What is Muay Thai?

Muay Thai is a very effective for of combat that is know for it's devastating power and simplicity. It is very easy for the beginner student to learn this style of martial art and you will be amazed at how quickly to pick it up. Muay Thai utilises the fists, arms, legs, knees and elbows to attack and defend against aggressor.

Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing and tagged as "The Science of Eight Limbs" is the explosive martial art that has taken the world by storm. Respected the whole world over for it's devastating power and awesome effectiveness

The most spectacular form of empty-hands fighting (or more precisely, wrapped with rope) utilized in the traditional Martial Art denominated Muay Boran is called “Muay Kark Chiek”, or Boxing with wrapped hands. According to the most recent studies realized by the Cultural Commission of Thailand, the epochs of development of Siamese combat can be distinguished in three great eras (in turn subdivided into various intermediate periods): the archaic, in which the fighters competed with completely bare hands; the middle, in which, in order to increase the power of the attacks and defensive actions, the boxers wrapped their hands with more or less worked cotton rope; and the modern, which marks the birth of Muay Thai with the introduction of Boxing gloves.

The history of muay thai stems back more than 3000 years, The Thai military use a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit. Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. In popularity Muay Thai in Thailand can be compared to Football in England. Traditionally as Muay Thai has evolved, that what we practice practiced today varies slightly from the ancient art Muay Boran which is only taught to more senior experienced students. Muay Thai uses an arsenal of kicks, punches knees and elbows. Ultimately Muay Thai bought's today take place in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively.

Traditional Muay Thai

What is the history of Muay Thai?
Most of what is known about the early history of Thai Boxers comes from Burmese accounts of warfare between Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Thailand during the 15th and 16th centuries. The earliest reference (1411 AD) mentions a ferocious style of unarmed combat that decided the fate of the Thai kings. A later description tells how Nai Khanom Tom, Thailand's first famous boxer and a prisoner of war in Myanmar, gained his freedom by roundly defeating a dozen Burmese warriors before a Burmese court.

King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605) was a great Thai boxer himself, and he made Muay Thai a required part of military training for all Thai soldiers. Later another Thai king, Phra Chao Seua ( the 'tiger king), further promoted Thai Boxing as a national sport by encouraging prize fights and the development of training camps in the early 18th century.

There are accounts of massive wagers and bouts to the death during this time. Phra Chao Seua himself is said to have been an incognito participant in many of the matches during the early part of his reign. Contestants fists were wrapped in thick horsehide for maximum impact with minimum knuckle damage.

They also used cotton soaked in glue and ground glass and later hemp bindings. Tree bark and seashells were used to protect the groin from lethal kicks.

What do we teach?
Strikeforce Muay Thai concentrates on teaching ring effective techniques. Strikeforce Kickboxing teaches effective ring techniques but it's focus more to the Fitness aspect and teaching new people then basics of Muay Thai.

What is the difference between the Muay Thai Class and the Kickboxing Class?
Simple the Kickboxing class is designed for beginners and the Muay Thai class is more oriented towards fighters and people who want to get into the ring.

How do you begin?
Strikeforce Muay Thai classes are held Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6 pm. Strikeforce Kickboxing Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.00pm The only equipment required to start is a mouth guard, shorts and tee shirt.
Come on down and have a look.

To this day, many martial art aficionados consider
the Thai style the ultimate in hand to hand fighting.

It is also a sport that gives you skill, fitness, strength and endurance, and has many other benefits such as increasing co-ordination, assertiveness, balance, mental focus, flexibility and confidence.

10 Drury St.  New Lynn.  Auckland.  Ph: (09) 827 1222 

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