Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is a great sport for those drawn to martial arts, who want to increase overall fitness, and find inner calm by sweating, punching and kicking out stress. Thailand's national sport, also know as The Art of the Eight Limbs, allows fighters to use hands, shins, elbows and knees, making it challenging for both the mind and body. Unlike other martial arts, there is also a heavy focus on conditioning.
"Muay Thai is a complete workout for women," says trainer Mark Komuro, co-owner of The Yard, a Muay Thai gym in downtown Los Angeles. "The training incorporates strength, cardio and flexibility, which are key elements of an overall fitness program. In order to fight, you need to fully dedicate yourself to become stronger in mind, body and spirit."
"Muay Thai has been so instrumental in making me the confident woman that I am today. It gave me the confidence to start to see myself as a strong and beautiful woman," says 33-year old student Melissa Prouty. The lessons learned in the ring have also helped Melissa with her career in the tough marketing world. "I was able to learn so much about myself, how I reacted under intense pressure, and how anger affected my tasks."
"To many women, Muay Thai seems like a hostile, combative sport," says Mark, "however, it's a test of will, not anger. The irony of the sport is that you need to control your anger for the best results. You can be aggressive without being angry. These skills can also help women outside the ring in a competitive business environment, as well as the daily challenges they may face. Through Muay Thai training, women learn to use their fears to gain power, focus and confidence. Overcoming fear is half the battle in any situation -- whether it's in the ring or everyday life."
"All I can say is that if you've never punched or kicked a punch bag with all your might, you just don't know what you're missing," says 45-year old student Ann Marie Ramon. "Sure, there's yoga, spas, and quiet time - all good - but it doesn't compare with a total de-stressor like kickboxing. And though it might sound contradictory, working negative energy out of the body with powerful and strategically placed kicks and punches provides a sense of mental and physical relief worth every ounce of sweat and endurance one can muster."
"When a workout or training session is completed you feel as though you've lightened your stress load, that you are better prepared to defend yourself if you need to, and that you did something good for your whole being," Ann Marie continues. "Knowing that with a little more effort and dedication, you can do much better tomorrow -- in everything you do -- you leave ready for the challenges of a new day."
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