Muay Thai Kickboxing in the Portland Area

If you're so new to the martial arts world that you don't know what Muay Thai is, allow me to explain. Muay Thai (thai boxing) is a kickboxing art which involves strikes coming from the knees, elbows, and head as well as kicks and punches. A devastating art which is being heavily used in todays' modern sports like the UFC and those alike. But Muay Thai has been around for centuries, a beautiful art of the Thai people. Perhaps you've seen movies involving Tony Jaa starring in "The Protector" and among quite a few others like that.

Personally, I respect thai fighters the most because of the cardiovascular workout in which they subject themselves to. I don't have great cardio and it's something I wish to work on, but when I see thai fighters and their physique, I'm not only jealous, but impressed. These guys are fit, you can see muscles, and they can go on with intensity round after round after round. Check out fighters like Ramon Dekkers or Mirko Cro Cop for some intense action.

A great place to learn Muay Thai techniques is at the Source Academy, technically located in Tigard, Oregon-next to the Washington Square Mall. It's a great school with a lot of students to train with. The reason that's great, is you've got different body physiques to learn how to deal with and having that chance to train with the myriad of students will help you. Even if you don't want to go "pro", training in Muay Thai will ultimately give you one heck of a workout.

Training Muay Thai at the Source Academy is a great place because there's a lot of parking space, unlike going to a martial arts school in urban Portland where the only parking available is in front of the building and you could possibly get a parking ticket for parking incorrectly. It's already happened to me! Not only are there parking spaces available, but the training area itself is huge, I'd say a good 30-35 people can train at once. Maybe even more!!

Space and more space isn't the only thing available to the student there at the academy. Heavy bags (6ft in length) hang from metal brackets and also there is a boxing ring in which people can practice their skills inside. Don't fret, no one will be forced to get in the ring and spar. No one actually spars unless the instructors ok the event and the student is willing to do so. Gloves and thai pads are also available there.

I think training at the academy is great. But it's even better when Muay Thai seminars are available for the student to train. The Source Academy holds quite a few classes every week in Muay Thai, but when a seminar is held there on a certain weekend, all day, man you have no idea the intensity and excitement of everyone. When I say everyone, I mean the student of the academy as well as students from all over the pacific northwest. The last Muay Thai seminar held in Portland (at the Source Academy) hosted around 75 people! It's an amazing feeling when you see 3 rows of 20 people or so doing the same movement in unison. It's almost like watching synchronized swimming on the Olympics.

Arjarn Chai Sirisute is the gentleman who brought the art of Muay Thai into the United States in 1968 (the oldest martial arts organization in the United States) and is likewise the gentleman who teaches the Muay Thai seminars. It's an amazing event to behold; he flies up from California, teaches for a weekend for 5 hours straight (Saturday and Sunday), and then leaves. But everything that happens in between is amazing! Let's talk about learning why the Thai kick is so effective!