As most of you know I am a people person and I love connecting with people, so with that in mind, I am going to do some quick 15 minute personal lessons online over zoom, the sessions are free but a donation to Phoenix Outreach CIC would be appreciated to enable us to keep running our fantastic community projects.
How the lesson will be run:
1.Send me a short video of you doing a technique that you are struggling with the day before your lesson (not the night before).
2. I’ll send you a Zoom link (make sure you have zoom set up and you’re ready to be online at your session time).
3.Be in uniform (if you have it) and be on time.
(If you are late, I won’t wait)
4.Warm-up yourself before the session with 3 minutes of skipping then 10x press-ups, 10x sit-ups, 10x squats, and stretch your limbs etc. (If you don’t warm up beforehand you risk injury to yourself that may impact on further training).
5. A 15 minute 1:1 session via Zoom with me.
6. Following the session stretch off your limbs again, e.g., forward splits, side splits etc.
If this is something that you would like to do, please get in click the ‘BOOK ME IN’ button below and I will get you booked in.
We have become aware of a popular new game on Facebook that is gaining popularity amongst young people, although this term is also used on Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, and want to bring it to your attention. Just as a reminder– the legal age for accessing Facebook/Instagram/YouTube with a personal account is 13 but we know some younger boys have.
The game is called “Smash or Pass”. Children and young people upload pictures of themselves so other users can say if they would either “smash” which means to hook up sexually with someone or “pass” as in no thanks. This is a form sexploitation and as well as being inappropriate for children and young people to both upload and view these images it could be anyone accessing these pictures. Adults as predators go where children and young people are and will be playing the game using false identities.
Even if children and young people are playing the game with images of celebrities it is not a positive game and reinforces sexism and misogyny. We wanted to bring to your attention for you to discuss with your child if you feel this is appropriate.
There is no mistaking it, a Muay Thai class is the ultimate total body workout. Ask anyone who has trained in the “Art of Eight Limbs” and they will tell you it’s one of the most intense workouts you can ever experience. It’s fast-paced, deliberate, and explosive movements strengthen different parts of your body.
A Muay Thai class is truly a unique experience. That’s why many people are drawn to the martial art to get themselves in supreme shape. For weight loss and muscle toning, Muay Thai has no parallel.
As a martial art for self-defence, Muay Thai is extremely effective. It can help you diffuse any physical altercation quickly and effectively. It will equip you with the combat skills necessary to protect yourself and those around you at all times, which is why many men, women, and even children study this discipline.
Moreover, Muay Thai helps you achieve the physique and athleticism of a well-conditioned athlete.
Have you ever seen the physique of a Muay Thai fighter? It’s lean, flexible, but most importantly, strong. That’s because the compound movements performed within Muay Thai’s techniques strengthen all sorts of muscles that you may not even be aware of.
Let’s take a quick look at the different muscles Muay Thai training directly engages. Today, Evolve Daily shares, four muscle groups, Muay Thai strengthens.
1. Arm And Shoulder Muscles
Muay Thai deals with the science of punching much like the sport of boxing does. Although the stance is quite different because of the existence of kicks and knees, the fundamentals are pretty much the same.
Power is transferred from the base, through to the core, and to the end of the fist. It’s a smooth, quick, and explosive motion. But people may not realise that power is usually transferred to the fist via the shoulders. The shoulders act like pistons, delivering punches with speed and velocity.
The major difference between Muay Thai and boxing, however, is the existence of elbows. In Muay Thai, fighters can use elbow strikes. Many of Muay Thai’s boxing combinations include the use of elbows.
This, of course, stimulates different parts of the arm and shoulder muscles, particularly the triceps and biceps. It also explains why Muay Thai fighters have very cut and defined shoulders.
Karate World Champion Hiroki Akimoto training Muay Thai at Evolve MMA in Singapore. (PHOTO: Evolve MMA)
2. Hip And Leg Muscles
A major part of Muay Thai’s offensive maneuvres involves the use of kicks and knees. There are a plethora of different techniques from roundhouse kicks, push kicks, switch kicks, question mark kicks, and the like.
Taking things a step further, Muay Thai also features leg sweeps, dumps, and even the occasional flying knee.
That being said, there’s a lot of compound movements involving the muscles surrounding the legs and hips, such as the gluteal muscles and the quadriceps. Each muscle serves a different purpose in the execution of Muay Thai’s many kicking techniques.
During training, you’ll be kicking a lot. It’s one of those things where the more you do it, the better you get. Repetition plays a massive role in Muay Thai training, and the more time you put in the gym, the faster you see improvements.
Strengthening these muscles separately, therefore, also improve kicking technique and power in Muay Thai.
3. Core Muscles
Much like in any sport, the core muscle group plays a massive role in the function of all connected body parts. Think of it as the engine that makes your body run. The stronger your core, the more explosive your movements, and in turn, the more powerful your strikes.
The core muscles include the internal and external obliques, upper and lower abdomen, diaphragm, and the like.
Everything from kicks, punches, elbows, and knees, and all techniques in between, draw power from your core. Which means this area of your body is trained constantly on a daily basis. Every technique performed in some way shape or form engages the core. That’s probably why Muay Thai fighters are absolutely ripped.
Muay Thai also has you dealing with body shots. A lot of fighters like to dig to the body with roundhouse kicks, or even punches. So you’re always clenching your abdomen to deal with the impact. This, of course, fortifies your midsection and makes you more resistant to body shots.
Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao training at Evolve MMA (Far East Square) in Singapore. (PHOTO: Evolve MMA)
4. Back Muscles
Last but not least, Muay Thai training strengthens your back muscles.
Typically, the muscles attached to the back of the spine help humans stand, as well as lift heavy objects. Just as you engage the core muscles during training, you equally engage the back muscles to complement and stabilise your movements, especially when executing kicks and knees.
The back muscles also help in allowing you better shock absorption, which in turn gives you better balance. And of course, balance is very important in any stand-up martial art.
Having a strong back enables you to deliver your techniques with good balance, and helps you stay upright with a good centre of gravity. Having a solid base is essential in Muay Thai.
Another aspect of Muay Thai that engages back muscles is the clinch. When fighting for position and pulling your opponent off balance, strong back muscles will come in handy.
So, you’re thinking about taking up Muay Thai. Maybe you want to get fit, learn some self-defence, or just pick it up as a new hobby. But after watching some Muay Thai fight videos on YouTube, you get a little apprehensive. “Is Muay Thai dangerous? Am I going to get all pummeled, bloodied and knocked out like those fellas in the videos?”
Is Muay Thai dangerous?
Yes, Muay Thai is dangerous. As with all competitive contact sports, there are definitely health risks involved but the keyword here being “competitive”.
Muay Thai fights in the ring can be brutal -and bloody- with flying knees, sharp elbow strikes, hard kicks to the guts, and swinging punches.
BUT! Training Muay Thai is a different thing and not as dangerous as it is made out to be. A majority of modern Muay Thai practitioners are actually non-competitive, and many do it purely for fitness and health purposes.
If you are in it because you actually want to fight in the ring, and yet worried about the dangers, then you might want to consider something like fencing where you are less likely to go out on a stretcher.
On the other hand, if you just want to pick it up for fitness, losing weight, or self-defence, we say “Welcome!” as you have most certainly arrived at the right arena!
A Brief Introduction to Muay Thai training You have ever seen that video of a Muay Thai fighter kicking down a banana? No worries, that’s not a norm in your typical Muay Thai class. Whew.
After adequate stretching, running and skipping as part of the warm-up routine, you will be asked to perform a myriad of things.
You will learn to execute basic techniques involving punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes, and various blocks.
These can be in the form of shadow boxing, bag work, and pad work. There will also be various strengthening exercises involved such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats and any physical routine that your instructors are able to conjure.
You do need to be prepared though, that Muay Thai practice is going to hurt to a certain extent. Bruises and slight injuries are fairly common but usually nothing to worry about.
You are more likely to be experiencing muscle soreness from time to time, even if you have been training for a while. It is a physically challenging sport but you will only get fitter and stronger as long as you continue to train.
As you progress along the path of Muay Thai -after months of hitting pads, heavy bags and the air-, you may be invited into the world of clinching and sparring. This is the natural progression of learning and this is where it freaks many people out. It begets the next question:
How dangerous is Muay Thai sparring?
If the prospects of getting hurt or injured during sparring worries you, you really don’t have to spar at all.
Sparring is a personal choice in most gyms and most definitely not included as part of a beginner’s curriculum. It is also certainly NOT compulsory.
You don’t have to be peer-pressured into sparring and you most likely won’t enjoy the experience if it is something you are not comfortable with.
That said, the level of intensity during typical sparring classes is actually quite light and the mood is usually fun. With the right sparring partners.
You’ll get the occasional spaz and tensed-up beginner who have no idea how hard they are hitting. Plus a handful of people who like to go hard during sparring.
The true objective of sparring is to practise techniques, hone your reflexes and sharpen your instincts. The objective is NOT to win or to knock out your sparring partner. The objective is also NOT to lose your cool and level up the spar into a brawl.
Sparring is not simply a step down from fighting. Sparring is a practice for improvement. It is important to have your instructor around to supervise any sparring. They should be there to correct your techniques and most of all, make sure that tempers are kept in check.
You will get hit quite a bit in sparring, and this is why sparring should only be performed with the proper protective gear. Standard protective gear includes shin guards, mouth guard, groin guards (guys seem to need these more) and in some gyms, headgear for extra protection.
These gear will protect both yourself and your sparring partner and minimize any injuries. So always remember to bring your sparring gear.
On that note, there is one thing that you shouldn’t bring into sparring and that is your ego. Best to leave it at home, or in the locker.
Keep Calm and Muay Thai
Bottom line is, you can get injured in ANY sports that you do, even a “lazy” sport like golf, and that’s a fact.
With common sense, knowledgeable instructors, the right training partners, and the right mindset, Muay Thai is a fulfilling, empowering and enriching experience. From what we’ve observed, there seems to be a higher amount of dislocation, fracture and sprain cases going on in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) gym next door.
I have had my fair share of injuries from training and sparring. Sometimes out from training for a month due to overly-enthusiastic sparring partners. But more from just general strains and sprains although the rate of sustaining them is decreasing from better fitness, form and experience.
I’m in my 40s now and never athletic my whole life. If I can do it, so can anyone else.
Hopefully, this article has put your mind at a bit more ease. Your local fight gym -if of decent quality- should most likely offer a free trial class. You can get some tips on finding the right gym Read more about finding the right gym in this article: “How to find Muay Thai gyms near you“.
So pick the phone, or drop-in at the gym, and make an appointment for a trial. Never underestimate what you and your body are capable of. If you don’t try, you just won’t realize your full potential or reap the benefits of Muay Thai.
Have fun and Chok dee!
NOTE: If you have a medical condition, you might want to get yourself medically approved or certified by your specialist before getting enrolled for Muay Thai classes. This might include -but not limited to- metabolic bone conditions, muscular disorders, respiratory or any chronic conditions. Train hard, stay safe.
Jaiven was presented with their uniform in the Wednesday class.
Parents purchased their uniform as they have watched their progression and recognised their commitment to Phoenix Muay Thai over the past 4-8 weeks.
Kru presented the children with their uniform and explained the importance of the uniform and how it represents our club and how they should act respectfully at all times, especially when they are wearing the club uniform.
Due to increasing pressure from the landlord, we have no option but to increase the cost of classes by 50 pence. All classes will now £6.50, this will take effect from the 2nd of January 2021. Which means Phoenix Muay Thai can continue to trade and deliver top quality training in a top-quality venue.
New Classes
Glow Kick And 5 by 5
What is Glow Kick?
Thai Boxing classes taught in a darkened room with disco lights, glow sticks, smoke machines and lasers set to a soundtrack of old rave, the ’90s, garage, trance, Ibiza classics and new club hits. A fusion of dance, toning and combat moves with high/low impact options.
The classes are more based around having fun, de-stressing and getting a sweat on, than learning a martial art.
What is 5 by 5
5 by 5 is an old school fighter conditioning class
5 rounds of skipping and exercise, 5 rounds of bag work.
How much are these sessions?
Sessions are £6.50 per person, per session
Grading Date Feb
We will let you know the date for grading in the new year when the Covid-19 regulations are clearer and we know what level we can operate on.
Christmas Opening Times
Monday 21st December Open.
Wednesday 23rd December Open.
Thursday 24th December Closed.
Saturday 26th December Closed.Monday 28th December 2020 Open.
Wednesday 30th December 2020 Open.
Thursday 31st December 2020 Closed.
Monday 4th January 2021 Open.
Refunds
We know that some of you are still awaiting a refund. We were under the impression that WIX would automatically refund the payment back to the account it was taken from and we know that this has happened in some instances. If you believe you are still due a refund and it has been more than 3 weeks, please follow these steps:
1. check you cancelled 24 hours before the class you booked
2. check the account you paid with for the 3 weeks after the cancellation date to ensure you haven’t had an automatic refund
3. if no refund, bring your cancellation confirmation e-mails with you to the gym and leave them with reception
4. we will check the cancellations and refund where applicable
Please bear with us to get this sorted, we will work through it systematically and refund you ASAP
Feedback & Reviews
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Thank you for recently using Phoenix Muay Thai Boxing – we hope your experience was a good one.
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You have ever seen that video of a Muay Thai fighter kicking down a banana? No worries, that’s not a norm in your typical Muay Thai class. Whew.
