Resilience During Challenging Times

How We Can Draw on Mandela for Inspiration during Challenging Times

The Circuit Breaker has meant a huge shift to our normal training sessions. Without our gyms, fitness studios, and limited time to spend outside, we are now figuring out how to stay healthy and keep fit from the comfort of our home. Trying to get an effective full-body workout beyond our usual gyms can be tricky, both in terms of a lack of gym equipment we are used to and a decline in motivation when we’re no longer training with coaches, having a familiar atmosphere and faces around us. 

However, without exercise and a routine, our minds might be less able to face the challenging times we are currently confronted with. Exercise is more crucial than ever in helping us to build mental resilience.  

If you already had a fitness routine before the Circuit Breaker, adjusting to the transition is not as difficult as you might think. And, if you are looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle during your time at home, there is no better time to begin.

Nelson Mandela: A Boxer

This week, we look to Nelson Mandela for inspiration and motivation. Did you know that during his incarceration on Robben Island he looked towards exercise to help him through the time? 

Mandela had started boxing whilst he was a student at Fort Hare University and he carried on his boxing training and routine, which had previously taken place in a Soweto boxing gym, every week Monday to Thursday whilst still in prison. 

He attempted to follow his boxing routine starting with running on the spot for 45 minutes, 100 Fingertip Push-Ups, 200 Sit-ups and other calisthenic exercises.

In fact, Mandela believed that exercise was fundamental to both his physical and mental health – “Exercise dissipates tension, and tension is the enemy of serenity. I found that I worked better and thought more clearly when I was in good physical condition, and so training became one of the inflexible disciplines of my life.”

Building Resilience

The news of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent directives from the government have left many of us experiencing negative emotions. As for Mandela, exercise could be the key to helping us face these difficult times. Research has demonstrated that exercise and good nutrition are both directly linked to our emotional well-being.

It provides us with an outlet for the anxiety and worries we are all confronted with at the moment. We must learn to adapt and be resilient during these challenging times. For those of us who are living in a confined space, it is time to get creative with our workouts. If you are limited to a confined space, no-equipment exercise routines are a great place to start.

Staying Motivated

Don’t let a change in your usual routine leave you feeling unmotivated. Use this time to build a new routine. Our advice is to schedule in your home workout session as if it is a work call or appointment. Your new routine will provide you with the mental strength you need to get through this!

Finally, remember that nothing lasts forever, this too shall pass! Let’s all take inspiration from Mandela as we go forward into this new month and week.

The Art of Eight Limbs

 

Most of us know that Muay Thai is a combat sport that utilises the whole body as a weapon and defense – but why exactly is it coined the “Art of Eight Limbs”? Why do some Muay Thai fighters wear a headdress or an armlet during fights? Here are some fun facts about Muay Thai you might find interesting!

    1. ART OF EIGHT LIMBS

In Muay Thai, fighters utilise the combined use of their fists, elbows, shins, and knees – this is how Muay Thai earned its title as the “Art of Eight Limbs”. The “eight limbs” actually refer to using moves like the power punches, kicks, elbow strikes, and knee strikes in those exhilarating Muay Thai matches you can catch ever so often at The Ring. It’s as if one had the power of eight limbs with these Muay Thai techniques and moves!

2. MUAY THAI IN MOVIES

When we talk about martial arts movies, boxing movies like Rocky or Million Dollar Baby pop up into our minds. Did you know, that there are some award-winning films that feature Muay Thai too?

One such movie series was Tony Jaa’s Ong-Bak. Ong-Bak was first released in 2003 in Thailand at the 2003 Bangkok International Film Festival, and subsequently gained international recognition. The movie introduced the world to the arts of Muay Thai. Tony Jaa himself acted in the film as the lead role, with him performing all the Muay Thai moves in the movie himself. He had been practising Muay Thai since the tender age of 10, and knew the martial art well to perform them confidently on-screen.

3. OTHER KICKBOXING VARIATIONS

Did you know that other countries have their own version of “Muay Thai”? There’s Lethwei, a full boxing contact sport originating from Myanmar, which is known as the “Art of Nine Limbs” because headbutting is encouraged in this variation of the practice. Pradal Serey is another unarmed combat sport that originated from Cambodia. Elbow strikes tend to be the most utilised amongst the fighters in this variation of the sport. There are many other combat sports that adopt similar techniques and stances to Muay Thai, mostly in the Southeast Asia region.

4. WAI KHRU RAM MUAY

Before a Muay Thai bout, competitors traditionally perform a ritual known as the “Wai Khru Ram Muay”. This is some sort of a greeting, and used for giving thanks, and is a display of respect. Fighters individualise their “Wai Khru Ram Muay” as they give respects to their mentors and everyone who trained and helped them to be the strong fighters they are today. These humbling displays of respect are magnificent sights and one should experience it to have the full experience of Muay Thai.

5. MUAY THAI SUPERSTITIONSIt is not uncommon to see Muay Thai fighters bearing special tattoos in professional Thai inscription. These unique and traditional tattoos are meant to ward off any bad luck from their bout in the ring, to prevent injuries. They believe that with these tattoos, they increase their luck and fortune as well.

Fighters sometimes also don a headdress (also known as the Mongkong), or an armlet, in which they wrap ancestors’ bones – they hope to transcend the good spirit of their ancestors into the ring and bring them good luck.

Now that you know a little bit more about this intriguing sport, it’s time to pick up your wraps & gloves and join us in the amazing world of Muay Thai  in Singapore at The Ring: Your Boxing Gym Singapore!

 

Muay Thai – One of the Most Popular Sport in Town!

Forget the days when you had to drag yourself to the gym after work everyday, getting overwhelmed by the complicated machines in the gym and panting as you power through on the treadmill. Muay Thai is now the trendy hot sport amongst many, who prefer breaking a sweat through the art of the eight limbs, and a sport you should definitely try (if you have yet to jump on the bandwagon)!

From Ryan Gosling to Demi Lovato, more celebrities are switching to working out through combat sports, particularly Muay Thai! Once associated with gang culture and street violence, the stigma attached to this combat sport has greatly reduced, thanks to the growing popularity amongst celebrities and influencers taking up the sport! Whether you’re intending to shed some pounds or look for a new workout routine, Muay Thai is probably one of the most effective workouts for your mind and body.

Combining the use of your hands, feet, elbows and knees, Muay Thai tests your mental and physical endurance in order to provide you with the most rewarding workout. It engages almost every single muscle group in your body, and unlike running or lifting weights, you’re physically exercising your body in its entirety to receive the maximum pay-off when it comes to working out.

The integration of cardio, strength and endurance in Muay Thai is what draws many to the sport. Be prepared to work your core, arms and legs during each session! While exercises like running are beneficial to your physical well-being, a combat sport like Muay Thai requires immense mental concentration! During sparring sessions, you are expected to never let your guard down, but instead always try to anticipate your opponent’s next move.

A familiar face at The Ring, Operations Manager Felicia has been an avid fan of Muay Thai for over many years, and has even gone to Phuket and Bali for training sessions.

“I find that I often don’t have the time or motivation to workout in the gym, which is why I find Muay Thai such a tempting alternative. Classes usually run just slightly over an hour, and I am able to compact my entire day’s workout then. It’s fun, energetic and most importantly, effective!”

— FELICIA, OPERATIONS MANAGER AT THE RING

Most importantly, Muay Thai classes are almost never boring or repetitive because the coaches here at The Ring ensure a fun-filled intense training session fit for all! From shadow work to partner drills, you’ll definitely find yourself addicted to attending Muay Thai classes.

IF YOU’RE CONVINCED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE SPORT, JOIN ONE OF OUR MANY MUAY THAI CLASSES TO FIND OUT WHY IT IS FAST BECOMING A FAVOURITE OPTION AMONGST MANY!

Find Muay Thai in Singapore at the Ring: Your Boxing Gym in Singapore!

Importance Of Core Training In Muay Thai

Also known as the art of the eight limbs, Muay Thai is a combination of some boxing techniques and rapid strikes with the elbows and knees! Every part of your body can be used to attack, which is why many people who practice Muay Thai often develop excellent physical conditioning.

People often mistake the core to be the abdominal muscles, and this results in them neglecting the workouts for the entire core section. The front, sides and back muscles of your midsection are actually all part of your core and are the main source of power for your limbs. Core muscles work together closely to stabilize your body, and a strong core will allow for holistically stronger body.

Combining the strength of your core with the art of Muay Thai, below are 3 reasons why your core matters!

Increased Balance and Stability

In a sport where you consistently receive hard hits on your body, having a strong core will act as an anchor in maintaining your balance. Core exercises often train your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen muscles together, and this can result in increased balance and stability during training and fights!

Powerful Strikes

A strong core will ensure a better delivery of punches and kicks, something crucial during sparring or fights. Because the core is your body’s source of power, having strong arms or legs is not enough in attempting to dish out significant strikes. By using the rotational force of your body, you are better able to transfer the power towards the limb and ultimately the opponent!

Resist Better

Very often your mid-section receives the most strikes during a fight, and a strong core will allow for better resilience against the hard knocks. A misconception many have are that Muay Thai fighters only focus on training their punches and kicks, however, strengthening your core muscles through specific workouts can increase your body’s overall condition, allowing you to fight longer without feeling lethargic!

Rather than working out isolated core muscles, it is more effective to holistically strengthen your entire core area through comprehensive trainings! The Ring’s strength and conditioning Coach Dzul notes, “S&C is important for any kind of combat sport. Being good at kicking or punching is not enough if you want to be an all-round fighter.”

Follow these simple workouts below to improve your core muscles!

Planks

Planks activate muscles like your abs, lower back, obliques and glutes for an all-round holistic core muscle workout.

Abs Wheel

This exercise is actually harder than it looks! Aside from toning your abdominal muscles, the abs wheel increases your balance and control!

Medicine Ball

A familiar sight at most gyms, the simple medicine ball is one of the most multi-functional gym item! Overhead ball slams are a great way to start your core training as it not only improves your power, but also trains your abdominal muscles!

Stability Ball

Another balancing workout that improves your core utilizes the stability ball! Use it while doing your basic exercises like sit-ups or push-ups, and find that you will activate more muscles because of the increased difficulty.

Head over to the gym area at The Ring to kick start your core training regime! You can also join our Strength and Conditioning classes every Tuesday and Thursday and see for yourself the wonders of core training and the impact and influence it will have on your Muay Thai performance! Find our full schedule at https://www.thering.sg/schedule/.

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