Muay Thai Question

[Phaint]

After much reading I pretty much set my mind on taking this type of MA if I can find a place that teaches it in my area but I was thinking, since this isn't a TMA and more of a sports type MA how the hell are the dojos like?

This right here scared the **** outta me, elbows to the heads and kidneys and crap often result in death? Heh, I'd like to be taught MT but since this isn't a TMA when you spar and train in classes are there actual headgear and crap you wear like Karate and such to insure you don't get hurt?

I don't want to just get thrown against other MT uber types and get my ass killed quick. I have no interest in doing it for "sport" and competitons and **** I just want to learn it because I am looking for a nice MA to learn that will help me defend myself in RL situations. I was looking up BJJ as well but I don't like grapples much, if anything I'd take it after I took this for a while to learn the ropes with grapples and such.

 

[Shiftkey]

I'm thinking of joining this place. Not really a "dojo" in the traditional sense, but it looks like a great place to train. Plus they offer many different styles and not just Mauy Thai (including Brazilian Ju-Jitsu which your link suggests can beat a MT martial artist).

http://www.ockickboxing.com/index.asp

 

[DJBen]

You never thought that an elbow to the head, a knee to the head, a knee to ribs/kidneys/sternum was fatal? Come on, engage that brain of yours - of course there is danger!

What I like about what that site has said... well... it's all true. It's a good way to protect yourself - and to be honest I doubt you'll die. You'll probably take some harsh shots to the kidneys, but thats happened to me in TKD [**** that hurt, I was pissing blood for days] and boxing.. it really wont be life threatening.

It's up to you though. If you want to take karate or whatever, you need to take time and LEARN the art. I've seen a few people that do shotokan send people flying across almost an entire room before - not with a kick, with a palm.

It's up to you. You could die tomorrow by falling out of bed. Does it mean you dont go to bed? no. cause the chances of it happening are slim to none - probably close to what dying through MT is.

Go try MT and see what you think. Thats the only way to actually *know* if it's for you.

 

[Sato21m]

hey phait i'm from miami too and i wanna do MT as well if you know a place let me know

 

[Phaint]

Obviously blows to the heads/kidneys can be fatal of course but in TMA when you goto classes, you have head/body gear and the instructors teach you how to do the techniques and whatnot then you go and spar.

But I have no idea how MT would be because from all the pictures I've seen, theres no gear whatsoever between the sparrers and ****. I just wanted to know from someone that has taken it before how it works exactly.

Dayr0n, I'll let you know if I find one, I found a BJJ place in hialeah but I'd rather take MT first then BJJ.

This is the karate class my friend is taking and recommends me taking, he says that his instructor teaches them a bit from other types of martial arts like Jui Jitsu , Akido ,ect..

I was wondering though from someone who took BJJ as well, if they teach you any strikes as well or is it just ground oriented movements?

 

[Soma]

Yes, you'll wear pads when sparring. Especially if you're a beginner. Head gear, possibly mouth piece, gloves, cup, shin guards. Most places won't allow knees or elbows when sparring unless your training to fight in the ring.

Of course this also will vary by school. You may join a hardcore place that uses very little protective equipment. But this is America. No one wants to get sued and lose their school so you can pretty much expect that 99% of teachers will make you wear gear.

 

[ultrashogun]

Dont worry, full contact Martial Arts can lead to injury, but all in all I dont think that the amount of injuries are larger than in other "normal" sports, like soccer or football, Ive actually talked to more people that have been injured in ballsports than by doing MA.

 

[MindOverMatter]

At my dojo, newcomers have to go through a sh!tload of shadowboxing/training before being allowed to spar. Equipment is mandatory (that includes headgear, mouthguard, cup, gloves, shinguards). It's really not that bad, don't let it scare you away.

 

[Aresx]

Yo Phaint, there's a Place that trains Muay Thai safely down here in Miami. It's safe, and you learn quick. There are other places I know of, but they train a little more hardcore (meaning, my friend had his jaw in a brace for a few months from training there - but he learned everything at the original place)

Go to www.unifiedmartialart.com - they are located in Miami. Call and get two free classes to decide whether you want to sign up for it or not. If they ask, tell them "LaLa" recommended you.

Originally posted by Phaint
Obviously blows to the heads/kidneys can be fatal of course but in TMA when you goto classes, you have head/body gear and the instructors teach you how to do the techniques and whatnot then you go and spar.

But I have no idea how MT would be because from all the pictures I've seen, theres no gear whatsoever between the sparrers and ****. I just wanted to know from someone that has taken it before how it works exactly.

Dayr0n, I'll let you know if I find one, I found a BJJ place in hialeah but I'd rather take MT first then BJJ.

This is the karate class my friend is taking and recommends me taking, he says that his instructor teaches them a bit from other types of martial arts like Jui Jitsu , Akido ,ect..

I was wondering though from someone who took BJJ as well, if they teach you any strikes as well or is it just ground oriented movements?

 

[Shiftkey]

At my dojo, newcomers have to go through a sh!tload of shadowboxing/training before being allowed to spar. Equipment is mandatory (that includes headgear, mouthguard, cup, gloves, shinguards). It's really not that bad, don't let it scare you away.

I just became a member of the place I replied about today and we have to go through alot of training before sparring also. We have to go through "phases" (instead of belts). Phase 1 being beginners and 4 being beginner instructor level. I talked to one of the instructors and he said he reached phase 3 in 9 months by practising in the dojo for 35+ hours a week. They don't let you spar until phase 2, and real hardcore sparring is in phase 3 and 4.

 

[Phaint]

Originally posted by Aresx
Yo Phaint, there's a Place that trains Muay Thai safely down here in Miami. It's safe, and you learn quick. There are other places I know of, but they train a little more hardcore (meaning, my friend had his jaw in a brace for a few months from training there - but he learned everything at the original place)

Go to www.unifiedmartialart.com - they are located in Miami. Call and get two free classes to decide whether you want to sign up for it or not. If they ask, tell them "LaLa" recommended you.

Ah thanks alot but the problem is that schools in Kendall while I live in Miami Lakes so its a long 1hour+ drive with traffic on the expressway at the times that they offer the class (6pm). Compared to taking my friends Karate class thats a couple blocks away it seems like such a hassle.

I have to think about it alot though because of the the drive but the school seems like a kickass school. Any idea on the prices? I forgot I had emailed them a couple days ago but never got a response.

Also, if any of those you say are more hardcore are in the Hialeah area please let me know.

 

[Aresx]

Yeah the school is pretty great. Can get a little expensive, but you have a lot of options. I was paying $80 a month a few months ago - I had the option of going 3/4 times a week if i wanted (2 jun fan classes, 1 kali/arnis class, and 1 review class) - but I only went to the minimum because of my schedule (1 jun fan class, 1 kali class).

So it's reasonable enough if you want to train a LOT. Plus they offer private lessons, which are expensive but AMAZING. ($75 for half an hour with Sifu Dwight, and $30 per half hour for Orestes).

I didn't know you were down in Miami-Lakes though. If you want, call him up, and if it's too much of a drive for you, he may know some reputable teachers in your area and recommend you to them. Give him a call, and exlain your situation.