Thai Boxing - The English Translation of Muay Thai

Thai boxing is the English translation of Muay Thai, Thailand's national sport. This form of boxing is a form of hand-to-hand combat that was adapted from the Thai army. Boxers in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. areas are becoming more and more interested in this form of boxing.

Thai boxing in early Muay Thai bouts put companies of the Siamese army against one another with very little rules, weight division and time limits. However in the early 20th century it was determined that boxing gloves and rules were needed to regulate the sport for more modern times. After these rules and regulations were implemented the sport began to be exported from country to country. Today, hundreds of thousands of people enjoy the sport for self defense reasons and for competition.

Training in Thai boxing includes kicks, grappling, head-butts, punches, elbows and knees being used in an effort to wear down or knock out their adversary. The training helps develop power, speed and cardiovascular health. It is considered an art form that calls on the bodies own natural weapons to create a competitive fighting style. It is used not only in the ring as a competitive sport but also by military and law enforcement agencies as well as self defense instructors.

This type of martial arts combines Thai boxing hand techniques with almost any natural weapon your body has such as: feet, elbows, knees, legs, head and shoulders to deliver powerful blows to an adversary. It is known specifically for its power, effects, simplicity and conditioning. In addition, it renders the Thai boxer a physical fit body with self control and an understanding of how the ancient Thai boxers must have felt when fighting for their own self defense.

When first entering a Thai boxing class, the beginner will learn the basics and concentrate on the proper form. They will learn defensive strikes, the proper footwork and simple combinations of simple strikes. This is the perfect class for a young child of about 7 years of age.

A normal Thai boxing class is fast paced and concentrates primarily on the traditional Muay Thai. The art of using strikes from hands, feet, elbows and knees to defend themselves in the ring as well as outside of the ring. This class of Thai boxers can become a strong ring fighter in a relatively short period of time.

Mixed martial arts are a combination of different martial art traditions. It includes styles of Thai boxing, Kali-Silat from both the Philippines and Indonesia and jujutsu and judo from Japan. This class is used to give students a variety of fighting styles. Students are taught to defend themselves in a variety of situations and be given the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest such as striking, grappling, clinching and other moves associated with mixed martial arts.

Talk to instructors at one of your local Thai boxing schools to see if Thai boxing may be the sport you are looking for. Maybe even attend a tournament to see all of the skills that Thai boxing provides.

In the Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC area, you can check out Lloyd Irvin's, Mixed Martial Arts Academies. You have the benefit of signing up for a 30 day free trial. What better way to get started on Muay Thai Boxing than this!