"Ten in a row on each side." Said the coach. If he had been talking about punches I might have been OK. But it was the last few minutes of grueling, two-hour training session, and he was talking about kicks. I sweat about five liters of water during these workouts, and one reason I circle […]
Readers have written in from all over the world asking what is the difference between these two, ancient southeast Asian arts. What is Bokator: Bokator is the ancient Cambodian martial art, which was nearly whipped out duringt the Khmer Rouge genocide. Through the sacrifices of Grand Master San Kim Saen, the art was reborn. After […]
On my return to Shanland I met with another leading Lai Tai, Kung Fu student and filmed his art. As always, I met up with Kawn Wan, interviewed him about his views on martial arts and on the future of the Shan people. https://youtube.com/watch?v=cLzpgjSpA5A I need some help. My paramedic training is going well in […]
The Shan martial art of Lai Tai is nearly unknown outside of Shanland and is not that widely practiced inside of Shan State because of the SPDC prohibitions against Shan culture. Thank God, I met Kawn Wan, the Lai Tai teacher at Loi Tailang. Together, we did some videos and stories to help preserve the […]
“You can gain extra power on your kicks by throwing your kicking arm down, but you need to protect your face with a cross arm defense.” Explained Adjarn Ngern, at the national kick boxing stadium in Vientiane, Lao. In Tae Kwan Do and a lot of other kicking arts, the right hand comes down when […]
“Some people have found their way. Others are looking for the way. I was a fighter once. I hadn’t found the way yet. It is ok. We will search and search until we find it. If people don’t know any better yet, how can we blame them? We have to allow them to search.” Explained […]
Flashes of steel the clank of metal, blades blazing like fire: This is a practice session for Kru Pedro Villalobos and his trainer, Adjarn, one of the last living masters of Krabi Krabong, the Thai art of stick and sword fighting. “If I do not block, he will definitely hit me.” Says Kru Pedro Villaobos, […]
Muay Thai Chakrit A Brooklyn Monk Training in Bangkok By Antonio Garceffo Coach Adjan Chakrit moves in circles, holding up the focus mitts, he calls out the commands. “One, one two.” I throw a straight left, right combination. “Four!” That means, left, right, hook, straight. This part is easy for me. I have been boxing […]
An old man slapped me under the chin with the palm of his hand. My head whipped back, and I saw stars. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Asked my Vietnamese friend and guide in Ho Chi Minh City. "I guess I did, but I hadn’t counted on it hurting so bad." I […]
"If you want to train for fighting number one, you must be fit." Says Paddy Carson, a professional trainer for Bradal Serey, Khmer Kickboxing, in Phnom Penh. For the last four years I have been living in Phnom Penh, off and on, and Paddy has been my teacher, pushing me beyond the limits time and […]