Aresenalbox Preparation
On this page I will cover the different techniques, exercises, and meditations necessary to prepare for Muay Boran training. Although there are only a few steps and techniques that I will cover, this doesn't limit you to any of your own stretchs and exercises.
Muay Boran, as you may have learn from the History section, is not a simple form of hand-to-hand combat, but is devised of different techniques and skills that make up an extremely deadly defensive/offensive form of combat.
Simply put, Muay Boran requires more than just a streching here, and a flexing there. It required physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental diciplines. These skills can be aquired over time with practice and determination. These same skills can be applied to life to build a strong moral understanding of oneself and the world surrounding us. By training yourself to build stamina, endurance, flexability, and power you will be able to also have a greater respect for all creations that benefit our existence. Without going much deeper in this explaination, it is imparitive to know that everything takes time and practice. Start simple and work up to the more complicated techniques. Lets begin!
Stretching
It is most important to understand that with any kind of athletic activity stretching is extremely important becauese it gives the necessary amount of levrage that your body needs to accomplish the tasks at hand. If your body is not flexable, it can be, but not until there is much practice and patients. Start by stretching the different muscles that will be in the area listed. Start from the top of your body and work down.
Neck, Shoulders, Arms, Wrists, Fingers, Upper back, Mid back, Hips, Groan Muscle Area, Side, Hamstrings, Quads, Knees, Calves, Ankle, Feet.
Much of the techniques for stretching is very basic, but it's very important to understand that each movement be done slow and held for a reasonable amount of time. Since most of the techniques are highly strainuous it's reasonable to hold stretches for 45 seconds - 1 minute. After stretching it's good to warm-up with basic techniques such as punching and kicking. Other warm-ups would be found in the different Thai-Katas. These are different froms that help Boran fighters gain muscle memory and know the different forms that are used in Muay Boran.
The last step for preparing is the meditation. This technique can also be done before training, which can also clear the mind of any unnecessary thoughts and energies. There are many different ways to meditate but the basic gist is to disconnect from the world around you by simply remaining motionless. Slow your bodies output of energy normally used when moving about. Most meditations will be done by sitting on the ground with legs crossed and excellent posture of the back. By clearing the mind of everything unnecessary and allowing only positive reflections in allows for a health spiritual core. This five - ten minute sacrifice pays off in the long run; not only in martial arts, but life in general. It helps to maintain positive energy in the body and causes a sharpening of the mind. This can be used for work, school, and other daily activities. You will see a greater increase in natural talents and skills not normally witnessed. With between the stretches, warm-ups, and meditation it is time to start learning the different techniques of Muay Boran.
Running
Running helps with blood flow and helps to strengthen the legs. The massive power used by Muay Thai Fighters is due to the great strength they have in the legs and knowing how to use that to their advantage. Running also strengthens the body's core. The core is the center of your being, which helps you overcome the natural frailties of being human. Also your heart becomes stronger from this exercise. With stronger endurance and greater stamina, a Boran fighter is able to withstand the destructive attacks dealt to him.
Weight-lifting and More Stretching
Most MMA (Mix Martial Arts) tournaments like the UFC or Bulldog Sports boast musculer, well built men who fight in these sports. This isn't a necessity. It is an advantage when you compare the sizes of a smaller built guy to a larger built one, but it isn't necessary to win. What is necessary is strong health, good stamina, excellent form and control, and a willpower that is able to crush mountains. Weight-lifting can help strengthen your technique by conditioning your muscles and building on the strength you may already have just by training. Weight-lifting can also increase the speed and power of your attacks, which could send any of those muscular guys flying to the hospital. What I'm saying that just because your opponent may be bigger, doesn't mean that you are going to lose. FOCUS!
Bruce Lee, the martial arts specialist who brought Kung-Fu to a devestating level creating the form Jeet-Kun-Do, was also a philosopher. When you point your finger at the sky don't focus on the finger that is pointing; focus on what you are pointing at, or else you will miss all the glorious splender and beauty. The same goes for fighting an opponent...not the glorious splender and beauty! Focus on the fact that your opponent is infront of you and learn from his movements and methods. This is how you condition your mind, and all the weight-lifting, the conditioning of your body, will be an advantage for you.
And at the beginning of your workout, don't for get to stretch. Many people think that stretching before a workout is not good for you; that you need to warm-up first. This isn't the case all the time, and doesn't fit the many situations in life. Think of something that is cold compared to it being warm. This is the reasoning behind the warming-up before stretching. If you have been walking around all day and doing different things, then you are already warmed up...so STRETCH! And when you are done with your workout, stretch somemore so that your body will gain greater strength after each workout. It also helps that you won't be as sore. Anyways with this bit of information, it's time to go to the different demonstrations to help teach you a little bit about Muay Boran. When I say 'little bit' I mean Muay Boran, like all martial arts, is a life long process. If anyone thinks they have learned everything just over a matter of years, then they are seriously misinformed and stunt their progression any further. Go to the demonstrations page for more information on trainings and techniques.
