Learning the Basic Moves of Muay Thai

All the way from a combat sport in Thailand to a sporting pursuit in the wilds of Virginia, there are few better ways to get yourself in shape like learning the martial art of Muay Thai. In Fairfax, world renowned Dojos will teach you everything you need to know to get started.

From its historical roots as a way for Thai people to protect their land holdings after they moved into China, to becoming a sport of the kings and armies, the way it is used today is for personal protection and as an international combat sport. Known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ the sport is all about the full body preparation needed to practice Muay Thai. In Fairfax, excellent teachers will get you started with some of the basic moves, which get more complicated as you advance. The first things you will learn are the major techniques, which will give you a base from which to expand your knowledge and skills.

Punching

When you begin learning Muay Thai in Fairfax, you'll discover punching is an important part of the sport. You may notice the influence of Westernised boxing techniques in the modern form the art, and you would be right; what began as a sport with just a few punches has incorporated the techniques of boxing for a much more varied and effective range of strikes. The range of punches thrown tend to stay away from the full-body variety simply because it leaves your own body exposed to strikes in that instant. Some of the punches you will learn are the jab, swing, cross, hook and the more technical ones like the spinning back-hook, the uppercut and the cobra punch.

Kicks

If you feel more powerful with your feet and legs than your fists and palms, getting into Muay Thai in Fairfax is a great idea, as it allows for a lot of the most powerful moves to be performed with the feet and legs. While there are several kicks used in the fighting, the main ones are the foot jab and one where the fighter kicks upwards in a triangular shape, making contact with the ribs of the opponent. Another kick is the roundhouse, a move that has been adopted by other combat sports. The roundhouse draws power from the way the body rotates and engages the hips.

Kneeing and Elbowing

Two other parts of the body that you will get to grips (literally) with in Muay Thai in Fairfax are the knees and elbows. The elbows are used as powerful attacking tools, where you can mix power and speed to cause damage to your opponent in a variety of movements. The knees are, likewise, considered strong and powerful for creating a hit that is quite hard, even if deflected.

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. To learn Muay Thai in Fairfax Trident is an ideal place to learn. MMA, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Combat Submission Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, can all be studied under the best martial arts instructors from across the NOVA and DC area.

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