MARTIAL ART:MUAY THAI

Interest in Muay Thai worldwide was first sparked by Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the 1990s. Muay Thai is just one of the fighting styles used in MMA, which also borrows moves from jiujitsu, boxing, wrestling and other martial arts.Today, the increased publicity from television shows, interest in Muay Thai is red-hot. Reality television shows such as The Contender Asia, produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor), has done wonders for Muay Thai.

Just as successful as its predecessor, The Contender, which focused on boxing, The Contender Asia saw 16 of the world’s best Muay Thai fighters pit their skills against each other for the title of Contender Champion and a prize sum of US$250,000 (RM875,000). It was a monster hit that has inspired youths and children worldwide to embrace the sport.

So Muay Thai regarded as the national sport of Thailand,was first used by Siamese soldiers in the 13th century. Unlike Western-style boxing (which has two body contact points and where all targets are above waist level), Muay Thai’s eight body contact points and use of the hands, elbows, knees and feet in fights earned it the nickname of “the science of the eight limbs”.

Typical moves in Muay Thai include knee and elbow strikes, punches and kicks. It also works the core abdominal muscles, making it the ultimate all-in-one workout. And it’s not just the guys who are flipping over it. Its benefits as an effective aerobic workout has not been lost on women. More and more women are signing up for Muay Thai workouts because of their health benefits.

Aside from being a great overall fat-burning, cardiovascular workout, it improves the muscle tone of jiggly underarms, flabby legs and droopy bottoms. Add to that the unexpected but welcome benefit of Muay Thai as a form of stress relief.Muay Thai is to the Thais’ what silat is to Malaysians.

Feeling pressured? Just hit a striking pad or punching bag.