A Typical Class
Before we start any Muay Thai we need to warm our bodies up. This lowers the risk of injury. We use many methods to warm up. Shown here is skipping. All exercise in the lesson is geared towards Thai Boxing. Skipping, while being a good cardio-vascular exercise improves co-ordination, balance and improves a boxers footwork.
Once we have raised the bodies temperature, we then stretch. In our camp we use yoga, stretching and breathing techniques. Yoga involves passive stretching which is suited to Muay Thai. Passive stretching helps maintain the long slim muscle shape a Thai boxer needs, as opposed to the short muscle shape more commonly associated to body building. Yoga also improves flexibility and posture.
Shadow boxing is essential to Thai Boxing. Students can put together combinations used in sparring improving their footwork, balance and fluidity of their movement.
At the Soul of Sukhothai camp we teach traditional Mae Mai Luk Mai techniques. After being given instruction students working in pairs are given time to practice and perfect these techniques.
Striking Thai or focus pads gives students the opportunity to practice their Thai Boxing skills at full power. Using combinations involving punches, kicks, knees and elbows. Pad work helps build the fitness required to train and fight. It is a great cardio vascular exercise.
Taking down the power to a lighter level. Students don their protective equipment for sparring. Here students can put together their Thai Boxing skills, practicing elements they have learned during the class.
For a final cardio push. We have a short circuit at the end of each lesson. This may involve bodyweight exercises such as pressups and situps, a pad circuit or speed skipping.
We go back to Yoga for a final stretch to end the lesson. This stretch helps eradicate the lactic acid that builds up in our bodies during the class.