While most of the youngsters are running to the gym to attain a perfect shape, there are other group of Bengalureans who are happily taking up Muay Thai training. They are choosing this form of martial art to keep them fit and strong, and they have been enrolling themselves in Muay Thai classes. And why wouldn’t they? Muay Thai is a part of mixed martial arts training and one who learns it reaps the benefits. Then what has inspired the youth to take up these classes?
Tejas Panda, a college student says, “The main reason I have chosen to take up Muay Thai classes is because I feel this helps me to be fit overall. I practice for two hours, every alternate day except Sundays and have been practicing Muay Thai for almost six months now. I have seen a lot of improvement in my stamina, reaction time and concentration. I am able to wake up early to study and can concentrate better than before. I am planning to go to Thailand and take up a three month course after my exams are done.”
Ankita Mitra, an assistant manager says, “Muay Thai has helped me build my confidence and has increased my patience and concentration. It has also taught me self-defence as I come home late from work. So, in a way, it helps me whenever I am travelling alone. It is also a total stress buster from work where I can take out the negative energy during the training.”
Rishabh Telang, strength and conditioning coach and a Muay Thai practitioner says, “Muay Thai is safe for anybody at any age. No formal physical training is needed as the trainer guides the person from basic training. A person should be on a balanced diet as the quality of food is important during the training session.”
He further adds, “The reason this is picking up in Bengaluru is because most IT jobs involve strenuous long hours of sitting at their desk which leads to upper back problems. So, Muay Thai as a sport helps in stabilising the spine that helps in sitting for longer hours, making it easier to be productive at work.”
Speed and accuracy is pivotal in Muay Thai and since it is a combat sport, it is much more popular among the young generation. “I have been passionate about Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu since my childhood. The key to mastering Muay Thai is patience and hard work. Muay Thai is a sport that impacts almost every muscle in the body and is much more interesting than the regular gym routine. Also this is a form of self-defense and is always good to have knowledge about it.
Learning how to use your body as a weapon in a rule-based sport is not an easy task. Instead of getting frustrated by not being able to do a strike or combination perfectly, I try to fascinate myself by the sport and try to use it to drive and passion to focus on my practice,” says Abdul Assadi a software engineer.
