Just like kickboxing, Muay Thai involves punches and kicks within the entire session. This fat-burning fitness program demands optimum discipline and regular training that’s intensive. You are to carry what your trainer has to say. Not many have yet appreciated the greatness of Muay Thai as workout program. A few men have probably have but they have to know further what this intense training has in store for them.

These 8 rudiments of Muay Thai training should explain you further why this kind of training is an effective workout program:

1.Warming up. This is one of the core elements that you have to carry on. To awaken the muscles will help you promote flexibility. As you warm up, you are actually loosening your joints so that your body is prepared for high impact training.

2.Developing Endurance. If you are starter in this boxing training, it will take about two months for you to achieve the peak of gaining adequate endurance.

3.Duration of Training. Neither is Muay Thai training too long nor too short. This means over-training or under-training won’t do any good but wear and tear of joints. If you are too tired because of long duration of this training, you muscles tend to be sore and injured when worse.

4.Limitations. Practitioners of this program have varied setbacks in terms of execution and ability to recover from being consumed from intense stances.

5.Strength. You need to have optimum strength and energy to be able to carry on the movements in Muay Thai. You need some strength training through weightlifting, bench presses and barbell lifting so that you can endurance the intensity involved in boxing. If you are not able to increase your speed and strength, you won’t effectively execute the kicks, punches, lunges and turns in the program.

6.Movement Upgrade. In the trainer’s case, he has to be modifying or integrating stances that allow the boxing practitioner to be more challenged rather than bored.

7.Intensity. The intense assertion of kicks and punches allow you to increase you balancing and enduring capabilities. If intensity of training is too high, you can shorten the program from one hour to 30 minutes. Intensity makes it more effective, not the quantity of movements executed.

8.Special Aim. This isn’t just a cardio routine but a program that promotes physical vigor, muscle flexibility and bodily relaxation. After training sessions, you can continue practicing without supervision to improve your performance in the succeeding session with your trainer.

Muay Thai is a kind of intensive workout program that advanced fitness buffs can engage into. Beginners can still give a shot at this, but with proper guidance and focused training rendered by a professional boxing mentor.

The Thai mango is known as “Ma Muang” in Thai, although this varies by region. For example, in the Northern region a mango is also known as “Pae,” and in the South as “Pao.” The mango is rich in symbolic meaning. As part of the feng shui tradition, for generations many Thais have believed that growing a mango tree on the south side of the house will bring prosperity to the family. More broadly, mangoes are so widely enjoyed in Thailand and surrounding countries that they truly do represent a precious part of the culture. There are perhaps more than one hundred types of Thai mangoes, many of them hybrids developed in Thailand. The mango tree only bears fruit once per year, and its season is between late March and early June. This is the time one will find delicately delicious mangoes – a fairly small window of time for top quality. Nevertheless, this small window of time represents much of the enjoyment of mangoes by so many in Thailand, making it in effect a staple for meals and especially desserts.

Thai mangoes vary in size, shape and color depending on the type, soil and harvest areas. The shapes of mangoes can be round, kidney-like in shape, oval, or a long slender shape. The color of a raw mango is typically green, but the color of ripe mangoes (the skin) can be yellow, yellow-green, green, yellowish orange or yellowish red. All mangoes have only one flat seed surrounded by flesh. Ripe mangoes have flesh that is yellow, golden-yellow, orange or orange-yellow.

The following are the most well-known mango types:

• Nam Dok Mai: oval with a sharp pointed tip. The ripe fruit has golden-yellow flesh with a sweet-scented taste;
• Kiaw Sa Woei: oblong dark green fruit. The ripe fruit has pale white flesh with a sweet taste;
• Thong Dam: oval with rounded tip. The ripe fruit has yellowish orange flesh with a sweet taste;
• OK Rhong: oval with rounded tip. The ripe fruit has light yellowish orange flesh with a sweet taste;
• Raed: oblong with a small pointed knob. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh with a sweet-scented taste;
• Pim Sian: oval with tapered tip. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh with a sweet taste;
• Nang Klang Wan: oblong with curved and tapering tip. The ripe fruit has light yellow flesh and a sweet-scented taste.

As I experienced in Thailand, mangoes are eaten in a number of ways depending on the type of mango. Both ripe and raw mangoes are enjoyed as snacks. Nam Dok Mai, Nang Klang Wan, Thong Dam and OK Rhong are usually served at the peak of ripeness. The most famous dessert is perhaps mangoes with sticky rice (Khao Niaw Ma Muang). Increasingly, this dish is being offered at restaurants in America as well. Kiaw Sa Woei, Pim Sian, Fah Lan and Raed are preferably eaten raw, even though they are also delicious as ripe mangoes. Well-liked dishes include Mango Salad (Yum Ma Muang – spicy shredded raw mangoes) and Crispy Shredded Catfish with Raw Mango Salad (Yum Pla Duk Foo).

When eating raw mangoes, dipping sauce is essential. The two common dipping sauces are:

• mixed of salt, sugar and crushed dry chilli, called Prik Gleua in Thai,
• mixed of chilli, fish sauce and palm sugar, heated to a caramel-like consistency, called Nam Pla Wan in Thai

Besides eating fresh and raw mangoes, Thais also use mangoes to make ice cream, juice and milkshakes, as well as pickled mango (Ma Muang Dong), dry pickled mango (Ma Muang Chae Im), or air dried pureed mango (Ma Muang Kuan). Since mangoes ripen so quickly and are abundant during the season, many mangoes are canned and sold, both domestically and internationally. Mango products are usually made from other types of mango such as Kaew, Chok Anan and Maha Chanok.

Thais not only use mangoes as fruit or in cooking, but in medicine as well. The following process is one example. The seed of the ripe mango is dried, and subsequently ground up or boiled in water. This process results in a drink which helps one with health problems such as a bloated feeling or to get rid of a parasite or worm. Another approach involves boiling 15-20 mango leaves with water to create a drink to treat bloated feelings, ulcerative colitis, or for other applications such as external use to clean wounds. Some drink water boiled with the bark of a mango tree to reduce fever. As always, consult a physician as appropriate before deciding on treatments.

Asian grocery stores in America often do not have Thai mangoes, but may have products made from Thai mangoes. In this case, if mango juice or mangoes with sticky rice sound appealing this summer, mangoes from the Philippines or Mexico are your best substitute. Costco often offers Mexican mangoes – wait until they are ripe – the skin will be very yellow. Mangoes from the Philippines may be better, but they are equally if not more difficult to find.

As the vast majority of people in Southeast Asia eat mangoes, the cultural significance of the mango is broadly based. The mango has been a luscious and precious staple for generations. This is an ongoing result of both the high quality Thai mango itself, and the inspiration of its many delicious variations, uses, and cultural heritage.

Napatr Lindsley

Thai cuisine is one of the best gourmets in the world. It is well known for the diversity of ingredients, outstanding spiciness and ample medicinal properties. Most of Thai food is cooked and refined with more than two types of herbs or spices which are beneficial to health.

The (mostly unconscious) principle Thai food is the balance of five flavors which are spicy, salty, sweet, sour and bitter. The one indispensable ingredient which is generally used in seasoning a majority of Thai cuisine is fish sauce. Thai food is eaten either as a single dish or with rice. Steamed rice is the staple food although sticky rice is more popular in the north and northeast of Thailand.

Thai food is one of many things that you should not miss while you are traveling in this beautiful “Land of Smiles”. Since there are numberless delectable Thai dishes, I am writing this guideline for you to select the most distinctive and authentic ones out of the plethora of Thai signature dishes.

The following list is a top 10 rank of Thai food that you must not miss. The consideration and ranking is based on the popularity, uniqueness and authenticity of the delicacies. Here are the winners.

10. Kai Pad Med Mamuang Himmapan (Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts)

Even though Kai Pad Med Mamuang Himmapan does not represent the overview of Thai food but it is a very nice treat to your bland taste buds. Since it is by no means spicy or hot, this slightly sweet and salty chicken fried with crunchy cashew nuts is aptly satiating for children or beginners who are not used to spices.

9. Por Pia Tord (Fried Spring Roll)

Fried spring roll is one of the most popular appetizers among foreigners because it is not spicy and comes with sweet and sour dip. Spring rolls are crispy pastries with fried vegetable fillings. Though spring rolls are commonplace in many Southeast Asian countries, Thai Por Pia is different in flavors with a special dip prepared from Japanese apricot.

8. Panaeng (Meat in Spicy Coconut Cream)

Panaeng can be cooked using either pork, chicken or beef. Panaeng tastes like Thai red curry but the coconut milk sauce is relatively thicker and richer. Compared to Thai red curry, Panaeng is mildly spicy and sweet. Paneang is best served with warm steamed rice. There is nothing to dislike about Panaeng expect the fact that it can be too greasy or fleshy for some people.

7. Som Tam (Spicy Papaya Salad)

Som Tam is one of the most popular foods among Thai people for its fiercely spicy and sour flavors. Som Tam, which literally means “Sour Pounded”, is a spicy salad made from a mix of fresh vegetables including shredded unripened papaya, yardlong beans and tomato. Som Tam is unique that the spicy dressing and salad vegetables are pounded and mixed in the mortar using a pestle. Somtam is usually served with grilled chicken and sticky rice. Som Tam is good for your health that it contains no fat, low calorie and high vitamins. This is a truly authentic Thai dish that will make a great impression. The only reason why I’m ranking Som Tam at No.7 (though it deserves higher rank) is its strong spiciness that might leave your tongue burned and swollen. Just say “Mai phed” (not spicy) to your waiter if you really want to try.

6. Moo Sa-Te (Grilled Pork Sticks with Turmeric)

This tantalizing sweet-flavored grilled pork sticks are refined with rich, juicy sauce made of turmeric and curry powder. Moo Sa-Te makes a savory hors d’oeuvres that will appease any taste buds. These juicy grilled pork sticks are usually served with two saucy dips – one is a mildly spicy thick sauce with ground peanuts, coconut milk and curry powder and another one is a sweet and sour vinegar sauce with chopped shallot, pepper and cucumber to mitigate its oiliness.

5. Tom Yam Kai (Spicy Chicken Soup)

Chicken soup is very good to eat when you have a cold but Tom Yam Kai or spicy chicken soup is a yummy treat that you will fall in love with just in a first sip. Tom Yam Kai is a clear chicken soup seasoned with a blend of chili, lime and fish sauce. The broth is simmered with Thai herbs as lemon grass, shallot and galangal which give it a unique and satiating aroma. My foreign friends order this tasty soup anywhere they go so you should not miss it by any means!

4. Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup)

Although Tom Kha Kai is another variation of chicken soup, it deserves the No.4 because of its unparalleled taste and popularity. Similar to Tom Yam Kai, the broth is prepared with many types of Thai herbs with the special addition of coconut milk that makes this soup unique. Though the soup is seasoned with chili, lime and fish sauce just like Tom Kha Kai, thanks to the coconut milk, the broth is milder and less spicy. This is probably more liked by non-spicy eaters.

3. Kang Keaw Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)

Since we are having three dishes in a row made of “Kai”, you would have guessed that it is chicken in English. Not that chicken is particularly popular in Thai cuisine; it is usually used in most curry and soup. Kang Kiew Wan, literally translated as “Sweet Green Curry”, is nicely sweet and slightly spicy and tastes very delightful with a proper blend of the spiciness from green curry chili paste, blandness from coconut milk, sweetness of sugar and saltiness of fish sauce. It is usually eaten with steamed rice or served as a sauce to rice noodle known as “Kanom Jeen” likewise to how you eat Spaghetti.

2. Pad Thai (Fried Noodle)

This national dish prides itself for its long history traced back in previous centuries. Pad Thai flaunts the authenticity of Thai culinary arts in using only fresh and best ingredients and the well-balancing of the five fundamental flavors.  The stir-fried noodle becomes popular because it tastes yummy and comes with a choice to add in a set of seasonings to suit your appetites. Through history, Pad Thai has evolved into two different styles: the classic and the variation. The classic Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chili pepper plus bean sprouts, shrimp and tofu and garnished with crushed peanuts and coriander while another style is relatively dry and lightly-flavored. The latter is easily found in street vendors and dominant in Thai restaurants in the West but the having classic Pad Thai freshly cooked in its original country is a way to go.

1. Tom Yam Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

No other dishes can defeat this renowned Tom Yam Goong as the optimal representative of Thai gourmet. Tom Yam Goong is truly one of a kind with its fierce spiciness and sourness and a blatant use of fragrant herbs including galangal, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, shallot, tamarind and chili pepper. There are two styles of Tom Yam; the clear spicy soup and thick spicy soup. The latter is cooked by adding coconut milk or milk to the broth in order to thicken the stock and give the dish a milder flavor. Tom Yam is very versatile and can be made with prawns, chicken, fish and mix of seafood, and mushroom. Tom Yam Goong is the most popular variety of Tom Yam since Spicy Shrimp Soup is the original. Though not very surprising, Tom Yam Goong is definitely a signature dish of Thailand.

Even though it is commonly known that Thai food utilizes many health herbs and spices, there have always been debates whether Thai food is really good for health since they tend to be somewhat greasy. It is important to note that it depends on each dish; some can be highly caloric but many dishes make a good use of herbs. Garlic, for example, is very good healthwise because it can prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cancer.

No matter what the food is, the same old concept of moderate intake comes into play. From Mcdonald’s burger to Japanese Sushi, a key to optimal fitness is to avoid overconsumption. Thus, a claim that Thai food is mainly coconut-based and fattening should never be an adequate reason for you to still order a Big Mac. Ravish your taste buds with Thai food – tasty and healthy!

Thailand has a rich culture that goes back many centuries. It can trace its origins to India; the eminent French scholar Georges Coedes included Thailand among the Indianized states of southeast Asia. However, the cultural influences, although emanating from the Subcontinent, entered the country via Burma, the Khmer Empire, and the southern kingdom of Srivijaya.

The Thais are proud of their cultural achievements, and with reason. But to appreciate Thai culture properly some background knowledge is helpful. The bookshop at Silpakorn Fine Arts University has an excellent range of literature on this subject, and if you would like to engage a guide or go on a guided tour the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) can help. The following lines offer a brief introduction.

There are two important influences on Thai culture. One is Buddhism. The other is the Ramayana, the Hindu epic poem written in Sanskrit between 500 and 100 BCE by the sage Valmiki. The epic eventually spread to Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, and King Rama I wrote a version entitled the Ramakien. Themes from the epic are present in Thai murals and Thai classical dance.

Thai Dance Thai classical dance (lakhon) was originally performed only at the royal court, but it can now be seen in theaters (notably the National Theater) and is often performed at wedding parties and other celebrations as well as in tourist restaurants.

The whole of the Ramakien would take days to perform, and a performance normally consists of just one episode. A chorus and narrators recite the narrative with musical accompaniment. The dancers tell the story through the use of stylized gestures and postures, and their movements are very slow. They hold their bodies straight from the neck to the hips and move them up and down with knees bent stretching to the rhythm of the music. Their brocaded costumes resemble the dress worn by royalty and mythological figures in old mural paintings. Masks are worn where a character is a demon or monkey.

Classical Music

Thai classical music uses a tonal system different from Western music, but those who are acquainted with Indonesian gamelan music will find many similarities. Unlike Western music which has full tones and semitones in the octave, Thai music has an eight-note octave consisting of full tones.

Among the instruments used are: The ranad or Thai xylophone is usually slightly curved and resembles a boat.

Drums (glong) come in a variety of shapes and sizes; the shallow drum is known as the ram mana.

The kawng is a gong; one common variation is the kawng wong yai, which is a series of gongs (kong) suspended on a circular frame.

The saw is a stringed instrument that is played with a bow. Its body is made from half a coconut shell.

The ching are cymbals.

The bamboo pipe (pee) is a type of oboe.

The orchestra that accompanies Thai classical dance performances-known as a pipat orchestra-usually includes a ranad, pee, ching, kawng wong yai, and a glong.

Sometimes it’s rather difficult to know if you are learning, using, and practicing real Muay Thai. I will give you in this article very specific ways and questions that will reveal the truth. If you apply what I am going to tell you, I am sure you will no longer have any questions whether if you are learning an authentic martial art; furthermore, you will also know if the person who is teaching, instructing or training you is indeed qualified to be taking your money for lessons.

OK, let’s just get straight to it. I’m going to give you very specific questions to ask anyone that says they indeed know and instructs real Muay Thai.

1)When and where did this person fight in Thailand?

2)How many fights did he have in Thailand?

3)How long did he live in Thailand?

4)What gyms and camps did he fight for?

Let’s look at these in a little more detail: if the person did not fight in Thailand, then they have no idea what real Muay Thai is. Believe me, the real rules only exist in Thailand. Many countries use a different point system and most all prohibit the use of elbows, clinch fighting and clinch throws. These are all important to real Muay Thai training and fighting.

It is also difficult to say that you are qualified to instruct Muay Thai if you have had only one or two fights. You must remember that most pros in Thailand have had 200 or more fights before they go into full time professional teaching.

This also goes hand and hand with the fact that to have fought a great deal in Thailand it’s necessary to live in Thailand. Someone that merely passes his holidays in Thailand is not qualified to teach.

And if he was a full time fighter then he probably represented a gym or camp. Finding out what the camp’s name is and where it’s located is a good way to find out if the person is legitimate.

You see it’s very important in any field to know that you are learning and paying for a qualified professional who has the proper background to effectively teach you the correct way. These simple questions will help you eliminate wasted time, effort, heart ache, and expense.

I wish you well your endeavor to learn, train and use real Muay Thai.

Introduction: Pongal

Pongal is a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, the south most state of India. It is also known as “Thai Pongal”. The word ‘Thai’ is one of the months name in Tamil language. In general, people across the state reap crops cultivated in their own lands in January of every year. Then they celebrate the Pongal to convey their gratitude to the Sun and Cattle those who helped for cultivation. There is a famous quote in Tamil Language called “thai piranthaal vazhi pirakkum” which means “all the good things will start to happen once the month Thai (January) begins / Every problem will be resolved in a good way.”

Four-Day festival

Thai Pongal is a four-day festival. Namely Bogi, Thai Pongal, Perumpongal/Mattu Pongal and Karinaal.

First Day: Bogi – people celebrate bogi by burning old clothes and dresses

Second Day: Thai Pongal – Prepare boiled rice and worship the Sun god. This is an act of offering the boiled rice to the Sun.

Third Day: Perum Pongal/Mattu Pongal – A kind of preparing boiled rice (rice taken from just reaped paddy) seasoned with cow’s milk (A2). People say “Pongalo Pongal” aloud when the rice boils over.

Fourth Day: Karinaal – play Jallikattu (Bull-Taming sport), cook non-vegetarian etc.

A Tamil Joint Family Celebrates Pongal

I spoke to the head of the family. He said “Me and my four sons’ families gather here to celebrate it. We are about 50 members in our family. Each family contributes 3500 to 5000 rupees including my family for this event to make it big. We buy new mud pots every year to boil the rice, buy new clothes for male members and new dresses for female members to wear on during this festival. The Mattu (cows and bulls) Pongal day is special for us. We bathe our own cattle on this day, we paint their horns, we decorate them like a god and we worship them. We take well matured paddies, remove husks to get first class rice and use this rice to prepare Pongal. We don’t taste it. We first feed the Pongal to each cattle without fail. It is our greatness to show our gratitude because they helped us to cultivate the rice and other vegetables that we eat every day. Then we sit in a row to eat. Our family members will look very colorful on this day. I can see smiling faces.” Harmony blooms while we gather for celebration, he added. I was longing to eat along with them and was waiting for his invite. At last he invited me to eat. Nevertheless, I relished the village food verities including Pongal.

Conclusion

In my point of view, this is a well known thanks giving traditional festival of Tamil Nadu. As a Tamilian, I await every Tamil New year occasion to see good things happen. I have strong belief in the quote “thai printhaal vazhi pirakkum” since have been inculcated so. There is no room for superstition because it has a logical reason behind this trust. People will obviously earn money by selling their newly harvested crops. This amount will help them to buy and do good things. So, there is no doubt in happening auspicious incidents. We will meet in another article soon. Thank you for reading.

Dear Martial Art Friend,

My name is Carlos Redlich and I’ve got to tell you that in today’s world the art of Muay Thai has been virtually lost. I’m not talking about that MMA Thai boxing. What I’m talking about is the real deal, hardcore, straight from Thailand, no nonsense Thai boxing.

Unfortunately most people now-a-days have no clue about how the Art of Muay Thai was really brought to the United States. It most definitely was not brought by the guy you might think!

I’m not dropping any name’s but you’d be wrong if you thought the “main man” was now living in Las Vegas doing reality shows…

The true art of the Thai people has been almost COMPLETELY lost.

If it weren’t for Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisuite we wouldn’t even know how to do a proper “Thai Kick” down here in Miami, Florida. Thanks to him (the person who was blessed by the king of Thailand to spread Thai boxing in the Western World) we now have one of the only original sources of Thai martial arts in not just Miami, Florida or the United States but in the entire Western World!

Before you join a Thai boxing school in your area I’d do a lot of research on the school as well as the instructors that teach there. Did they just get a “MMA Certificate” and now teach Thai Kick boxing, or do they really know something about the true art?

You can do all this research on Google. Just type in your city and Muay Thai. For example, “Miami Muay Thai.” That way you’ll find the schools in your area and can now officially begin your search for the schools with authentic Thai style kick boxing.

Attire: What does one wear for a massage, et al appointment at the spa? Personally, I think one should wear what’s comfortable. This might also depend on your plans before and after your massage. Some people bring an extra change of clothes and change. However, for your sessions themselves, attire is a whole other thing. Massages like Shiatsu and Thai require comfortable, yoga-like clothing. No jeans! Your therapist will need to stretch you and you will be contorted into several different positions throughout so yoga-like clothing, shorts or tights are best, although we are trained to professionally drape you.

For regular massages on the table (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai-Swedish and/or Shiatsu-Swedish, etc.), no clothes are needed underneath your sheet and/or blanket. This depends, however, on the level of comfort you have with your own body and the therapist working for you. Expect to be handled, while naked, but draped professionally and handled with dignity. Underpants are fine, but may become troublesome if your complaints are for lower back pains, in which case, these could prevent your therapist from accomplishing the task of giving you relief effectively; not to mention that you run the risk of our getting oils all over them and hence potentially ruining them. The sacrum, gluteus, coccyx, periformis, etc., are all involved in lower back/circulation problems and manipulation of these is sometimes necessary to relieve back and/or leg pain. If you wear boxers or panties to your knees (not thongs) during your massage, then we might not be able to effectively get to your complaint spots or target the “solution” spots. We are trained to drape you professionally and will protect your dignity, so get naked, supine or prone under the covering as directed, and let us get to work on those tight muscles.

Once we have brought you in to the massage room, please put your clothes where your therapist invites you to. We walk around the table to work on you and don’t want to trip over your clothes on the floor or have to waste time moving them. Don’t waste time folding them. Hang them up or lay them on the chair, etc. provided. We are not concerned about your attire, except if it becomes a hazard.

Conversation:-Your therapist should do a quick consult with you. I usually do this at the beginning of the session as we get behind closed doors (never proper to do this in the “earshot” of others). This way, I get to focus on you and not talk during the massage. Feel free to ask any questions you have during this time, however, this is not to say I won’t answer you if you have questions during the session. The point is that if I talk with you throughout, then I am not focused on the concern you came in with, and you can’t really relax if your mind is loaded with “interference.”

Have any conversation at the beginning or end of your session, keeping in mind that time between you and the next client is limited. Honestly, I know you didn’t come in to talk, so the only “conversation” I should hear from my client while they are on the table is “less pressure please”…LOL…or the occasional complimentary, “Oh that feels so good,” etc. Your snores and catching your drool are great commentaries as regards how the therapy is going. LOL Any other “conversation” could get your therapist in trouble in more ways than one. Just let us focus on you and your health concerns…and no, I am not paying attention to your weight as that’s not why you are here. Everyone needs loving, therapeutic massages.

In my private In/Out sessions, I have lumped deep tissue and Swedish massage together at the same price because I don’t “jip” my clients. You will know I’m there working with and for you. If you are a “Chatty Cathy”, you waste time getting relaxed and you distract your therapist who wants to commit entirely to relieving your tension, hence defeating the purpose for which you came in (or for which I came to you). If you needed a psychologist, you would have gone there and talked the whole time and they get paid to listen to you. We are not psychologists…although we love you and want to know you are doing awesome on your paths! The other problem with talking extensively during the massage is that the therapist often engages you out of respect and time flies. Then, he or she will feel the need to “rush” to finish the task at hand. While rushing and being distracted from their and your purpose, they might miss some spots, forget an arm or leg, and might leave you feeling incomplete; in which case, you will protest and/or report it and probably withhold your tips. However, it’s not all the therapists’ fault, as they now have all “your stories” and all your business swimming in their heads and that’s why you were unfinished. Please allow us to do that which you have contracted and will eventually pay us to do, which is to give you a therapeutic massage! We’ll do a better job, if you leave “Chatty Cathy” in the car. LOL

Affection:-I have often heard “I love you”, received or have given hugs, etc. outside the door when my client is leaving. That is awesome. I’m a loving Being and you will know it when I welcome you in, or when I arrive for your session at your venue. This is even more apparent when I massage you. Keep in mind that this kind of love is the Christian or Universal Agape love, NOT the “I want to sleep with you,” Eros, love. I understand this to be what you mean when you say it to me and my response is with the hope that you understand too. Touch is one of the most intimate ways of expressing love and you shouldn’t take the massage if you feel/sense that your therapist isn’t going to leave you feeling loved and nurtured in a “godly” way.

That is to say it is unethical to mix business with pleasure, especially in the massage business. I don’t ever want to sleep with any of my clients and I hope they can contain their excitement and not ask me out as long as they are my clients. On this note, I have had clients reach for my hand, leg, thigh, and/or gyrate on the table while I’m working on them. Usually, I ignore the gyration, but will simply move out of reach in the other instances. I ignore this, but it does register that you are um…not classy, and not taking the love from my hands in a professional manner and I probably won’t have you as a client again, if grabbing me is “your habit”. An impulsive “mistake” is fine, but most businesses will ask you to leave and make you pay for the services you started to receive, if the therapist was offended and discontinued working. In another blog post, I compared your massage session to receiving a lap dance wherein you can’t touch the dancer. We are not “dancing” on your lap, but you “get my drift.” Feel free to express yourself. Moan if that is what comes, make faces when I’m not looking, cry, laugh; whatever emotional release or expression is triggered, feel free, just don’t grab for me or any of your sexual parts that are obvious to me. Most of all BREATHE through the experience. Don’t be so afraid of receiving affection that you hold your breath the whole time, and don’t be so “scandalous” that you begin attempting to “share” with your therapist. It’s not that kind o’ show when you are in session with me, so let’s keep things dignified.

Your therapist knows that you are in a vulnerable position, naked with only a sheet separating you from a virtual stranger who is touching you. However, you came in for massage therapy, and that is what is required to accomplish this purpose, so relax. We are professionals here. Tell us if/when we do anything that makes you feel “uncomfortable”… including arousal, in the case of those who feel that the therapist deliberately touched something they shouldn’t have. Many times, your therapist’s hand may slip. After all, we are working with oils on your body. Accidents are possible when things are slippery. Also keep in mind your own frame of mind, personal issues, which your therapist doesn’t know about, and especially your parasympathetic brain and the involuntary responses.

We can and will fix a problem in the room, right away, and if it’s a “slippage”, even if neither of you acknowledge it verbally at the time, the therapist may have made a mental note to be careful and/or apologize. Sometimes you will know this by being alert to how they maneuver, say, around the other boob. LOL…Come on. If they accidentally touched a boob, you will be alert to whether it happens twice and on both, is all I’m sayin’. Don’t wait until after you leave the room to complain at checkout, or call in a day or week later and complain to management while requesting a “replacement service”. Tell us, the therapist, first and give us the opportunity to fix it right there and then and make you happy. We can’t fix it when you are gone from the room. If we don’t fix it on the scene when you mentioned it, then tell checkout, call the manager when you leave and go blog all about your treatment in the press. It is only fair to give the business an opportunity to address your concern, however, before you get pissed off and go do any of this, or black list us and not come back.

I am very concerned whether you are o.k. and feeling relaxed, so I need you to breathe, keep your hands to yourself, moan if you have to, i.e. the natural/involuntary response; but don’t start rubbing your special parts or any other attempt to relieve yourself, as that is “voluntary expression,” which is quite rude, unloving, and puts your therapist in a very uncomfortable position.

Tipping:-Rate your therapists’ delivery and professionalism just as you would a waiter, et al service people. Your gratuity percentage should be based on their performance as your tips go directly to the individual. In general, gratuity ranges from 10% to 25% on the original cost of services and based on how pleased you are with your therapist’s work. Sometimes clients are able to do more and sometimes they can only do less. Tipping manners and rules don’t mean that if you are broke, I won’t do the job. Your referrals could be your tips when you are broke and I am always grateful for more business, especially when referred. Your therapist has spent the last hour or more working hard on your muscles and aiding your overall health. We are usually under-paid for such hard work, especially when you have demanded deep tissue or some other physically challenging therapy. We don’t get paid to do the “heavy-duty” stuff, so your gratuities help to offset our income and attitude, especially if we delivered more than is required by the company.

In my practice, I usually don’t charge clients for using credit cards; however, it costs me at least $5.00 to process these. Your gratuities help to offset this, so if you don’t tip and I didn’t tell you about the extra charge for processing your credit card, then I have just had a $5.00 loss on your service before taxes. What is the value you have placed on your health and have this been magnified in the way I have handled you.

Couples Massages:-If you have a couples’ massage at the spa, this means more cleanup for the therapists. Please get dressed immediately afterwards and remember that your time is up and we need to get ready for the next clients coming in on the hour. Do your hugging and kissing or whatever else elsewhere, and fix your hair, etc., in the bathroom…hopefully, not together. Please, hold off on your “finishing” until you get home or some other place. The bathrooms are usually shared between clients and workers and we may need to go, before we have to get back to that 90-minute massage. I don’t know how many times I have waited and waited well into the time for my next client while a couple is still in the room after we have dismissed them. We usually only have 5-15 minutes between you and the next client and there is a lot to do in that time to be ready to give them the same professionalism we gave you. Don’t think we don’t wonder what you’re doing in there while we are waiting outside with your water/tea. It’s not curiosity, it is irritation or anxiety, since we won’t have enough time to clean up, use bathroom and go get the other client waiting in the lobby. If we attempt the bathroom run while you are still “sprucing,” you might be finished before we return, hence miss the important farewell and courtesy water/tea along with follow-up suggestions. So we wait, dancing in the hallway with a smile. Please be considerate of others, even at the spa.

Jewelry and makeup:-Please do not wear your jewelry to the spa, especially the expensive ones! Leave them in your safe at home or if you wear them, please remove them and put them safely in your purse, etc. I usually have a little bowl where your stuff should go, but it’s not my responsibility to look out for your diamonds! Also, since we have to work with oil, etc., and manipulate your limbs, etc., we get cut, or cut you or break your necklace, etc. or it’s just hard to work on that jeweled body part. Please save us and you the pain and remember to remove these. Also, we can’t help you put these back on after the service either. We have to maintain very short nails as we are in the massage business, hence we don’t have the nails to grasp your clasp and risk ripping our flesh, et al injuries, which jeopardize our health and work. Remember, also, that you will need to lie face down for your massage, hence limited to no makeup is best. If you are having a facial, save the Esthetician some work and time by not wearing makeup, which she will need to remove before doing what she does. This robs you both of valuable time.

Your nails:-Please cut your toe nails before your massages! Therapists run the risk of snagging, cutting, or scraping themselves on your nails! We shouldn’t massage you or anyone else while having open wounds; hence your toenails could become “weapons of mass destruction;” LOL… yes, destruction of the rest of our work day. Even if it’s just a hang nail or a snagged nail, we may forget to clean it up before the next client, then scratch them up with these and that’s never a good thing.

Hygiene:-Please take a shower prior to your massage and wash your feet especially. Remember that you are going to be in a vulnerable position, naked or almost naked, in a room with a virtual stranger. The more comfortable you are in your own body, the easier it will be for you to relax and a shower only helps things. Don’t go to the beach and get sand all over you and then decide to get a massage. We need to make special arrangements for body scrubs and you pay a different price. Oil and sand/dirt don’t feel good for the therapist or the client, so even if you are not “filthy,” please clean up before your service. I sometimes “ceremonially” wrap your feet with warm towels before and/or after service. This is what it is, a little energy movement; and/or I am lovingly bringing you to face the end/beginning of your session. It is not necessarily a washing of your feet.

Lastly, please pay your tab when you arrive, if you must leave quickly at the end, or immediately upon completing your sessions. It is not fair to have me or the staff at any establishment, chase you or invoice you for services you received. There are books to maintain and taxes to pay. We delivered your service at the time of request, so it is only fair that you pay before you leave. If you didn’t bring enough cash, please put the balance on a credit card, but no “I get you next time”. We can’t tell our landlord this or pay short when the rent is due. Please be conscientious and not take these “disrespectful liberties” with your therapist, whether at the spa or as a private client. Equally offensive is the IOU on the gratuities, etc. Just “man up” and pay for the hard work provided you and don’t expect to get anything for free. Some have even ignored the invoices, vowing to pay next time they come back, but haven’t yet scheduled an appointment. This is a very uncomfortable position to put your therapist and/or the business in, and it doesn’t bode well for you the client who will want optimum service every time.

Acknowledge when your therapist does a little extra for you and go beyond what is normal at the spa and/or in your private massage session. The best voice you can give this is through your gratuity. How you treat, pay and tip your therapists is relative to the exchange of energies and what you put into the universe. It also might determine whether you get that awesome therapist again on your next visit or not. I did not hold back from blessing you, so bless me in exchange and continue the circle of loving and respectful giving.

Muay Thai Kickboxing also known as just Muay Thai or Thai Kickboxing is known as one of the oldest and fiercest martial arts. It is certainly among the most brutal, known for it’s use of elbows and knees and full contact competitions. Whether you just want to pick up one of the best martial arts around or want to improve your striking abilities for MMA competition Muay Thai Kickboxing is definitely a great option.

One of the best ways to learn and develop your Muay Thai Kickboxing is by visiting and training in Thailand where it originated. There are many Muay Thai training camps that accept foreigners, both just for a few days while on vacation or for intense preparation for an upcoming fight. Whatever your reasons you will enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful surroundings and great parties. Choose from Thai kickboxing schools in holiday areas offering luxury all inclusive package deals or the real deal in the more remote training camps that are used almost exclusively by the Thai’s themselves.

The traditional local Muay Thai Kickboxing camps may surprise you by mainly being comprised of young children who are ingrained with fighting skills from a young age and may not accept women. Other newer schools will accept women and visitors of all ages. They often boast pools and saunas which you might at first thinks sounds kind of sissy for a Muay Thai training center, but after checking the workout routine you will know why they offer them!

Training here is pretty hardcore, so hopefully you aren’t afraid of losing a few teeth. Training packages start at 2 and a half hours and go up to 5-7 hours per day for those who are really serious! Muay Thai Kickboxing competitions are generally either won by first round knockout or are won by judges decision – usually based on conditioning not technique!. Hence work outs consist of a lot of cardio as well as weight training in addition to heavy bag work outs and sparring in the ring.

To give you an idea of what you are getting yourself into here a few rules of combat for the Phuket Muay Thai Camp & Gym:

“Fight now, hurt later”

“Don’t block with your face”

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”

“Winning is not everything, it’s the ONLY thing”

“The more you sweat in the ring, the less you bleed in a fight”

“Winners never quit and Quitters never win”

“Never start a fight. ALWAYS finish one.”

“Pain is temporary, glory is forever”

“We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training”

Simply put, weight cutting sucks. Count on me, I have not learned these weight cutting tips by simply finding them on the net. I’ve obtained these techniques through trial and error… which were not the most fun experiences I’ve gone through.

However, if you want to succeed in Muay Thai, MMA or any type of combat sport, chances are you will need to do it at during some point in your career. Listed here are the most effective weight cutting ideas I’ve gotten via my fight career:

My Best 15 Weight Cutting Technique.

# 1 – Prepare Emotionally.

Before you go through the stress of cutting weight you should get your thoughts right. It’s not going to be easy and will to be the most fun thing in the world. Obvious right?

You need to be ready to make sacrifices in order to make weight whether it’s for Muay Thai, MMA, boxing or wrestling. Be ready to go training sessions feeling worn down and be ready to have days where you feel like your stomach is eating itself. It’s the nature of the beast. If you thinking of going after a Muay Thai lifestyle, you much better get used to it!

# 2 – Set Weight Goals.

The most obvious objective is to get to whatever weight you are fighting at. Besides that there are still particular goals you should establish on your own in order to hold on yourself liable. I personally like to specify (and jot down) daily training objectives and nutrition objectives throughout my weight cut so in this manner I hold myself responsible.

For instance, one of the most prominent goals I find myself writing regularly is: Train hard today although you are only consuming 1,500 gram calories.

# 3 – Offer Yourself Enough Time To Cut.

This is where a lot of people make a substantial mistake. If you try to cut 20lbs in a week you will certainly hurt your body, stress out your mind and not be fresh going into the ring (or cage).

I personally provide myself a minimum of 3 weeks to diet and get down to a comfortable weight prior to I do start cutting water weight. It can easily vary however. I know men who begin making bigger cuts 6 weeks out and I have actually made comfortable cuts only 2 weeks out. It’s all based on exactly how your body processes the food and reacts to the diet.

# 4 – Write Out A Grocery List.

You can’t expect to consume a healthy and clean diet without doing the correct type of meals shopping. Compose a list of the meals you need for the weight cut (poultry, green spinach, dried out fruits, nuts and many more) and ensure you have at the very least a couple days worth, maybe even a weeks worth in your kitchen and refrigerator.

# 5 – Consume REAL Foods.

Throw out those gross Frozen Dinners. Hell, they should not even be a part of your eating habits! Try to eat natural, healthy, organic foods as long as feasible since it will make a distinction in how you train and how you feel. It can be pricey though. However if you have to purchase, the one type of food you shouldn’t make sacrifices on is one the meats!

# 6 – Plan Out Weekly Meal Plans.

Preparing out your dishes is going to make a big difference to whether you will really get to your target weight. If you don’t have a strategy you will deviate from your healthy and balanced eating habits more often than not. Create a weekly meal strategy and stay with it!

# 7 – Limit Calories.

Duh. Most days I consume about 5,000 gram calories when I’m not concerned about reducing my weight. When weight cutting times comes then my calories fall anywhere from 1,200-1,800 depending on the day and the types of training I do.

# 8 – Limit Carbs, Specifically In the evening.

Limit the carbs but do not take them out totally! Carbs are the main source of energy you need to exercise and without them you will feel like shit. That being stated you can’t be consuming as many noodles, grains and breads as you usually would, specifically at night. For breakfast and lunch time of course you can have a piece of bread or an apple, but when it comes to supper time, attempt not to consume any kind of carbs.

# 9 – Stay Disciplined and Do not Cheat!

You are disciplined in your Muay Thai so you bet your ass you can be disciplined with your weight cutting diet plan too. Stay persistent, focused and keep your end objective in mind.

# 10 – I Lied, You Are Able To Cheat Occasionally

OK, I guess you can easily cheat now and again, however do not go overboard! If your around your target weight and you feel like having a bigger dish than normal, then go on and have one. Do not make it a HUGE unhealthy meal and still ensure it’s portioned. Additionally try your best to have it before an exercise so by doing this you can easily still burn it off!

# 11 – Train Hard!

One of the most important weight cutting tips. Even though you do not have as much food in your body you still should stay focused and press yourself during training. Don’t be a wimp. This is where your mental strength and durability enters play.

# 12 – Test Drive The Weight Cut Diet plan.

Just like you practice throwing head kicks you have to practice your weight cutting diet too. When you don’t have a fight prepared it doesn’t mean you should be eating like crap and completely disregard what you put into your body. You must take a week or 2 (or more) to test drive a weight cutting plan to see how you feel, how much your weight drops and what sort of meals operate best for you.

#13 – Test Drive Cutting Your Water Weight.

You need to test drive cutting water weight too. I know it’s not enjoyable, but it’s a great deal much less enjoyable putting on a sweat suit after weighing in a couple pounds over and having to run on a treadmill to sweat it off while every one else is drinking and eating… it’s not a good feeling.

# 14 – Know How To Rehydrate After Weigh-Ins.

The hard part is done and now you need to resupply your body along with the liquids and nutrients it requires. Do not just go shoving meals down your mouth because your body won’t have the ability to process it. First thing you should do is drink tons of fluids (coconut water, pedialyte, smart water etc.) and then start chewing on little snacks for an hour or two. After your tummy processes the snacks, you can have a nice, filling supper. My favorite is typically a sweet potato, chicken, green spinach and some brown rice.

# 15 – Award Yourself!

The most essential weight cutting tip!

Win lose or draw you experienced hell to make weight and had the balls to step into the ring and fight a tough opponent. Do yourself a favor and give yourself a reward! Eat a massive steak, munch out at an all you can eat buffet, order some buffalo chicken wings… I usually monster a box of Oreos!