It contains various methods of simultaneous defense and immediate counterattack. These methods in addition to delivering techniques in a careful & concise manner have been cut off from practice in modern day Muay Thai. Modern day Muay Thai is not interested in using durable techniques, but instead chooses ones which only focus on the use of physical strength alone. As a result, we lose the beautiful aspects of the martial art.
Therefore, the difference lies within the techniques themselves.
So when Muay Chaiya gives great importance to defense, many people would wrongly assume that it is only a defensive style of combat. But, in actuality, it is a complete fighting art with everything you would need in a given situation.
Many of our own martial arts students have competed in amateur as well as professional fights given the necessary changes required to meet with the rules & regulations of the game.
There isn’t anyone out there who can tell you exactly when you’ll meet with success. It’s similar to when we’re eating. Only we, ourselves, know when we’ve had enough to eat. Many of our students have obtained a certain amount of success within their own individual levels (beginner, intermediate, and advance).
1.We train certain muscles that are needed for the job at hand in order to strengthen them. We help to build a style of defense and develop better balance via a set of exercises that were specifically designed for Muay Chaiya (practiced every single time for each individual class).
2.We do the "YANG SAM KHUM" (or "Three Treasure Steps") which is movement in the way of upper and lower body defense (practiced every single time for each individual class).
3.We practice delivering attacks concisely following the manuscripts that form the heart of Muay Chaiya (practiced every single time for each individual class and adding a few new techniques for every following session until the student can execute continuous rapid-fire combinations in a smooth & harmonious manner).
4.We train our defense skills by working alongside a partner or two. Alternately, one person slaps while the other person defends against the slap attacks.
5.We practice delivering attacks using the Thai pads and sandbags.
6.We do a type of "defense training" where the trainer will kick, punch, push kick, etc. and allow the student to defend using the methods that were taught wherein the attacking opponent gets hurt.
7.We practice ‘no-holds-barred’ street defense wherein KRU LEK will demonstrate the techniques that will be done for the day. Afterwards, the trainer will attack the student during which the student will defend using the technique(s) that KRU LEK showed beforehand.
8.We do "LUK MAI" (or defense & counterattack moves) training wherein KRU LEK will be the demonstrator. From there, students will be divided into pairs wherein each pair will practice the moves specifically assigned to them.
Items 4-8 will alternate in a circuit every week. For example, this week we’ll do item #4 and next week we’ll do item #5 until we reach item #8 and then we go back to doing item #4 all over again.
During the first 12 lessons, the student will learn everything from how to do the basic exercises, the various ways of doing the "YANG SAM KHUM" (or "Three Treasure Steps"), how to defend, how to deliver attacks, and how to use a few "LUK MAI" (or defense & counterattack moves) wherein something new will… gradually… be added according to each individual person.
The right way to practice is to practice something repeatedly until it becomes "second nature" and learning a little at a time. Knowing a little bit, but being able to apply what little you know in a real life situation is way better than knowing a lot, but not being able to use any of it when needing to do so.
Yes, you can learn it because we at “Baanchangthai” emphasize the importance of teaching the basics. Anyone who doesn’t think that practicing as well as mastering the basics is important will become an impediment to others when they begin training at the more advanced levels. Therefore, students need not be worried or concerned that they didn’t learn much of anything. Will we make you practice harder than someone who has already learned and/or mastered the basics ? The answer is that learning other things beforehand does NOT mean that it’ll speed up your progress in relation to Muay Chaiya ! But… diligence, hard work, perseverance, and persistence will allow you to meet with success sooner rather than later.
There are some hindrances depending on how much or how little you’ve trained in that other fighting style and all. Therefore, you must allow time for your mind to get used to the new way of doing things. But… if you have the ability to separate the two, then it won’t be much of an obstacle.