SPACEDOODLE

Hello! So I tried this the other day and I noticed how it quickly transitioned to pad work. At least, that is what my training partner noticed a few hours after working on the mirror. What I noticed was that I would be leaning too far forward on my crosses and not rotate my hip enough. I would also focus on my frame to make sure my elbows would not be fanning out while I throw a jab or cross. Hooks are proving a little troublesome for me, as I do not really know what to look out for in terms of correct/incorrect technique. I just know some hooks "feel" good while others "feel" bad. I want to try this but I do not know if my gym would allow it. I'll have to talk to my coach and see if we cannot try it. I noticed I would "break the frame" on knees and teeps with the mirror. But, I am not entirely sure how to correct these except trying to over-compensate with my hips and leaning back more on the teeps. Not entirely sure how to address the body leaning I observed in the mirror. Maybe it is simple conscious movement and making sure I do not lean one way or another while teeping or throwing knees? I dunno. Thanks so much for the advice, everyone! This really helped and made my life a whole lot better!

Hello all! Hope this post finds you well! I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the use of a mirror prior to shadow boxing or even hitting the bags. I ask because there is a nice big mirror at my gym; however, I have never really used it prior to working on the bag, pads, or class. So here is the question: What should I do in fron tof the mirror and what should I be paying attention to at the same time? Thanks so much!

Hello! I cannot really weigh in on this topic too much since I am fairly new to training multiple times a day and for a few hours each day. Also, sparring had to be put on hold due to a concussion. My intial inkling to this is a bit of a rough ethical question. On one hand this is a very ethical concept; on the other it can be more pragmatic. The approach that Sylvie was speaking of: sounds a bit like the makings of being genuine. Which, by many philosophical accounts is sometimes the best answer choice out of all the others. Perhaps, this question could be abstracted away to: What's more ethical: having a disposition true to ones' self (being genuine) in violent contexts; or having dispositions separate of ones' self (being disingenuous) in violent contexts? For instance, perhaps someone in the gym "turns on" the killer robot mentality; engages in sparring, and once the bell rings, they hug it out and show utmost respect for their partner. Is this person being disingenuous? Or is being genuine only limited to the moment and time that a person is following/against their ethical/moral/epistemological axioms? So, what I mean to say is this, is a person who turns on the robot killer mentality disingenuous in the moment they are being the killer robot; or are they being disingenuous as a whole? I apologize, all i have are questions. Never any answers haha Oh and, does it really matter if one is being genuine or not while in the ring? My knee-jerk response is yes. However, perhaps fighting is one realm in which being genuine/disingeuous doesn't really matter?

Hello! I can only echo the advice that has been said here. However, there is one little thing I have experienced that has helped me both psychologically and physically. Try to find someone that is either a bit above your skill level or at the same level. With a little bit of courage, ask them if they could do some pad work with you, go through some drills, or show you things they have learned and really like. The reason why I recommend this is because the other person teaches what they have learned which; in turn, helps them develop a deeper understanding of what it is they are talking about. You also learn something (or perhaps are going over somehting you already know) and can build relations with others in the gym. Besides learning Muay Thai, the biggest thing I have successfully taken away from the gym is the social interactions with people. The more relations I have, the easier it is for me to learn and really internalize what it is I am learning. Plus, it feels good to train with friends. Hope this helps in terms of defusing the anxiety that comes with sparring progression.

Would definitely love to hear more analysis on your fights! Reminded me of the conversation I was reading earlier about the most underused weapons that could win fights (Knees, elbows, low kicks). Awesome!

Oh wow there is a lot in the link. I will definitely start reading them when I can and offer my reflections on this thread, if that is okay. I was just watching Sylvie's commentary on her fight #241 and I heard Sylvie talk about "nan-ding" I think was what I heard. Please correct my spelling. It was some concept in which a fighter remains calm during an engagement. This sentiment reminded me of the Stoic notion of eudamonia which is a type of calmness during any and all situations. It's a type of contentment with the circumstances one finds themselves in. Which makes me wonder what other little philosophical nuggets are hiding in Muay Thai pedagogy or philosophical foundations. For example, when I used to spar and take nasty low leg kicks, I would often find myself repeating this mantra: Nothing bad is happening, the cosmos has willed it as it is. This would help with the flinching, pain, and throbbing after eating the kick. I wouldn't really wince or limp because the mantra would help focus my mind on what is happening in front of me and not on what I was feeling in terms of the pain. The best analog I can think of is when Sylvie was talking about being unphased or without any facial expression after a kick or hit in her reflection of fight #241. So my question for this would be: How far is a Nak Muay expected to take this sentiment? Are they expected to take this "eudamonic" state to all facets of their lives or only in the ring? I ask because the Stoics would assert eudamonia to every single aspect of their lives: Friends left you? It is ok, you are not suffering an evil. Someone is robbing you? It is ok, it is as the cosmos wills it. Exiled from your country? It is ok, they are not forcing you to react negatively or positively to being exiled. A little disclaimer: we are just talking about how a fighter should respond to external pressures. I would also like to know if there are any philosophical ideas about how a fighter should respond to internal pressures.

Hello all! This is my first post and I am really excited to throw my voice in with you! My question is this, what are some "go-to" texts, videos, or podcasts that I may be able to get my hands on to better understand the philosophy (if there is one) of Muay Thai. For example, I have been studying the ancient Greek Stoics for about 5 years (what I graduated in) and have noticed that their teachings have influenced modern Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Roman Catholicism/Christianity. I am wondering if there are any writers or thinkers like that for Muay Thai: people who wrote about the meaning behind each movement or the mental state one needs to be Nak Muay etc. and are revered in the community. Thanks for your time! I'll be googling around as well and make sure to share whatever it is I find.

I wonder if Power generation has something to do with it as opposed to Force. For instance, power is how much potential energy is converted to kinetic energy per unit of time. Perhaps the stored energy in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be converted to kinetic energy with varying degrees of intensity. This would relate back to force in terms of increasing acceleration would yield higher changes in velocity of the same unit of time. The higher the velocity, the higher the kinetic energy. The higher the kinetic energy, the larger the power generation from a relaxed arm to a fully extended jab or relaxed leg to a fully extended teep. Perhaps the key to all of this is knowing where the difference in power generation would be between tense muscles, hips, legs versus relaxed muscles, hips, and legs. And that's about as far as my thought process can take me, and leaves me with questions: does a relaxed leg on the mat generate more power upon rotation than the hip or shoulder? Or can the hip generate it's own power regardless of foot rotation? Does my thought process make sense? Or am I missing the point?

Parry jab with a counter right cross. Sometimes it surprises people. Feels great when I get it just right.

I agree with what others have said. Your options are very context dependent. So there isn't, necessarily, a "right" or "wrong answer". I think there can be "appropriate" or "more appropriate" answers to someone who is so punch heavy. Disclaimer: I have only been training for 2 years. So I may know nothing haha For me, when I get slammed with a lot of punches I begin to smirk and try to go for counters with punches or teeps (am obsessed with teeps). I also want to protect my head, so I'll also focus on slips and angling off so I can keep my brains safe and have new targets. I think really depends on your own style and needs.

May I ask what those advantages might be? As someone who likes to bring lessons from the gym to real life, I feel like being 26 in the gym isnt too bad. However, being 26 and working to be a doctor when all my classmates are 21 and below does ride hard on me.

Hi Sylvie! Thanks so much for that warm introduction! Already started responding here and there when I can. Absolutely excited to be connecting with others for the sake of Muay Thai!

The teeps mixed in with muay thai kicks are really my bread and butter. I love linking together teeps to the xiphoid with kicks to the ribs and quads. I feel like I am dancing a little bit when my hips are going back and forth to deliver the kicks and transition into the rear or front teep. That and I love watching people stepping back. Something else I also enjoy a lot are timed teeps to the hip or xiphoid to counter incoming kicks. I haven't sparred in a long time due to a concussion; however, when working the bag or shadow boxing, I love laying it on thick with the teeps. I hope that when August rolls around, I can get back to linking teeps with kicks on my partners. Some secondary faves are elbows and knees. Elbows because they just feel smooth and I love how they can link to a lot of combos at short-to-medium range. Knees because they are hard for me to master haha.

Hello! My name is Jose and I am from Antigua, Guatemala. Grew up in the states and started training Muay Thai about two years ago. Fell in love with the sport and how it helps me balance my school life. Planning a trip to Thailand after my exam is finished. Would love to make contacts and have good conversations. So excited to be here! -Jose