Old Memories
October 22, 2008 by nopstar
I came across this on The Fight Geek a while back, if you guys haven’t visited yet, you should bookmark it, he’s got some really interesting gems posted. I love traveling and experiencing other cultures…
I’d love to be a host on a travel show, wandering the streets eating random shit. I saw this clip and thought it’s about the furthest thing you could get to a 24-hour fitness. I find this concept of a gym so foreign and intriguing. I see all the clips online for the “300″ workout… shit this is the original “300″ workout. Old school. It’s great to see that they’re keeping their traditions alive.
In our way we are helping to keep Muay Thai alive. We’ve all got various reasons and motivations for why we train. If you stop and think about it, by training we’re helping to carry on the tradition of Muay Thai. I know a lot of you don’t think of it that way, but with every elbow, every kick we in our own little way pay tribute to our Krus and traditions
Try to stay with me…
I’m a practicing Buddhist who firmly believes in reincarnation. We believe that in each life you carry over a little of yourself from your previous lives. No direct memories, but only an essence of you were. We believe that your interest, your inclinations, are a direct results of your past experiences. You eventually get drawn back to things that feel familiar, things that you love, even your friends… The idea is that we’ve all met before some place else…
Have you ever been drawn to another culture and felt connected for no particular reason? I look at our friend Nate who runs www.mymuaythaichaiya.com he’s an Englishmen living in Thailand teaching Muay Chaiya? How does that happen?
Which brings me to us. You know who you are. Why are you drawn to this? Why do train? Why does it appeal to you so much? There are other martial arts out there? Why Muay Thai? Why go to Thailand?
at first I wanted to learn how to punch someone in the face but eventually I started to learn that this sport is beautiful because it teaches you to become a champion in life. plus you could totally kick someone’s ass!
Cool video. I’m actually just back from Iran! I went there with my job. It’s actually nothing like I expected. Really nice country with very friendly people and superb food.
While I was there I trained Muay Thai. :) (only once). It was….different, but nice to break a sweat. In general I found it incredibly difficult to exercise in Tehran. There was no gym in the hotel and you can’t wear shorts in public (who’s going running in 33 degree heat in long trousers? Not me anyway).
As for travel to Thailand….well….what a great place. Hard not to like it IMO. :)
About the video: While I was watching I thought, it looks easier as it is …
Nop: I really like your philosophical questions hehe =)
As you mentioned it, I didn’t realize it everytime that I actually “do” thai culture while training Muay-Thai. What drove me to MT was Buakaw, no shit! I saw him on TV (some K-1 fight) back in 2006 and watched the fight with my mouth open. “What is that and where can I learn this?” was the first question that came to my mind.
While researching Buakaw’s style I read a lot about Thailand, and I don’t know why, just like my mother I like the thai people (she’s been visiting the country already) and especially their social attitude and kindness. I’m German but kinda feel thai already by exercising Muay-Thai.
Luckily my trainer learned everything from his thai trainer. He became WKA World Champion and two times WKA German Champion, anyway, he teaches a lot more aspects than just the “fighting thing”. He changed a lot in me, Muay-Thai is kind of the main part in my life.
Thanks for the inspiration, I’m really looking forward to think and write a lot more about that …
Very interesting. Its good to know that the cultural background of some exercises are kept and passed on to the next generation. Looks like I saw a precursor to the clubbells in that video. Very nice!
I have often thought of Reincarnation, and why Martial Arts Always had an appeal to me. First Korean, then Japanese, Then Chinese and in the End Thai! Also bearing in mind, that historians and Scientist tried to uncover where the Eskimo´s came from, the possibilities were limited to Asia or the American Indians, and they found out that it was Mongolia! And thats not News to mee, cause growing up looking at my people every day, I always claimed that We Must be from somewhere in Asia. Eskimos are shorter and Darker, but the Eyes and Faces scream Asian, and that K1 Mongolian Fighter Jambada Narangtaluk or what ever his name is, looks exactly like an Eskimo! So yes I have played with the Thought that I am drawn to Martial Arts because there is Asian blood in me, or I may have been a Mongolian or Thai in my former life! -Great Post!
thats a nice workout. i think all those ideas,if not better ones, are in crossfit gyms now. i was drawn toward muay thai first, but naturally with any martial art i study and embrace that culture. it doesnt hurt that my best friend in elemnatary was thai and that thai people ar ereally nice in general.
I started a comment but it got too long and morphed into a post. Here it is is you want to read it.
The typical answer is going to be discipline/workout benefits. I may be the only one to say it but I got into Muay Thai because it was ringsport and less boring than classical martial arts not to mention much more realistic.
In other words: it’s more fun.
I have another more in depth description but for now that should encapsulate my overall feelings.
Lemme sum it up for yall!
Jean Claude VanDamne…….Yes! I am forever grateful to him as he introduced me to the sport and made me love it. “Bloodsport” and “Kickboxer” made me fall in love with Muay Thai. Those movies were huge hits in France (When I lived there)….Tong Po kicking that pole was the point that sold me the most. Of course nowadays I realized that both these movies are completely innacurate (though I still love and respect them). I am greatful to the “Muscles from Brusselles”….oh and watchin Buakaw decimating Kohiruimaki on Youtube brought the love back and pushed me to take on the sport, train and eventually get in the ring.
Spyda! there you are, I thought you might be trapped under a vending machine somewhere!