Muay Thai comes from a long tradition of hard work and spiritual values. In Thailand, respect and self-discipline are highly prized and practiced. Muay Thai Teachers have always had a significant role in Muay Thai.

Part of the pre-fight ritual is to honor the teacher. "Wai Khru" (bow or pray to the teacher) is a mark of respect done before every fight.

To come into this advanced class, you have previously learned enough to know how to learn.  Work only with discipline, good attitude, and steady effort.

 

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Discipline

 

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Class Updates

Instant updates about classes, projects, Fitness Fixes, and other.
Short and easy: Go to www.Twitter.com/TheFItnessFixer

 

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Ideals
In many martial arts traditions it is customary for students to practice remembering positive values. Sometimes, it involves the tradition of the teacher giving students parables to learn better thinking. In other schools, a series of set thoughts are recited at the beginning and/or end of each class.

"In Thailand we say, "Tai dab mai khom, tai dom nak." It means "if the sword is not sharp, use a heavy shaft." That means if you are not the strongest at something, then work your hardest. If you are weaker than the next person, then lift weights diligently and practice techniques that may work better for you. If you are shorter than the next person, then practice speed and other aspects to excel over them. Capitalize on skills where you excel. Remember that skills where you are weak are the very ones you must train the most. Get in shape. Go train. Develop physical and mental skills and grace to win well. And courage to lose well. They are both normal parts of life.

 

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Syllabus - What We Do Each Class

Class 1
Muay Thai history, Muay Ram ring prayer dance. Review healthy bending, stance, placement of knee, lower back, shoulder, and neck. Contact fighting principles and practices. Remember self-discipline and enjoying hard physical training. Partner exercise and drills.
Class 1 short on-line readings: Is Bad Martial Arts Good Exercise? and Which Ancient Exercise Gives Focus and Concentration?
Class 1 movie to watch: Are You Stronger Than A 67 Year Old Lady? Bookmark and do this with her every day.
Class 1 Textbook readings: Forward, Introduction, Lifestyle, to page 8. Prevent Injuries 162-196..

Class 2
Contact fighting drills. Speed drills, endurance drills. Partner exercise and drills. Remember self-discipline and enjoying hard physical training.
Class 2 short on-line readings:Beijing Olympics & Martial Arts Class Teach Common Sense Cooperation and Improve Stretch and Strength With Better Kicking
Class 2 movie to watch: Fast Fitness - Fixing Arches, Knock Knee, and Knee Pain Without Orthotics
Class 2 Textbook readings: Spirit 128-141. Speed 117-122.

Class 3
Multiple attackers. Increasing strength. Partner exercise and drills. Remember self-discipline and enjoying hard physical training.
Class 3 short on-line readings: Fast Fitness - Don't Shorten Hip When Stretching Hamstring and Fast Fitness - Core Hip & Body, Posture Strength & Balance
Class 3 movie to watch: Fast Fitness - Sprain Prevention and Rehab Training
Class 3 Textbook readings: Strength 12-42. Cardiovascular Conditioning 102-107, Breathing 142-144. Healthy Mind 123-127.

More will be assigned in class each week.

 

Before the Semester Ends:

Remember to register for Warrior yoga and next boxing class. Pre-registration is required. If you just come to the door, you may find 20 people ahead of you, or waiting for a class already cancelled for lack of pre-registration.

Now that you have gotten a good start, you may like our Karate class with Paul Plevakas Sensei ("Sensei" means teacher). Karate is held Monday and Thursday evenings at our karate dojo ("dojo" means training hall) on 21st street between Sansom and Chestnut Street. Click the class page for more information on Karate.

 

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Certification

Academy Certification for various kickboxing levels may be earned by top students through guided study with Dr. Bookspan

 

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Physical Development

Typical training in Muay Thai involves long hours of physical conditioning and practice kicking and striking heavy bags, practice pads, and sparring partners.

 

Boxing preparation, stretch, meditation, and respect to teacher - Wai Khru

       

Students practice strikes and blocks

Kicks to target sites, and blocking kicks by leg and arm techniques

Sparring Drills, multiple opponents, falls

Pushups of all kinds

Elbows strikes/blocks. Exercise for legs and holding posture with abs.

Always Training

Learning Kickboxing Terms

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Respect

In Thailand, there is great love and respect for King, Country, and Buddha.

Observations

We learn to apply focus and meditation to everyday happenings.
There is more in-depth instruction on techniques learned in the first boxing class,
plus new things in each class.
Fun workouts, excellent instructor, and concentration on form.
- Karen Randolph

We learn to clear the mind and discipline the mind and body.
We practice effective techniques.
- Zhi Li

I have taken many classes taught by Dr. Jolie Bookspan. She continues to inspire me to go further, in class and in life. I look forward to the many classes I plan to take in the future. There are often times when I come into class with the many distractions of my day, stress, work, relationships. Jolie allows me to escape all the noise, focus on myself and my body. Her classes have helped me in more ways, than even she will ever know. Thank you Dr. Bookspan.
- Sandra Davidson

"What is a magician but a practicing theorist?" - Obi-Wan Kenobi

 

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To Be Injury and Pain-Free

• All techniques in this class are intended to decrease injury potential and improve function starting as soon as you begin using them.
• You should feel effort and exercise in your muscles during and after class, but no strain, twisting, or pain to any joints. If something hurts, you may not be positioning yourself properly. Check with Dr. Bookspan.
• Do not do anything that increases joint pain or injury potential.
• Pain may occur if you use bad positioning habits and exercises that strain muscles and put joints into unhealthy positioning. Don't do that.
• Keep healthy common sense and use your brain.
• Practice until healthy motion becomes natural and the way you move for all daily life.
• Get your class textbook, "Healthy Martial Arts." and do all readings. Read Student Responsibility, below.
• Ask questions of things that do not seem right for you.
• Enjoy improving your mind and body. Smile. Relax. Breathe.
• Schedule appointment, if needed.

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Student Resources

Free Readings on This Web Site To Fix and Prevent Injury

• How Other Students Fixed Injuries
• Good and Bad Stretches
• Bad Exercises to Avoid
• How to Fix Knee Pain
• How to Fix Disc Pain and Sciatica
• How to Fix Neck Pain
• How to Fix Back Pain

The Fitness Fixer™

Change exercise to healthier ways with my free on-line health compendium. Search The Index. http://www.drbookspan.com/fitfix-index

Or see Dr. Bookspan's Fitness Fixer™ column on Healthline.com - http://www.healthline.com/blogs/exercise_fitness

Class Text Books

Healthy Martial Arts
Wealth of training for body and mind. Available in class at discount to students.

Stretching Smarter Stretching Healthier

The Ab Revolution™ No More Crunches! No More Back Pain! New, completely revised third edition expanded.
Revolutionary core training method - No forward bending that stresses disc. Combination of sports medicine and fun exercise to straighten posture and get a healthier stronger workout than with conventional forward bending abdominal exercises. Change your understanding of what abdominal muscles do (and don't do) during daily activity and what they have to do with your back. Used by military, law enforcement, and the nation's top spine doctors.

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Student Responsibility

We Pledge To A Strong Happy Class That Learns Healthier Ways:
I understand all of the following:

• I understand this class is for people who want to learn and improve both body and mind, not just do fad exercises.
• I understand that keeping positive attitude is a workout for the spirit and part of class. Remember to smile and breathe and relax while working hard.
• I understand that the teacher cares, and encourages me to express my concerns, hopes, pre-existing medical conditions, etc, directly for mutual good. I understand that if I don't, that the teacher is not clairvoyant.
• I have been told that several popular fitness exercises and stretches are not healthy and that we change those and do healthier versions instead. I won't complain that we don't do the unhealthy versions.
• I understand that it is helpful to me to learn when I am moving in unhealthy ways, for example, slouching the spine, twisting or sagging at the knee or ankle.
• I understand that it is helpful to me to be interested to change unhealthy joint position to healthy position.
• I understand that if I go back to unhealthy exercises outside of class, that the class is not responsible for pain or injury.
• I understand that the teacher cares for my safety and shows this by watching my form, informing me of unsafe motions, and helping me correct them with words or physical pointing. If I am not interested in safeguarding my health in this way, I must previously inform the teacher that it is my choice not to be talked to or paid attention to, or that I need different means.
• I understand I am expected to make an effort to learn and exert.
• I understand this class stresses practice in self-control and respect. I will not wear sunglasses, chew gum, chatter, or make displays of disrespect or irresponsibility.
• I understand that I am expected to work hard enough to have sore muscles for one to three days following each class.
• I understand that having sore muscles is not an injury or something to avoid or fear.
• I understand that I have been told that joints should not be sore, and are a sign of misuse that needs to be changed.
• I understand that to have a fun class, I need to contribute fun.

   

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Movies

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