The Thai Martial Art Style of Muay Boran

Even individuals with a passing fascination with martial arts know of Muay Thai. Often you will hear it referred to as the "art of eight limbs". Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, is a popular sport in Thailand, being that country's official sport. It is popular throughout the world. Whether you're considering mixed martial arts, kickboxing, or self-defense, it's an accommodating art form. Just where does Muay Boran come into this? Many people are not aware that Muay Boran can be regarded as Muay Thai's parent martial art form. Sadly, there is the danger that Muay Boran will become a lost martial art style if it continues to lose recognition.

Do you know what Muay Boran is estero martial art instruction ? The name roughly translates as "Ancient Boxing" and that's what it is, an older version of the martial art which later on became the ring sport of Thai Boxing. Many people write off Muay Boran under the mistaken belief that it is simply a bare knuckle Muay Thai. Obviously, Muay Boran was done without gloves. Nonetheless, there are more significant differences between the two with regards to the art form. Muay Boran was referred to as the art of "nine weapons, not the "art of eight limbs". Muay Boran made full use of the headbutt as an element of its martial art form, while the headbutt is an illegal weapon in Muay Thai.

While modern Thai Boxing is recognized for its striking style, you shouldn't assume that it derives this style from Muay Boran. Though there are a number of similarities in style, like the standup style, they're not the same. A number of the indigenous fighting styles of the Indochinese region can be found integrated into Muay Boran. You can claim that it was a bit of an early precursor to the MMA style of training. MMA is a militaristic style. Muay Boran is pretty brutal. It deals with both offense and defense, but it does so in a freestyle fashion. It allows the fighter to compensate for naturally disorderly fighting conditions. The ideal places for the use of Muay Boran these days could be militaristic and defensive.

Needless to say, even with this Muay Boran was used in competitive events. Actually, the adaptation of Muay Boran over time is thought to be how the art form of Muay Thai came into existence. In essence, a couple of things led to the decline of Muay Boran. Though boxing gloves are now used in Muay Thai tournaments, traditional Muay Boran competitive events made use of hemp-wrapped forearms. In order to have the martial art form abide by a number of basic safety rules, much of the Muay Boran art form had to be reduced. This is not to lament the development of Muay Thai because the birth of the ring sport was just the result of a natural progression of events. Since the majority of the modern martial arts practitioners have been inspired by competitions, they've forgotten Muay Boran.

Luckily, in recent years, the few instructors who do know the martial art style have come forward to help preserve its teaching. Those keen on learning the art can now seek out a knowledgeable instructor or invest in DVDs on the subject for self-study.