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Muay Thai Kickboxing for the Ladies in Brooklyn
[Update 04/17/2009: Beginning April 27th, I will be teaching at Area instead of Mission. I still love Mission though. Just had to put that out there. I will be teaching children's classes in addition to the adult's classes. Lots and lots of information here]
When I lived in Utah I was bored. So I let my fingers do the walking in the yellow pages and I found myself looking at Muay Thai Kickboxing. I was kind of feeling punk-rock and like I didn't want to do the whole "nice gym" thing, so I signed up for a Full Contact Muay Thai Kickboxing trial at a gym that looked like it was lifted from a prison yard. I'm not going to lie - the vibe kinda rang my bell. I was one of maybe three girls there, and the place was full of tattooed angry men, mostly Fire Fighters, Policemen, and Ex-Cons working out some big issues on heavy bags which were duct taped together. My first day there I spent a good twenty minutes sitting in my car working up some guts to walk into the place.
 | My trainers didn't have what you would call a "soft touch". The equipment was sub-par but still I stayed because I really wanted them to let me into the boxing ring. You weren't allowed to spar until you had your technique up to a certain place. When I finally got there, I thought I was going to loose all of my guts onto the floor because I was so nervous. But I got through, and not only that, I received my first compliment from my corner-man. Soon enough the gym expanded, upgraded and imported Sakasem (Sem) "The Punisher" Kanthawong from Thailand to be it's head trainer. This powerhouse had over 225 fights under his belt, more than a few World Muay Thai championships, and had never been knocked out. It was an honor to have him be |
my trainer. I worked hard and consistently with him, and got to a place where I could hold my own, even when I was sparring in the ring with men who fought for Pride or K1.
I had many injuries over my years with Sem. Broken feet, broken ribs, snapped tendons and bruised everything; but he was vigilant about continuing to train me around my injuries, and letting me heal when I needed to. When the time came for me to lasso my first professional fight, I was terrified. I trained like crazy with Sem when I learned that it was to be held in Las Vegas, and that it would be broadcast on Pay-Per-View. I had it put in my contract that I didn't have to fight wearing a bikini in a vat of jell-o, you know - just to be sure.
Six weeks before the fight, I found out I was six weeks pregnant. Obviously I wasn't going to make my cut-weight. The fight was off, the pregnancy was on and I couldn't believe my luck that I was going to be a mom. Sem took the news like the champion is his. He continued to train me like I was a Prize-Fighter for the remainder of my preganancy, bringing my workouts down as I needed him to. He would always joke that "your baby be born with black eye!" And I kinda wish it would have been true because Sem would have smiled.
Now in Brooklyn, I am training again. But this time I'm the trainer, and I have the best students. I keep my classes very small so I can work with each person the way I was trained. I focus on technique and safety, but also try to keep that brutal edge that Muay Thai is famous for. I have also carried forward the dedicated format of push-ups and jump rope to keep the heart-rates flying. It is awesome to be involved in the sport again - and I invite any woman to join us Tuesday or Thursday mornings at 9:30 - 11:00 at Mission Martial Arts. (Their website is seriously out of date so if you have questions about my classes, email me.) If you're into it, or think you might be or maybe you're against it and want to let me know, feel free to email my at my addy in the sidebar.  |  |
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4/17/2009 1:52 PM
PISTOLSANDPOPCORN.COM wrote:
I’ve had this news in the works for a while but it’s all in action now so I can finally officially promote it here. I’ve been given the chance to organize and run a new Muay Thai Kickboxing program here in Brooklyn, at Area Yoga. I’m really looking forward to this for a few reasons. First, I’ve designed a children’s kickboxing program because what child does not want to hit and kick stuff? Second, I’ll be starting a class for girls ages 12 and up. I’m hoping I can make a difference in defining a ...
i think i could be into this. i'm a little afraid of getting smacked around but i may be able to get over that if i get to smack around in kind.
one question. do i have to ever get in the ring with those men? they look a little scary.
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Ha! No you don't have to get in the ring with those guys. Pictured is Sem, my trianer, and Kwame Stephens, an amazing fighter. Between you and me - I sparred with Kwame, and made him cry several times.*
*This statement has not been reviewed by the Pistols and Popcorn Ethics and Honesty Board
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Awesome.
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So why only for women? I'd join up. If you trained with those guys I figure you could teach me a thing or two.
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Respect. For the writing and the fighting!
I only kept up with my Kickboxing for some weeks. I really hated it getting punched on my head. Much more i liked the end of the sessions with nice chillout sounds and a pleasant head massage.
And i am a black 240 pounds Ex-Bouncer and Ex-Con in Germany
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I've heard about Muay Thai so often, I think it's very-very popular nowadays all over the world. What is really surprising for me is why all these nice types of boxing and wrestling were invented in the far east? what is so peculiar about this region?
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I also like to try boxing. But I can see it's a little hard for me to work out.
BTW, Nice shirt.
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Hi,
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
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Hi,
When I lived in Utah I was bored. So I let my fingers do the walking in the yellow pages and I found myself looking at Muay Thai Kickboxing. I was kind of feeling punk-rock and like I didn't want to do the whole "nice gym" thing, so I signed up for a Full Contact Muay Thai Kickboxing trial at a gym that looked like it was lifted from a prison yard. I'm not going to lie - the vibe kinda rang my bell.
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Hi,
For fitness buffs and runners who live in New York, even the vast trails of Central Park get boring. If your mind and body are craving a change of pace, but your eyes still want the trees and grass of the park, all you have to do is add a little play to your run day.
fitness activities
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