Wednesday 30 June 2010

Muay Thai Boxing Pre Fight Ritual

Wai Kru

Wai Kru is a demonstration of the pupilґs respect and gratitude to his teacher in submission to the teaching training. Wai Kru is traditionally practiced by Thais of various professions and arts, e.g., dancers, sword fighters, musicians, as well as academic students, and of course Muay Thai boxers are no exception. "Wai" means to pay respect by putting both hands together in front of the chest. The demonstration of Wai Kru does not only imply paying respect to the present teacher, but also includes homage to all the teachers of the discipline.

Wai Kru ceremonies are preferable held on Thursday, which is believed to be the teachersґs day. On that day, pupils present certain offerings, usually flowers, money, cloth, etc., to the person who has accepted them as his students. The pupils make a vow that they will study seriously and patiently, respect him and behave fairly to their fellow students and will use the knowledge gained properly.

Wai Kru is called Kheun Kru (the initial ceremony of paying respect to the teacher). Subsequently. they will pay respect to their teachers ceremonially each year, which is called "Yohk Kru" But whenever the pupils intend to use the knowledge taught to them. they will always start by paying respect to their teacher; this action is called Wai Kru or Bucha Kru (to pay respect to a teacher).

In Muay Thai, the boxer will always preface the fight with Wai Kru and this tradition is still practiced nowadays. This ceremony is usually performed to rousing Thai music from pipes and drums, and with the initial Ram Muau (the boxing movement). The Wai Kru and Ram Muay are useful, since the boxer gains encouragement from paying homage to his teachers and feels that he is not on his own: he has his teacher and the other teachers of the discipline to support him. The Wai Kru process will also give him time to concentrate and revise what he has learned, as well as display the nature of his weapons and the high degree of his skill. The steps, movement and use of his weapons are designed to warm up the bodyґs muscles, survey the field of play, and conceal the contestantґs style of fighting

Hong Hern

Muay Thai Kickboxing training

After being in sitting manner until standing up in Dhepnimitra manner and then turn to the right.

Step 1: raise the right foot and straight it backward. Standing on your left foot. Bend your body to the front. Start to perform the dance by sprawling your arms, kneel down while turning the face side of your palms down.

Step 2: kneel up and bend up the wrist to raise up the fingers.

Step 3: lay your right foot on the floor then straight your left foot backward, continue to perform the dance alike the flying bird. The movement of body, arm and palm must correspond with the music.

Step 4: lay down your left foot then "Yang Sam Khum" (walk powerfully in three step) to change the direction. By turning you around to the "left direction" then step out your left foot, bend your body down to " wai " the "Pra-Bhrama-tis" (the direction of Bhrama ) at the left side just one time. Repeat to perform the " Hong-Hern" dancing styles by starting the first step to the third step again but in the fourth step you must turn to the backside "Wai Bhrama" and then repeat to perform the dance. The last time turn to the front side. (which is the original direction while you sit in the "Dhep Pha-nom" form) And then "Wai-Bhrama" perform the dance called "Hong-Hern" and "Bhrama Si Na" then you play "Yang Sam Khum" and bend your body down to salute your counterpart. It is the finish of the "Wai Kru" and the dance called "Hong-Hern"

Yoong Fon Hang

To perform "Yoong-Fon-Hang" style, you must start from "Wai Kru" from the sit form called "Dhep Panom" to the stand form called "Dhep Nimitra" respectively.

Step 1: turn your body to right side, Wai Pra Bhrama for one time.

Step 2: step out your left foot forward. Raise up your right foot then straighten it backward bend down your body forward simultaneously. Put the hands together in salute at the chest level.

Step 3: turn the face side of your palm upward and slowly move your arms go through the armpits to the backside of your body until your arms are straight. All of tip fingers are closed together.

Step 4: move your hands out to the side of the body alike straighten your arms. Then move it round to come gathering at your face. Lift your chest and your face up while your hands were put to touch your head, while your right legs still stretch backward.

Step 5: hold down your right foot to stand straightly. Raise up your left foot then straighten it backward. Stand on your right foot and then repeat the step 1- 4 (it's just switch the right side to be the left side). Repeat to perform the dance for all 4 directions. Then get back to the corner with "Kow Yang" and bend down your body to salute your counterpart.

Muay Thai Boxing Pre Fight RitualMuay Thai Ritual

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