Muay Thai Chaiya's 4Bs of defense
Ok, so I mentioned in my last post about getting a new video finished on the 4 Baw Blas of Muay Chaiya, with Part 2 in the works. Well, after lots of playing around and headaches (YouTube uploads delay being one of them!?) Both parts are up. Unfortunately they're still not showing up in the searches, so you'll have to rely on the links below if you want to watch.
One important thing about the subject of the videos: this is a quick intro to these moves, there is a huge amount of depth and detail to go on what's here. I'm hoping that the videos will have more than enough to get you started though, keeping you going for a while. I'm expecting a LOT of comments and questions about these videos, and hopefully they'll be mostly constructive and come from people who have paid attention and have a keen eye.
Also, as a side note. Due to editing and length of video, I didn't get to put as many examples of us playing Dop Hoo in as I'd like. It's pretty simple, but remember; don't go to hard or fast at the beginning especially if you've just started. You will get bruised, cut and maybe evenn get wierd welts popping out of your fore arms!! (seriously weird). But I suppose this is one of the great things about this exercise, if the person hitting goes too fast or too hard, they get hurt not the defending partner.
Some good questions on Muay Chaiya
First, let me apologise to readers of my site, and people interested in Muay Chaiya, as I've been very busy over the last 6 months and haven't had the time/energy to add any real content to the site.
I do however receive a lot of emails with questions regarding Muay Chaiya, to which I try my best to answer and usually end up writing longer answers than initially intended! Recently Zdenek from the Czech Republic contacted me with some good questions, and I thought I'd share them.
It’s nothing like Muay Thai
Those of you who have been reading my posts know that I try to get back to Bangkok as often as possible to do more training at Baan Chang Thai, and spend some time with my good friends there.
On this occasion, I was lucky enough to meet Antonio Graceffo a.k.a. The Brooklyn Monk, who has been traveling around Asia documenting a variety of martial arts styles.
I hadn't gotten around to do a propper write up of the visit, when I read a facebook post the Antonio had written, and thought that it was better to use that instead of me blabbering on as per usual!
So, here is the first guest post on myMuayChaiya.com, please enjoy...
Muay Chaiya's Phan Mut
Phan Mut which literally means 'binding fist' or 'passing fist' (both of which apply just as well) is one of the basic fundamental techniques of Muay Chaiya. It is a simple move which makes the Tha Kru of the style work on multiple levels and also works as a simple and effective parry technique. Used throughout training, if you can't Phan Mut, you can't Chaiya!
Muay Chaiya's Prik Liam
More than just a technique, Prik Liam is the glue that helps keep the style together. Without it, all most techniques lack power and speed, and flow that makes the style formidable.Simply put, it is a rotation of the body, kind of a bastard cross of the body swivel in boxing (usually applied in crosses and hooks) and the hip/body rotation of Wing Chun (to name one of many style that do something similar.
I'm in Bangkok, now how do I get to Baan Chang Thai?
I've been in Thailand for so long now, I forget that whilst getting around is easy, it can be quite daunting for the first timer. Here's a quick break down of different ways to get to Baan Chang Thai.
Read more: I'm in Bangkok, now how do I get to Baan Chang Thai?
Muay Chaiya's Yok Khao guard (raised knee)
There are two Mae Mai positions in Muay Chaiya, the Tha Kru and the Yok Khao guards. Once the Tha Kru is mastered, then it is good to concentrate on making the Yok Khao guard strong, and understand all of the variations and moves that lead in and out of it.
Primarily used as a defense to the infamous Muay Thai turning kick, Muay Chaiya has developed and enhaced this basic guard into not only an effective defense, but a formidable attack. Good balance is neccessary, gained by constant practice of the basic exercises and the Yang Sam Khum.
Muay Chaiya's Tha Kru
The Tha Kru (Teacher's position) is one of the things that makes Muay Chaiya stand out, and makes the style quickly recognisable. It's also one of the things that made me gain respect quickly for the style, mainly for its simplicity, pragmatism and effectiveness.
At a deeper level, it is at the core of the style, and proper use ensures that all of the moves flow together, and at the same time keeps your opponent guessing as to your next move.
Basic Muay Chaiya Exercises
Muay Chaiya can take a long time to master, because of the way that the techniques work and flow together. Practicing the basics regularly gives a huge advantage when learning, and the basic exercises help to strengthen the body instill proper form and good habits that will make your techniques strong and instinctive.
Muay Thai Chaiya fundamentals
Muay Thai Chaiya is an old style of Muay Thai, with its roots based on the battlefields of ancient Thailand.
An effective form of self defense, Muay Chaiya is a full martial art with a level of detail not to be found in the popular modern Muay Thai sport. Often described as the ‘Turian Style’ after the prickly fruit, due to the emphasis on blocking with the elbows and knees, Muay Chaiya concentrates on damaging the opponents weapons (arms legs etc) whilst blocking.
History of Muay Thai Chaiya
From the name, you would think that Muay Chaiya comes from the Chaiya district in southern Thailand, but in fact the founder Phor Than Ma came from Bangkok. He had been the number one soldier of Bangkok in the Thai army for many years, when he retired and ordained as a monk. He traveled south from Bangkok, traveling from town to town until he reached the Chaiya district where he helped the people rid themselves of some troublesome elephants using coconut husks. This gained him great respect from the people of Chaiya, who then built a temple for Phaw Than Ma to reside.
Is the style effective?
Yes, very much so. I've spent most of my life studying one martial art or another, and many of the concepts in Muay Chaiya are very progressive and sometimes almost beautiful in their simplicity. The basic guard is strong, a lot of emphasis is put on footwork and the style of fighting is very pragmatic. One of the basic principles is to hurt the opponent's weapons (e.g. arm leg etc) at any given opportunity, hence the focus on blocking with the elbows and knees. The elbows and kicks are the bread and butter of Chaiya, but a huge amount of work goes into developing a student's 'boxing' skills. Many techniques have a feel of western boxing and Jeet Kune Do concepts mixed together, and quite often the shortest, most simple route is the best (no superfluous moves).