game, but it is not uncommon to see a quarterback play golf well, not to mention a hockey player.





It is also important for the golfer and martial artist to be strong mentally. When in a fight, the martial artist must maintain his cool and composure at all times. By doing so, he will make few mistakes that his opponent may capitalize upon.





I am reminded of the early days of the UFC when Royce Gracie dominated that sport. He was often matched against opponents much larger than he (he usually weighed in at about 170 pounds). Typically, he would wait until his opponent would charge in and try to kick him to the head or body. This type of technique often results in less balance for a martial artist and Gracie would capitalize on this by moving in quickly to take his opponent down, then work into a position where he could choke out his opponent, or put him in a joint lock, forcing a tap out or a broken limb.





There is no other sport that requires you to be more mentally tough than in golf. That is why Tiger Woods is the best. He is simply much stronger mentally than any of his competitors, and that is why he often wins even when he is off his game.





In Kung Fu, we generate power by maintaining proper balance and being rooted to the ground. In the movies, you will see fighters leaving the ground and performing those fancy, jumping, spinning kicks. But, once you leave the ground, you lose power. If you watch any of the old Bruce Lee movies, you did not often see him leaving the ground when he finished off a kick or a punch. Occasionally, but not often.





In golf, the best players will keep their balance. This is the most significant factor to generating a powerful golf swing while maintaining consistent ball striking ability. Even when they swing hard, the professional will maintain good balance.





Finally, both activities require you to remain relaxed to perform at the best of your ability. If there is any excess tension, you lose power, flexibility and touch. That is why breathing and relaxation techniques play a crucial role in the mastery of both.





So, if you have the opportunity, go learn a little Kung Fu! I guarantee it will help your golf game!








Copyright (c) 2009 Scott Cole

Scott Cole is a golf instructor and 1st Degree Blackbelt in the art of Pai Lum Kung Fu. He is author of the ebook, "How to Increase Your Golf Power" and owner of the website, http://www.powergolftraining.net

For Kung Fu training in the UK: Kung Fu Training

Kung Fu training: Wing Tsun Kung Fu training