| Out of a small black personal timer on my waist, a shrill | | | | programs, the art stresses a balance between proper |
| cry is heard; and it has not come too soon. For the | | | | thought and proper action. As in most avenues, a |
| row of exhausted students in my midst running lap | | | | dedication and focus in the art brings improvement and |
| drills, it is a sweet sound as it signals the beginning of a | | | | success. For students to get the most out of martial |
| one-minute round of rest. Some of the students go | | | | art training, it is imperative that they cast from their |
| straight for their water bottles, some rest their heaving | | | | minds all extrinsic thoughts visà- vis Muay Thai. |
| torsos on their weakened hips, while the rest shrug it | | | | In class we stress the moment, the mastering of each |
| off and keep jogging. All however, answer the next | | | | step, each breath in order to achieve our goals. For |
| bell - the beginning of a new round and with it, a new | | | | two hours, the myriad sources of stress from our |
| drill. | | | | busy days are set aside, for surely they will only hinder |
| This is Muay Thai Fundamentals, a new physical | | | | our work. |
| fitness class at Spring Creek Lodge Academy. Muay | | | | When I began studying Muay Thai six years ago, I felt |
| Thai, or Thai Kickboxing, is a dynamic and challenging | | | | as though I was learning to walk all over again. I |
| martial art that utilizes the whole body in self-defense. | | | | couldnʼt perform a single technique properly and |
| Like other martial arts, Muay Thai is about | | | | I couldnʼt keep myself free from the |
| self-improvement. For each of our two-hour training | | | | concomitant frustration and impatience I regularly |
| sessions, students work on a wide variety of skills. | | | | aimed at myself. But through repetitive, disciplined work, |
| Some of our drills are designed to improve overall | | | | and with a patient and calm mind, I was able to master |
| fitness while others are specific to the art. For two | | | | the forms and techniques of the art, while enjoying and |
| hours, we are in constant motion, getting a fantastic | | | | benefiting from the process. |
| cardio-vascular workout while learning to move in new | | | | Judging by the impressive work ethic and motivation of |
| ways. | | | | the students who have joined me in training, I am |
| The purpose of Muay Thai is to learn about healthful | | | | certain that they will also experience and enjoy their |
| habits. During our training sessions students sweat out | | | | own breakthroughs in the art. Although designed to be |
| toxins, burn calories, build muscle, lose fat and increase | | | | only an eight-week course, I am hoping to retain a core |
| energy levels. Moreover, all involved learn a great | | | | of dedicated students who wish to continue to train on |
| exercise routine that they can implement into their | | | | a regular basis. It is my hope that I can utilize their |
| overall plans for a healthy lifestyle. Through disciplined | | | | leadership skills to help newer students become |
| training, students find that they can achieve their | | | | accustomed to our routine as future classes begin. Of |
| physical fitness goals, de-stress and learn to manage a | | | | course it is my belief that the more time they spend |
| host of emotional issues. | | | | training and challenging themselves, the better equipped |
| On many levels Muay Thai fits well into the Spring | | | | they will be to successfully complete their programs |
| Creek environment. Like many of our studentsʼ | | | | and better their lives. |