HOME PRODUCTS NEWS ABOUT US View Cart What is the science of eight limbs? You've seen it in kickboxing flicks and mixed-martial-arts tournaments. You might even have tried it yourself while pounding a gym bag with an experimental cross of an elbow or a hip-torsioning roundhouse kick. Two fists, two feet, two elbows and two shins calloused by conditioning – that's Muay Thai, the science of eight limbs. Unlike other martial arts, Muay Thai practitioners don't strive for colored belt rankings. They don't memorize elaborate katas. They don't don black catsuits and claim to know mystical death touches. They simply practice a straightforward and distinctive series of knee and elbow strikes and low kicks, conditioning muscles and building power. Take, for instance, their basic roundhouse kick, a unique-in-the-world-of-martial-arts strike that relies on core strength and hip-twisting power to connect with all the subtlety of a thunderclap. Muay Thai has influenced today's mixed martial arts for a reason – eight reasons, in fact: The science of eight limbs. A brief history of Muay Thai In medieval Thailand (aka, Siam), soldiers didn't sweat losing their swords in battle, because they had a back-up plan: Muay Boran. Established under the rule of 16th century King Naresuan – who also practiced this martial art – Muay Boran consisted of elbow blows, knee strikes, and forceful kicks. It later flourished under the rule of Phrachao Sua, "The Tiger King," whose reign was so peaceful that Muay Boran evolved into a sporting event. In a plot straight out of a videogame, fighters would gather from all over Siam to compete for the favor of the king – who himself was rumored to battle incognito. Through the centuries, Muay Boran became a standardized sport. Hemp hand wraps replaced horse hair. Boxing gloves replaced hand wraps. Rings and rounds and weight classes were added. By the 1930s, it had evolved into Muay Thai, the sport you see in today's mixed-martial-arts matches. Yet it still shares much with the martial art that kept ancient Siam swordsmen in the fight if they lost their weapon.           Home  |  Products  |  News  |  About Us  |  Sizing & Shipping © Antarai All Rights Reserved