Hello everyone. Thank you for patiently waiting. I’ve had a lot going on in the background, which has made it hard to sit down to write. However, most of the bumps have been smoothed out. Posts should start flowing a little more regularly again, especially now that I’ve said that a few different times. Again, thank you for continuing to follow me on my journey. I hope you have liked my content up to this point. As always, if you like what you see, be sure to like and share. If you want to receive my newsletter directly in your inbox, be sure to subscribe. Now, on with the show!

I constantly brag on the folks over at XploreAsia, and for good reason. Part of their experience is immersing people into a culture. The more you immerse yourself, the easier it is to adapt and to thrive in new environments. Part of the experience in Thailand is connecting with the national martial art of Muay Thai. It is enthusiastically followed here in Thailand, and people from all over the world come here to train. You can find gyms all across the country that focus exclusively on this martial art to hone their own martial prowess and abilities. Other folks just use it for exercise and physical fitness. However, not taking a moment to recognize it’s significance in Thailand is to miss a big part of the culture.

One of the first aspects of Thai culture is that they treat everyone with respect. In Muay Thai, everyone pays homage to their teacher (kru). Before each fight, athletes perform the Wai Kru Ram Muay,

the ceremony that honors their teachers, the keepers of sacred knowledge. As such, teachers carry great respect in Thai society. This respect is deeper than mere lip service. When a learner approaches a teacher to learn something, they understand that they have a responsibility to learn well so they can carry the knowledge forward. When I stepped onto the training mat, my teachers commanded respect but also gave their pupils respect as

well. This back-and-forth is more of an intimate exchange than I imagined it would be. It wasn’t necessarily a dance, but it was clearly, from my physique, I am not a fighter, but going through the motions and focusing on the fundamentals of the art grounded me into my body in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time, and it was exhilarating. I could see why so many people come to Thailand to study this martial art. As a side note: my grandfather did some boxing during his time in

WWII. At this moment, I felt closer to my grandpa than I ever had, and I understood its appeal to him. However, this exercise wasn’t about fighting. It was about performing the fundamentals well.

It was about living up to my teacher’s high expectations and performing the fundamentals well. My teachers were patient yet firm, corrected my stance, encouraged progress, and reminded me that mastery of any skill takes time and dedication.

art isn’t instant. It’s earned. As a musician and a marching band nerd who was constantly going over all the fundamentals, I can appreciate all that is being taught here.

In Thailand, Muay Thai is more than just a martial art or the national sport; it is a part of the culture and intertwined with Thai spirituality and Buddhism. It is the physical essence of spirituality; it’s mindfulness, respect, patience, and inner strength rolled up into one. I see why the Thai people have the strength, resolve, and patience they do. When you’re connected to yourself, everyone else, and the world around you, your quality of life is better; life is easier. Until next time, please take care of yourself, look out for each other, and stay curious.