Muay boran - a traditional martial art style of Thailand, the progenitor of modern Thai boxing, Muay Thai. Translated from Thai, Muay Boran (มวยโบราณ) means “ancient boxing”. If classical modern Thai boxing is called “the science of eight limbs,” then Muay Boran was popularly called “naua ayut,” which translated means “nine weapons.” The "science of eight limbs" involves the use of eight joints of the human body: two fists, two elbows, two knees and two feet. The “nine weapons” include, in addition to the above-mentioned limbs, also the technique of striking and other impacts using the head.
Such differences are due, first of all, to the historical context of the emergence and development of these styles. Muay Boran was originally developed as an applied hand-to-hand combat system, which was actively used in the fight against the Burmese occupiers. Thus, Muay Boran is a military system of hand-to-hand combat, in contrast to modern Muay Thai, which is a consequence of the reduced rules for conducting fights in traditional Thai boxing.
Muay Boran technique
The technical arsenal of the style is diverse and quite highly organized. Muay Boran has several sections of technique: striking, throwing, painful techniques and holds. Much attention is paid to the careful study of all traditional preparation methods. Pair work is carried out in a light playful manner, like other applied work, including sparring. The basic fighting stance in Muay Boran is significantly lower and wider than in Muay Thai. The links are simple and effective. Very well developed methods of working at close range. Knees, elbows, bends, and unbalance techniques are actively used. Much attention is paid to training special flexibility.
Muay Boran, Paak Kloong style
The master of this famous style was Ajarn Kimsaing from the city of Ayuthaya. Ajarn Kimsaing studied Muay Ayuthaya from Kruu Kiao. He then moved to Bangkok to study international boxing and Muay Paak Kloong.
The Paak Kloong stance is very low and compact, with the center of gravity located between the legs. Both knees are bent and all joints point forward, ready to be used as a shield against any offensive movement. In Paak Kloong the fists are one in front of the other and lined up overlapping the center. Paak Kloong warriors have excellent command of both sides and do not favor the right-handed or left-handed stance. Sometimes the front leg is slightly raised above the ground, extended away from you, but at the same time pointed down towards the enemy. The footwork in this style is very interesting: when the boxer takes a step, along with his leg, the arms rise into a high defensive position. At the next step, the arms are lowered to the starting position.
Paak Kloong specializes in attacks and blocking with elbows and knees. Each arm and leg are bent even during attacking movements. The limbs never fully extend. What’s interesting is that, unlike other styles, they often work with the concept of a ball. Thus, Muay Boran Paak Kloong does not limit itself to just one-dimensional wrestling (stand-up striking). If the fight goes to the ground, then even in this case the warrior can fight effectively. In a real fight, you often have to fight with several opponents at the same time. This is where the concept of a circle comes in.
Another interesting feature is the study of the 4-4 principle. These are four elbow movements that can be either defensive or offensive and four knee movements that perform the same function. Subsequently, movements with the elbow turn into strikes and defenses with a fist and an open hand, and movements with the knees into strikes and defenses with legs. (there are four movements with the elbow: from the outside - in, from the inside - out, from bottom to top, from top to bottom, the same with the knees. These basic eight movements unfold into eight movements with the arms and legs. For example, there is no strictly straight punch with the hand as in boxing there is a movement from bottom to top or top to bottom, also with a direct kick, etc.)
The footwork is fast and short. At some moments, the body weight is shifted entirely to one leg. The fighter Paak Kloong uses sliding movements, and allows him to switch to an attack at any time. Attacks in Paak Kloong are very fast and light attacks come from all possible angles. Since the Paak Kloong style is an old traditional style, it contains many Buddhist concepts. The Paak Kloong Boxers practiced meditation extensively and studied Buddhism in its Indian interpretation, which is quite different from the Chinese.
Video Guides
Author: Fearless
You can watch it once
The film is not bad, but the recent "City Hungter" is better in terms of action.
To be honest, there is no particular principle... when there is more time, an “old man” is added, when there is less time...
Not a bad idea. But I don’t understand something, on what basis are profiles added? And legends...