Balance and Composure in Muay Thai | Namsaknoi Muay Thai

 

In Muay Thai fight scoring, a fight is not simply won by the fighter who hit the hardest or appeared the most aggressive, but by the fighter who demonstrated the best composure and balance. A fighter with perfect grace and balance is a beauty to watch in the ring. It is a big part of the aesthetic of the sport in Thailand. Losing your balance when taking a hit makes your counterattack ineffective. It also tells the judges that your opponent is stronger, and is able to dominate and disturb your position. Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu summarized it perfectly: “...The demonstration of masculinity is in the ability to take a strong strike without it really having effect, and then deliver your own… The key to Muay Thai performance in Thailand is to be unmoved, physically or mentally.” Teaching your body to be unmoved by a strong impact is the purpose of this drill. It is important to keep your body firm and steady, but relaxed at the same time. Upon impact, you must give equal amount of force to counter the weight of the impact, or you will fall like a bowling pin when the bag hits you! :D