If you are considering for your kids to enroll in Muay thai classes, there is a high chance you’ve already heard some pretty weird things about the sport. If so, then let’s think in a rational way. Muay Thai is that it is a nearly thousand-year-old sport, and it is quite popular as a form of martial art in Western Countries. Certainly being widespread in Western countries from its birthplace Thailand, has made it one of the most popular sports in this globe.
Gossip comes with popularity, and the same applies here. As the sport has been gaining popularity, many people have humbugged just to surprise the audience with bogus stories. Today, we will debunk five interesting myths about Muay Thai for kids. These myths are non-scientific and hilarious to some extent; stay tuned to forestall the correct concepts about Muay Thai.
The History of Muay Thai
Before debunking the myths, we are discussing a little bit about Muay Thai, so you can get a clear idea about this sport. This part will help you to figure out the reality of any statement about Muay Thai you may hear in the coming few days.
- Origin of Muay That: The history of Muay Thai can be traced back to the Sukhothai dynasty of Thailand around the 13th century AD. As recorded in Thai history, the first Thai army was born out of a need to defend the kingdom, and soldiers were taught both armed and bare-handed combat.
- Development: Taking elements from Muay Boran, the traditional Thai kickboxing, Muay Thai, as a modern combat sport, gained popularity in the early 20th century. The sport was influenced by Western boxing, where codified rules and the boxing ring were put in place.
- Cultural Importance: The intricate movements of the Ram Muay are a cultural symbol, with each gesture carrying specific meanings, from invoking protection from one’s inner self to demonstrating martial skills. These rituals underscore Muay Thai’s roots in Thai culture, where respect, humility, and honor are paramount.
Myth #1: Muay Thai Is Unsafe for Children
It’s understandable to think that Muay Thai may be too dangerous for your child to participate in. However, this type of martial art is no more dangerous than other sports that children practice. In fact, we encourage parents to consider enrolling their children in our Muay Thai classes as early as possible. Muay Thai training and competitions feature safety measures such as boxing gloves, shin guards for elbow so the punches are the lowest scoring.
Myth #2: Muay Thai Promotes Aggression and Violence in Children
As a form of martial art, Muay thai is not about aggression or attacking someone. It trains a kid in self-defense techniques and doesn’t promote a violent mindset, such as attacking someone physically without being attacked. Muay Thai emphasizes using techniques for self-defense in any situation that has no relationship with aggression or violence.
Myth #3: Muay Thai Is Only for Fighters Who Want to Compete
It is true that anyone who has been training in Muay Thai can take it as a profession. But it is not compulsory. Muay thai makes practitioners fit and strong. It is a self-defense skill that any kid can learn as a healthy recreation also. At the same time, even adults who want to be fit and sporty in life can start training in Muay Thai.
Myth #4: Muay Thai Is Too Physically Demanding for Children
Muay Thai is designed to be a martial art that can be practiced by any kid or mature person without disabilities. Anyone without a disability can adopt easily. The training process of Muay Thai is progressive, it is not about learning to fly within a week, month, or year. It trains a practitioner gradually. The gradual training process makes a kid physically fit with stronger muscles and limbs. In Muay Thai, kids engage with kids from diverse cultures. Which creates an encouraging environment.
Myth #5: Muay Thai Is Only for Boys, Not Girls
It is just a gender discriminative statement that doesn’t align with the spirit of Muay Thai. It is a sport, and just like many other sports, any kid can join a kid’s Muay Thai Program without hesitation.
Actually, Girls need to join Muay Thai for valid reasons. Girls are often bullied by intruders. In such cases, they defend themselves with the teaching of Muay Thai.
Conclusion
Learning a sport can not be harmful. However, it is important to be under the supervision of a trained coach to avoid injury during this learning process.
If you are planning to enroll your kids in Muay Thai classes and many weird concepts are restraining you, just remember that scapegoating is common among people who want to fail. People who want to win know how to win, debunk the myths, and never follow them.
If you are planning to enroll your children in Muay Thai classes for kids, Schedule A Trial Class today in 10th Planet Poway, CA, or contact us at (858)-848-6444 for any further queries. Let’s give your kid a happy, strong, and compassionate life!
