Muay Boran vs Muay Thai
Muay Boran and Muay Thai are products of the same origin, the latter being a product of more stringent rules that were set in place. Both Muay Boran and Muay Thai make use of the same boxing and kicking strikes. Both apply the constant use of elbows and knees. And both are very effective stand-up fighting systems. The differences between the two become evident when it comes to specifics which includes stance, footwork, defense and striking applications. And since Muay Boran was created during a time when fighting had no rules, it includes the skills of grabbing and breaking bones, throwing and striking opponents when they fall, as well as rolling and striking while on the floor. In the past, fights did not stop when someone fell on the ground. It ended when a fighter surrendered or died. This was the old school way of fighting and this is the essence of Muay Boran.
Muay Boran Development
Created during a time when firearms did not exist, the ancient masters developed a comprehensive Martial Arts system. Each technique has its one unique name and application. And to become a student in the old days, one had to first be accepted by a Muay Boran teacher. But this was no easy task. A student had to prove his dedication by doing basics for years before moving on to the next set of skills. Such basics include the learning of footwork and other fundamentals such as blocking prior to advancement. By the time a student of Muay Boran was considered proficient in the art and ready to fight, he would have been in his mid to late 30s, which was still considered young to be a fighter in ancient days. Mastering the skills of being a complete Muay Boran fighter took years of intense dedication, for fighters of the old where full of originality, knew how to avoid getting hit, could deal with any fighting situation that came their way, and were trained to finish off an opponent by any means possible.
Muay Boran has many levels. To train in Muay Boran is to start with the basics, understand terminology, build a solid foundation, apply the use of techniques, learning the concepts and how to deal with other styles of fighting while combining everything to create a sense of self through the art of Muay Thai. The subtleties can only be taught by a knowledgeable teacher, subtleties which include proper angles, targets, and training routines kept secret by the few. The secret lies in the knowledge of practical techniques infused with specific concepts of fighting and wisdom which are as valuable today as they were in ancient times. Nowadays, partial Muay Boran can be seen in some places, youtube clips, and demonstrations (including those in Thailand). Some places claim to know about Muay Boran, yet fail to teach it as a complete system. Knowing a few techniques does not constitute a full curriculum. There are even a few books on this subject. But the secret of Muay Boran is in the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in movements and body placement which turns a standard technique into a truly effective one. It can only be taught face-to-face by a knowledgeable teacher who understands the underlying meaning behind each movement, who is adequately experienced in combat, and who is well versed in the language of fighting.
Elements of Muay Boran
- Solid stance including proper positioning of the body
- Various footwork including walking, sliding, skipping, jumping, knee-up, and more
- Self-defense skills including blocking, parrying, redirecting, covering, and opening
- Striking skills including punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbowing
- Other strikes including knuckles, backhand, open palm, as well as other kicks
- The skills of grabbing, breaking, throwing, sitting, falling, rolling and standing
- Ways of developing strength, both external and internal
- The fighting strategy and emphasis of Muay Boran
- The philosophy, culture, mindset, and concepts of Muay Boran
- Turning defense into offensive skills
- Mastering the art of Broken Rhythm