We’ve had a lot of enquiries from our members regarding the Thai boxing class on Thursday (Invite only). Who can attend this class? What does invite only mean? How long do I have to train until I can access this class?
The Thai boxing invite only class was started to fulfil the identified needs of our more experienced members. Rather than having regular and veteran members continuously revisiting the basic Thai boxing skills we saw the need to keep them engaged at a skill level they required, in order to continue to develop their skills further. Thus, Thai boxing became basics and invite only training sessions.
After talking to Mark, our Thai boxing instructor we decided that a Thai boxing class for experienced students was a necessity. The class was to continue to expand and improve members’ technical and physical skills in Thai boxing.
What did this Thai boxing class mean for experienced students?
The students would learn in greater depth about Thai boxing techniques and their applications as well as becoming more informed about the Thai boxing culture as a sport and a Martial Art. This meant that every student participating in Thai boxing at invite only sessions is required to already know the Thai boxing basics as taught in the Tuesday and Friday classes. And know them well; as a drill.
The Thai boxing basics that we teach have been carefully selected to give every student the best foundation in Thai boxing. Our basics syllabus will also give the student maximum skill development from training in Thai boxing.
Basics will cover:
• Kick stance
• Boxing stance
• Thai kick
• Switch kick
• Kicking variations
• Elbows
• Knees
• Single punches
• Evading skills and follow up with punches
• Defensive skills and follow up with punches
• 4 count variations, and finally
• How to be proficient in using the focus mitts and Thai pads when training with a partner.
What does this mean for beginner student wanting to do the Thai boxing invite only class on Thursday?
It is of utmost importance that every beginner student in Thai boxing attends the basics training sessions to learn these drills in order to get into the Thai boxing invite only class. Once Mark, is satisfied that the beginner is competent and confident in doing these basics (including feeding with focus mitts and Thai pads) he will give you the go-ahead to join Thai boxing invite only sessions.
What if you can only make one Thai boxing basics class a week and you would really like to participate in the Thursday class?
There is also the possibility of getting one-on-one personal training ($60/hour) with Mark in order to go through and drill all the Thai boxing basics as required. The personal training sessions will focus on you and Mark will teach the basics at your own pace, and details what you need. The benefits from doing personal training sessions with Mark will accelerate your learning and your skills and get you into the invite only sessions in no time. During your personal training sessions you can focus on one particular aspect of the Thai boxing basics and you can get the finer points of Thai boxing basics from Mark who will make your technical skills smoother, sharper and better.
There you have it!
Getting into the Thai boxing invite only class is that easy!
Train as many repetitions of basics as possible so that it becomes part of your muscle memory. Drill it. Go the extra mile and approach Mark for some personal training sessions to re-enforce what you already know from the basics classes and get your technical skills smoother, sharper and better.
If you know anything about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, then you’ve heard the name Jean-Jacques Machado. If you haven’t heard the name Machado, then now is the time to start getting educated! Jiu Jitsu is originally a Japanese combat sport, and with the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan living in Brasil, it’s no wonder Jiu-Jitsu developed into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and also developed new techniques and new competitions.
There are two family names synonymous with BJJ; Gracie and Machado. Jean-Jacques Machado is one of the five Machado brothers, including Carlos, Roger, Rigan and John, renowned for their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) skills. Nephews of BJJ co-founder and Master Carlos Gracie, the brothers learned the martial art from an early age.
All the UFC fans out there should know of Royce Gracie, who competed in the cage against numerous martial arts and fight after fight walked out victorious. BJJ exploded onto the scene surpassing any Boxing, Kickboxing or Thai Boxing interest and BJJ boomed! Now people needed skills not only in their stand up kicking and punching, but also needed to know how to control opponents when taken to the ground. BJJ set new levels of skill requirements for competitions and MMA was born – a league of its own. Competitors now needed to be multi skilled in disciplines, demanding a higher work ethic and higher skill palate.
Jean-Jacques Machado is known for his grappling skills having won every major title in his native country, and then pursuing his career further abroad. Of late he has competed in (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships in his weight division, a Silver medalist in the open division in 2001 and Super fight Runner up in 2005.
Jean-Jacques Machado has a school in Tarzana, California, and has trained a number of champions; among his students are Eddie Bravo and Joe Rogan (UFC). For those of you wanting to develop your skills in grappling, and cannot make a trip to California soon – we are proud to announce a 3-hour seminar with the international champion and world class instructor, Jean-Jacques Machado. The seminar will be both gi and no gi techniques, and is open to all persons interested.
Since leaving my beloved island, Mauritius, I have sought to improve my knowledge through reading books, watching videos (yes that’s how old I am!) training and practising. Before leaving Mauritius I had a short stint learning Kung-fu from a mate. Back then learning martial arts was secretive and the very thought of someone doing such training would conjure up images of breaking bricks and shattering wood from a palm strike; complete with the infamous death touch and magic!
Little did I know that my short introduction to martial arts would have a life-long impact; that I would continue to train, teach, compete, and even write about this fascinating and dynamic practice.
In 1988 I moved with my family to Australia where I lived in Cabramatta, Sydney and my growing addiction of martial arts began… I would regularly walk past a group of Asian elders who would practice a form of tai- chi, combining movements from the Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Dragon and Crane. Eventually, after my curiosity and interest permeated through my skin, they kindly invited me to train with them! It had started…I then found Tae-Kwon Do at the local Police Citizen Youth Club (PCYC).
It wasn’t because I was bullied at school or because of B-grade movie stars – I wanted to train just because I loved it! And so, my journey continued… I went on to study Kenjutsu, Hapkido, Chow Wing Kune Do, Kali Illustrisimo, Thai Boxing and Western Boxing. I still wanted more; I had a hunger for martial arts, physically, mentally and spiritually and I had to find more.
It came to this; in 2000 I left my job, my family and my home to head to Adelaide to study and train martial arts full-time. What a leap – what an adventure – talk about following your dream! Adelaide opened up a world of opportunity for me! My journey went from reading books and watching videos of renowned instructors – to training in person with them! Here I got the opportunity to train and learn from world class Australian and international instructors. Wow!
As I grew, in martial arts and in years, my understanding of the different practices of martial arts developed within me. Everything I had previously learned – in Mauritius, Sydney and now in Adelaide made sense to me and the conversations I had had with my instructors started to mean much more. These moments are very dear to me as they have shaped the person and the teacher that I am today. And, as a result I offer similar guidance, patience and time to help shape my own student in their training and personal development, and hope that one day they too can impart their knowledge as teachers to their own students.
Growth, development and opportunities haven’t stopped here! After years of training and teaching I now have my own city fitness and martial arts club here Adelaide CBD – where I get to teach all sorts of people from all kinds of background and with all different abilities!
Ok, now for the honesty check. I have omitted a few things that I think bear mention now. This journey, as exciting as it has been for me since my departure from Mauritius, has also been filled with blood, sweat and tears, frustrations, loneliness, helplessness and martial arts politics. The standard turmoils of any adventure and every achievement.
Despite the journey being years long, riddled with twists, turns and dead ends my love and passion for martial arts has always been the driving force for me. Life without martial arts would be so much harder and far less interesting. Passion is what keeps me going even when the wall comes up to try and stop me. Passion is one of the greatest characteristic we possess as a human and from it we develop awesome skills like determination, discipline, creativity and humility. If you follow your passion to do what you love, simply for the love of it, and the joy that it brings you, then you will truly live the life you want the way you want. Your path might change, take new forms, and be tedious at times, but if it is your passion that is driving you, you will always be creating life and never just falling into it.
Powerfully choose to follow your passion and you will create everything you set out to create.
We all want the best in life whether it is for ourselves or for our family. The best can be described as so many things from wealth to good health, having someone to love and make love to, trustworthy friendships, success at work – employee of the year, as well as success in our social circle – to feel wanted, intellectual and mental agility and that thing some people call spiritual awakening. It all sounds good but few of us live such a life bountiful in energy and excitement in all of these areas. The rat race has made us work longer than before -especially now we have a mobile office thanks to the advances of technology. Hooray!!
Unfortunately for those of us trying to make ends meet, whether by not having enough or by having too much that we live in excess, we tend to exhaust one area more than others and as each of these areas are integrated within one another, and make up our complete life, when one area suffers – they all suffer.
Work-Life Balance
So, how do we work-life balance? Do we do it out of guilt because we think you need to? Do we do it because we have exhausted one area and any further excess will permanently cause changes irreversible to our life? Do we do it because it is the in thing at the moment and we want to be up with it? Whatever it is that makes us decide to introduce work-life balance it is there for a reason. And that reason is very real to all of us. When did you last slow down and decided the hell with everything, this is my life and my time! When you are asleep you say? Wonderful! As long as the number of hours sleeping counteracts the number of hours working. Yeah right! (It is now 3am as I am writing this article!)
So what is this article about I hear you say to yourself?
Is it a reality-check? Perhaps it’s a kick in the butt? This article is about slowing down and looking around and really looking around. For example, if you have 100 projects to finish by the end of the year, delegate to other people – they are capable. Give clear and concise guidelines that will stop you stressing about it. Schedule and stick to your schedule. Do a little bit at a time. Schedule in time for yourself, time for your kids or partner. Make it an appointment. We have some members who have scheduled their 45 minute lunchtime session in to their diary and are Unavailable at that time. Work-life balance is hard and like anything else it needs to be worked on, practiced and trained.
Put too much focus on your destination and the best you’ll have will not be worth much in the end. All the areas of our life need equal attention and fulfilment. Slow down a little so that you can enjoy the journey along the way and you might surprise yourself by finding a work-life balance that brings you the best in life and success!
Have you made the commitment to get active this month?
Promised yourself to get fit, lose weight, or improve your health?
Then stick at it!
Even if you’ve already stopped or if you’ve already fallen off schedule – get back on. Don’t kick yourself about it – do something about it. Get back on!
Today – power walk at lunch. Or tonight when you get home, no matter how tired you are, get out and go for a power walk. Dinner can wait, kids can wait. Power walk for 20 minutes. Make sure you keep a good pace, and use your arms to keep the pace up. You’ll sleep better tonight for doing it!
If your kids want to come or need to come with you, walk to a park where they can play in the playground while you power walk around the outskirts. Take a towel and do 10 sit ups at each corner.
Remember, you have your whole life ahead of you – it might as well be a healthy one!
