Muaythai Tips

 

Wai Kru

The first thing that is required for practicing Muay Thai is the performance of ritual homage and dancing that is called the Wai Kru. All boxers must perform this homage before starting their daily practice.

MuayThai is regarded as a field of martial art and science that has been developed from generation to generation since the establishment of the Thai nation. Muay Thai is therefore a mixture of all good things and indicates the long-lasting and civilized culture of the nation.

According to the tradition of MuayThai, the ritual homage is the first part of the competition so as to pay gratitude and respect to the fighter’s trainer, the opponent, the referee and judges and the audience. In so doing the boxer believes that luck will be on their side and he won’t be afraid of anything.

The Wai Kru is performed through dance. While the boxer is dancing, he will observe his opponent and stretch his body to get physical and spiritual relax at the same time. The attitudes used in the dance show the major techniques used called Mae Mai to practice the basic skills and balancing techniques.

Besides the performance of ritual homage also shows the boxers respect and gratitude towards his trainer. Wai Kru will be performed in a tender manner according to the trainer’s instructions. It indicates the morality and ethics of the fighter. Therefore the style will vary from region to region and from trainer to trainer.

It is also a strategy used to teach boxers to hold onto the unity and fraternity of the team. Id the boxers perform the same style of Wai Kru it means the same instructors of the same camp taught them. They won’t fight each other and the fraternity will lead them in their loyalty to the king. They must accordingly turn their faces to where the king sits.

The boxers who come from the northern region usually have strong legs and therefore use vigorous and threatening attitudes whereas the boxers from the south use a gentler approach because they usually defend in a more gentle manner. Boxers from the Central region also have their own style.

Wai Kru style of the Khorat camp.

Master Bua Wat-Im (Lt Bua Nil- Archa) invented this style. It begins with obeisance. This is because in ancient times even the kings had to pay homage before beginning a competition. It is now the tradition for boxers to kneel and pay homage three times before a competition.
Steps.

Step 1. - Stand upright and then kneel down with the right foot on the left one. Place ones weight on the heels and put the hands on each knee.


Step 2. - Put the palms of the hand together at the breast.


Step 3. - Draw each hand apart and to the back – with a straight arm.


Step 4. - Now draw both hands together with straight fingers and the arms pointing to the ground. Bow and put both hands together at the breast.


Step 5. - Raise both hands up tot touch the area between the eyebrows with the thumbs touching the forehead. Bend the back and lean slightly backwards.


Step 6. - Repeat the first step.


Step 7. - Repeat the above steps twice more and place hands on knees. Stand up with the left knee up and ready for the next "attitude"

Yang Sam Kung.

This is the original dancing style of the Korat camp. This showcases Muay Thai footwork and allows the boxer to practice moving in the ring. Good footwork enables the boxer to deliver punches, kicks, knees and elbows in an efficient manner. The Korat camp attacks and defense are illustrated here – this is not the usual footwork seen in international boxing. A boxer using this style will stand with the body weight on the front leg while standing on the ball of his back foot. From this position the boxer can lessen the attack of his opponent and strengthen his own attack. It is more flexible as the boxer has better balance. (This is why it is considered as a basic lesson for the beginner.)

It is performed in a series moving towards 3 set positions. It requires about 2 steps to move into the positions.

- A -

Step 1. - Stand upright, clasping hands and place them together on the forehead. The elbows should be separate from each other. Use the right foot to step forward.


Step 2. - Raise the left knee and step forward at an angle. Slowly place your left hand on your left knee and place your right fist in front of your forehead.


Step 3. - Lower your right hand to your hip and raise the left hand to your forehead. (Twice)


Step 4. - Take 2 short steps forward with the left foot for the 2 position.

- B -

Step 5. - Now raise your right knee and step forward. Put your right hand on the knee and place the left fist in front of your forehead.


Step 6. - Lower the left hand down and raise the right hand up to your forehead. (Twice)


Step 7. - Take 2 short steps forward with your right foot towards the third position.


Step 8. - Raise the left knee at an angle and step forward to the first position. Slowly place your left hand on your left knee and your right fist in front of your forehead.


Step 9. - Lower the right hand down and raise the left hand up to your forehead.(twice)


Step 10. - Take 2 short steps forward to the first position with the left foot.


Step 11. - Raise the right knee at an angle and step the second position. Set the right foot and tilt it towards the second position and then change to the third position.


Step 12. - Raise your left knee at an angle and step forward to the second position. Slowly place your left hand on your left knee and your right fist in front of your forehead,


Step 13. - Lower your left hand and take a step forward to the left. Put on guard and step to the right. Step forward until the boxer is in his own corner. Then bow.

- Prom Si Na. -

uses 4 directions – the first is the front, the second is the back, the third is the right and the fourth is left.

To begin, stand in the middle and turn your face to the first direction.

Step 1. - Clasp your hand and bring them together touching the forehead. The elbows must be separate.


Step 2. - Take a half-step forwards with the right foot. Raise your left foot and place the left hand on it. Place your right fist in front of your forehead.


Step 3. - Lower your left foot and take 2 steps forward. Raise your right knee and roll your hand slowly to the front with the right fist in the guard position and the left at the chest.


Step 4. - Lower the right foot to the ground and bend the knees and slowly turn to the second direction. Raise your left knee up and place left hand on it. Your right fist should be in front of the forehead.


Step 5. - Lower your left foot and take 2 steps forward. Raise your right knee and slowly roll your hands to the front with the right fist in the guard position and the left at the chest.


Step 6. - Lower the right foot to the ground and bend the knees and slowly turn to the third direction. Raise your left knee up and place left hand on it. Your right fist should be in front of the forehead.


Step 7. - Lower your left foot and take 2 steps forward. Raise your right knee and slowly roll your hands to the front with the right fist in the guard position and the left at the chest.


Step 8. - Lower the right foot to the ground and bend the knees and slowly turn to the fourth direction. Raise your left knee up and place left hand on it. Your right fist should be in front of the forehead.


Step 9. - Lower the right foot to the ground.


Step 10. - Raise the right foot at an angle to the first direction. Draw the rolled hands slowly in front and step forward with the left foot to touch the ground and then raise it up. Place left hand on it and your right fist should be in front of the forehead.


Step 11. - Lower your left foot and change direction. Set on guard and step forward to the boxer’s own corner. Salute.

Salute.

It is considered good manners after completing a dance to give a salute. This is to show the fighting spirit of the boxer. After the fight – the winner decided by skill and technique, both would still be friends.

Who was Kru Bua Wat-im ?

He was born on May 15, 1897. He lived in the Maung district of Nakorn Rajisima. He started practicing MuayThai when he was 14 years old with Master Thon (a student of Maeun Cha-ngad Chanengchok’s instructor) In 1930, he became a teacher of physical education in the royal army and retired at the age of 60. After his retirement, he still taught his students until at the age of 93, he passed away.