The art of Eight Limbs

The art of Eight Limbs

Muay Thai, also called Thai Kickboxing or Thai Boxing, originated in Thailand and is also

practiced widely in other countries throughout Southeast Asia. The art of muay thai has

similarities with martial arts styles found elsewhere in Southeast Asia, such as pradal serey

(Cambodia), lethwei (Myanmar), tomoi (Malaysia), and Lao boxing (Laos).

Origins

There are several legends surrounding the history of Muay Thai, although little is known for

certain. In any case, Muay Thai certainly existed in the seventeen and eighteenth centuries,

although it likely dates back much further than this. What is clear is that Muay Thai evolved from

Muay Boran, an unarmed boxing style used by soldiers. This style evolved into muay luang, a

“royal muay” style used by selected fighters living in the Royal palace known as Grom Nak

Muay, or the Muay Fighters Regiment.

Traditional and Techniques

The Muay Thai practiced today, even the most traditional styles, varies considerably from the

ancient art of muay boran. Because Muay Thai relies on techniques involving the hands, shins,

elbows, and knees, it is often known as “The Art of Eight Limbs.” Muay Thai has eight “points of

contacts” rather than the two points (the fists) or four points (the fists and feet) utilized in most

other martial arts styles. For experienced Muay Thai fighters, the shin is the strongest part of

the leg. Blocking techniques, often utilizing the shin, are a critical element in Muay Thai.

Muay Thai fighters usually emphasize elbow and knee techniques; nearly all Muay Thai

techniques utilize the entire body for each movement, including hip rotation and focus on the

core muscles. Only the head is off-limits for strikes and other attack techniques. This has been

seen as one of the main factors distinguishing Muay Thai from other martial art styles. The

fighter's stance includes arms raised high at the sides of the face, in stark contrast to the typical

stance of western boxers or kickboxers, with hands guarding the ribs. In Muay Thai, the legs or

body are used to protect the ribs, rather than the arms.

In Muay Thai, the fighters are not separated when they clinch, unlike in Western-style boxing.

Strikes include punches, elbows, and kicks. Knee and elbow techniques are often seen in the

clinch. The most common Muay Thai kicks include the teep, or foot jab, and the Tae chiang, an

angle kick that is considered one of the most powerful styles in the martial arts world. Similar to

a roundhouse kick, it requires rotation of the entire body.

Influence and Rituals

Muay Thai, along with other styles of martial arts, influenced the development of kickboxing in the 1980s and 1980s. Muay Thai also enjoyed a burst of worldwide popularity as a result of mixed martial arts. Popular MMA artists with Muay Thai backgrounds have combined Muay Thai techniques with elements of other martial arts in the creation of a very effective hybrid style. The traditional Muay Thai match begins in the ring with Ram Muay, a dance to honor the fighter's teachers and ancestors. This pre-fight ritual has roots in Buddhism. Many Muay Thai competitors wear headbands during this ritual, as well as symbolic armbands during both the ritual and the fight itself, which are said to bestow protection on the fighter.