The Myriad Attractions of Muay Thai

If you are living in Arlington, mixed martial arts may well play a role in your life. The area is home to some of the world's best trainers, and is important in the social well being of the community on a day-to-day basis. The field not only encourages self-discipline and self-help, but also provides self-confidence and self-assuredness when working to overcome any obstacles or challenges in life.

Within Arlington, mixed martial arts enthusiasts particularly like to dovetail the esoteric and ethical teachings of a discipline while maintaining a good physique. The best teachers understand the many attributes of a martial art.

Muay Thai

One specific genre that provides excellent defensive techniques when facing a challenging situation is Muay Thai - a combat sport that originated in Thailand and is now the country's national sport. While it may well come from the shores of Thailand, it is a discipline that is equally at home on the streets of America in helping enthusiasts develop their natural armoury skills that will enable them to defend themselves.

It is regarded as "the art of eight limbs" or the "science of eight limbs" - as it is the combination of feet, shins, knees, elbows and fists that enables a proponent of the discipline to be fully efficient, but equally effective.

The discipline dates back to the 1100s, when it was first used as a fighting technique during warfare, but is equally at home being a sport and is an integral part of local cultural festivals.

Those who pursue the sport to its highest echelons are known as "nak muay", and one of its most famous proponents is King Rama V. Muay Thai is used as a self-defense tool, to keep in shape, or to work towards personal enlightenment. Because of its popularity among mixed martial arts enthusiasts, it is now the discipline of choice for many. Those looking to become a fighter will often have to improve their body condition - this usually sees a fighter utilizing many forms of training, such as shadowboxing, weight training and running, to bring the body up to maximum strength.

For those studying under the masters in Arlington, mixed martial arts' enthusiasts who pursue Muay Thai will also come to understand the many evasive skills and tools that can be used if they ever need to defend themselves. Such defensive maneuvers include blocking - a block to prevent a strike on the body; avoidance - moving the body in such a way that the defender is still geared towards a counter-strike to nullify an attacker; and disruption - which seeks to pre-empt a strike from an attacker and anticipation, enabling the defender to counter a strike before it lands.

Muay Thai will enable the beginner to understand the importance to kick using the shin as it is seen as the strongest part of the leg. Muay Thai fighters are also taught how to fight during a clinch with knee and elbow techniques, which can be particularly important when in close contact with a potential attacker.

With such a discipline, it enables the body to be strong as well as the spirit and the will of the fighter. This can also be translated into how Muay Thai can promote inner toughness in the single-minded pursuit of anything.

If you’re looking to learn Martial Arts, Pat Tray is chief instructor at the Trident Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, the premier training and instruction centre in the region. In Arlington, mixed martial arts, BJJ, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Combat Submission Wrestling and Karate, can all be studied under the best martial arts instructors from across the NOVA and DC area.

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