Muay Quotes

Here are a few quotes for my own reference. Things to help me stay positive and keep learning in this crazy sport.

"...There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything." ~ HAGAKURE 1st Chapter

"We should never cease from exploration. And the end of all of our exploring will come when we arrive where we began. And we will know that place for the first time." 

"Self-actualizing people MUST be who they are".

Muay Positivity

:. seingla .:
:. I needed to clear out my email box but I wanted to remember all the lovely and encouraging things people had to say so I am posting a few here. Plus this is my new happy place..to come when I am down...

"We're proud of you girl...shit you fought more than me over there...what kind of service...I gotta do one last trip there...at least one more...maye in one year or two." Sweetie

"Congrats! That was such a great e-mail to read! WOW! I'm so proud of you!!! I can't wait to see the tape!!! you wrote it so nicely too! I wish I were there to see it... I look forward to hearing about your next fight! Jen, you are doing such an amazing job. I am truely proud and excited for you! Keep up the good work kiddo! Miss ya! ;)" Karebear

"Hey baby girl...I'm sooo happy for you and it's good to hear that you have been improving. Let me tell you that you had me on the ground when you won your fight and that one guy won his peice...good show but I wish I was there to see it. I hope that all your trainig is paying off and it sounds like it is.... yo tell your stories like a pro and I love reading it...keep up the great work and know that you'll always have your supporters." Queen

"Anyways I am sooooo PROUD of you babes. So proud. Can't wait for you to teach me some stuff." DJ

"I am also so happy that you went through with going to Thailand. It takes alot of courage to do what you did. Even if you aren't fighting as much as you would like, you know now that you can do anything. This has given you a chance to see that if you want something bad enough you can get it." T

"It's great to see you growing the way you are. I know you've heard this before, but you are wise beyond your years. The first place you start change is within yourself. The private victory. You begin with the end in mind. Then you make a promise to yourself and keep it! It sounds simple, but very few people will do it. I think what you're doing is wonderful. Don't worry that not everyone you care about will understand. Many of them never will." Jim McCarron

"Hey you.... holy shit... how fuckng exciting was that to read!:)... no matter what the outcome.. that fight sounds amazing... real, real muaythai... what an honour and a privilege to experience. Its sounds like you fought hard (as you always do) in a match where once again you were the underdog... and you came out strong. I am so very happy for you jen...congratulations." Sisis

"Well I'm glad you made it there safe and sound and your fight got me standing on my toes. They way you were telling the story, it was like I was watching you. Good show never-the-less, I give you props for going without pads and doing 5 rounds and more props for being such a good sport. YOU KICK ASS!!!!!" Queen

"holy shit... i actually heard this story at the gym before reading today... thats how fast word gets around. You are amazing!! Congratulations girl.... You are growing into an extraordinary fighter and soon they will be knocking on your door signing you up for events. You deserve it Jen, you have worked hard to get where you are." Sisis

"As for me it is still hard to imagine that jen is training and competing in muay thai in thailand( HOLY MAD COW?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?). That is the most explosive news that someone I know loves their martial truth so much that they went to the country of origin. Really you probobly heard this all before but from me it is not only amasing but a lesson on how I should view the arts that I train within. I can only imagine the training and the matches that you are involved in(Pain is having cramps, sore feet and headaches....is there really a name for what you experience in thailand?)" Dave E

"Just wanted to let you know that I am proud of your accomplishments in your training. (Your kicking ass still!!!) Try using leg combinations in your next machup, and start kicking some trees okay....lol ........Just wanted to let you know that even though you seem upset with me, im still supporting you 100 %. (Dont worry im forwarding the emails to Orlane as well) Hope you do very well in your next matchup. Good luck babes!" Ricky

"> Hey Stranger,

I'll tell you something. I am so proud of you. You're out there doing what very few people have the courage to do. Remember that when you're having a tough day. I know you do that already. Isn't it amazing how quickly you can process adversity when you have a bigger vision for your life? I'll bet you love the person you're becoming.

I believe everyone who achieves anything great passes through a valley to get where they want to be. The deepest part of any valley is always the halfway point. The ones who don't make it, turn back at that point - when things are the toughest. Imagine getting to the halfway point and turning back. "Self-actualizing people MUST be who they are." That
quote has gotten me through all the doubters and those that don't understand. Anyway, you're awesome!

I've been wanting to recommend some other books to you, but I wasn't sure how available they are over there. Anyway,I'll throw them out there and you can catch them when you can.
YOU HAVE TO READ THESE BOOKS!!

The Dream Giver - Bruce Wilkinson
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers"
Jim McCarron

Thailand Fight 3

:. seingla .:
:. The sauga continues, enjoy all...

It was your typical Wednesday afternoon in Thailand and I was on my motorbike all suited up and ready for training. See, because I was simply going to training (for my first time since saturday as i have been experiencing incredible tummy pains...no not that time of the month either) I didn't bring much just my bag gloves and my outfit. I arrive at the gym and I am preparing to run when I see Kru Burm there (odd cause he normally shows a little later) turns out Thon (not french for tuna) is fighting and apparently there will be many female fights so he told me (not asked) to come and see " fodda, technique you know Jen". I agree and hop in the "bus" after nearly 45 minutes of driving to Lamphang we stop for the standard thai snacks etc..you know dried and seasoned locusts, pigs intestines, random meat on a stick and song sam (nasty Thai whiskey). I..uggghh passed on the dinner and we were on our way once again. We arrive at Big C (Wallmart to you fine folks) and it turns out that the fights are in honour of...geeez...i can't remember her damn name...anyhoo she is turning 16 and she is a famous singer (in thailand of course and be thankful that stuff stays here) and a great thaiboxer with over 20 fights undefeated. So this is quite neat i have seen her fight live and she is in many muaythai magazines. Most of the Thai people walk by and whisper "nok muay" and "farang" and I hear little giggles....thank Gosh I am not fighting...or...am..I? I look over to my riiiiiiight and there is Kru with the promoter and pointing to me....wonderful....he comes over and starts to laugh..and says his famous line " Jen, you want to fodda fight tonight?" and breaks out in laughter...i laugh and say doubtedly "Kruuuu". I saunter off to washroom in giggles and upon my return I see my whole gym waving for me to hurry up. Kru yells " Jen, hurry now fight number 3 you fight number 5"....

Okay...it's on. I get my rub down, and I am shadowboxing...I am not feeling 100% into it but I am fully relaxed. I enter the ring (no mouthguard again...what is up with that..i can hear my mother..."all the money I put into those teeth!!!") We are both performing the wai kru..and my Monkon falls off? What kind of service? How much of an ass do I feel like now....ugghh just give me a sec to pick up my pride...and pretend that didn't happen...hahaha. This is a 5 round fight and she is much closer to my weight siting at a decent 53 kilo as i am 54-55 kilo. She is respectful (i love that) we touch gloves and round one begins...I pretty much block everything I can and retaliate miminally. I prepared to lose round one just to gain the knowledge of her. She kicks and again...these little thai girls have heafty kicks I tell you. She kicks often and i kick the suppoting leg or push kick the thigh. Second round begins the same, she kicks and i block i use my push kick quite a bit. We get into the clinch and I am uncomfortable, I think she is strong and instead of losing in the clinch i straight arm her until the ref stops it. I am not taking any chances here. I push kick and she grabs my foot and pushes until i fall, on the way down she lands a nice kick to my shoulder? (pssst!!! i think she was aiming for my head). Round 3, these 3 rounds I have been trying to use different techniques, inside leg kicks, hooks, etc...but as this round gets turned up a notch i can see playing won't get me a win as she throws a spinning back elbow and it lands (damn elbows i tell you). I throw a jab, she clinches and throws me to the ground (which gets you the most points). She is a tough and smart little bugger. I start to inside kicks more and follow with punches. I am still push kicking for dear life too. I go back to my corner and Norbert yells, "Jenypher...you are gonna lose, use your hands..." (to me it sounded like "use the force") I am reluctant, for me, I am fearful of looking like your typical farang and punching my way to a less than gratifying 'muaythai' victory...If I do it right I will use hands but brawling will take away from a win. I am doubtful but I do as my corner says. Fourth round...I push kick and bam! Right cross...I close in and throw jab cross, cross to the body (thanks ruthie!!! the greatest move!) She is scared of my hands but she wacks me one right back...almost stunned me. She tries to grapple and instead of kneeing i hook to the head. Round four, I come out hard and I am primarily using my hands and alternating with push kicks and low kicks...I land many many punches to her face and mid section and she is tired, she backs up and when she does I throw a low kick..and it hurts her...No KO but I won by unanimous decision. Not my proudest because I wanted to win using minimal hands, but everyone has something they are good at and for me its hands... until i develop my other weapons further. And yes there is a tape....but no pics...

I fight again on Sept 3 in 1 weeks time and this week its all knee and kick preparation. I would write more but these emails are getting progressively longer everytime I write.....lol..sorry....

I have learned sooo much already and I know what I have to work on. I have to thank you for all your support, Ajahn for giving me the chance and Kru Burm...he is ...great.

One more thing!!! Congratulations to my sister...who is now Mrs. Sylvan as she was married in the Dominican to Ken Sylvan..where does the time go..I love you T.

ok ok ok I am done...

Love you!!! All!!!

and i think kru has given me a nick... "Singla"..not the beer!! what does it mean Ajahn??? they laugh alot when they say it...:

Thailand Fight 2

muaytiger diciple
:. sorry to pummel you all with another long email so soon but this story has to be told.

we pack into the pick up truck (or "bus" as the Thai's call it) and we head off to butt(enter swear word here)Idaho for Chai, Poht, Sep and Spicy are to fight tonight. After a 2 hour journey, we arrive and I have some rice and chow down on ice cream (i love ice cream). I am hanging out watching, at times the half naked thai girls dance to horrible music, and at the fights..when Kru Burm comes up to me and says, "Jen you want to..fodda fight tonight? I am standing, facing him with my black fitted capris, my red La Sensa bra, and a brown T-shirt. I said Kru, I don't have a mouth guard, or shorts, or a sports bra and I am wearing a thong...(I am sure you all needed to know that). His reply, " Jennn, no problem fodda she not have many fight you know". I am pretty reluctant given the circumstances and then they push us in front of each other and now she is starring at me, measuring my height and weight...I am a bit heavier and maybe a half an inch taller. I am taller? Did you all read that? I have NEVER been taller! Ha! Spicy comes up and asks me again if I want to fight and my heart is beating a mile a minute, but man, no mouthguard..what is that all about? That's not even legal in Canada or Bangkok..I tell him to go find out if any one of the girls dancing has a sports bra cause these little guys will move all over the place if they aren't fastened down. No luck they can't find me anything and I won't fight in my bra and roots T-shirt..i mean..c'mon...Just then Indy (the angry american) says, " I've got a black tank top if you wanna try it", now I am undressing in front of like 200 people and his tank top was from 20 years ago and was longer than most dresses I wear. Communist leader says, "if you want I have some underwear in my bag..." So I say screw it, I'm fighting and Kru seems very very happy. So I suit up, now I am wearing the ghetto tank, Commy's underwear, I pull up some nice wet Siam No.1 shorts that Poht just fought in, and Commy starts hockey taping up my breats...better than nothing you know.

Pretty Boy graciously does my rub down with Commy and I am ready to go..sort of...I enter the ring and do my usual Wai Kru..and she does this crazy old school traditional Wai kru wear she shoots arrows, and takes my fruits and throws it to the crowd (not literally people...stay with me here!) She is trying to intimidate me and you know what...it's sort of working her being my first actual Thai girl. It's only 3 rounds Jen I think to myself, and you have gotten so much better than before. Ist round starts and it is a relaxed atmosphere..she throws a right kick and it hits my block pretty hard, and I am thinking, she can't be doing that anymore her kick is too hard and I still have an injured shin from my last fight nearly 2 months ago. So I start teeping (push kicking) everytime she does anything I teep..and it's working she hasn't passed one yet...I throw a few punches that don't land and so does she...we clinch a tad and that's the end of round one. I am tired but I feel ok my corner was excellent and I already knew what I needed and what to tell them to do for me, I felt good. Round 2, again I teep everytime she moves and now it is obvious that her corner has told her to get into the clinch. I suppose me having good hands and being a farang, they suspect i don't have good knees..so we clinch, and she is strong but I am kneeing alot and I feel most sinking into her obliques and I can hear her gasp. She lands a few good ones too and I throw her to the mat. We get up and i teep again and then step for a knee..but so does she and she hits me hard right on my sore shin, and I am feeling it..I cannot kick from the right anymore. We go back into the clinch and I am trying to land elbows (slight retribution for Petra the last girl who nearly cut me), however I am unsucessful she has tucked her head in quite well. In my corner, I realize I have won both rounds thus far and Kru tells me to go "Sa-peed, sa-peed!". I hear my corner and their tips and I am fully coherant. Final round, she doesn't waste anytime getting into the clinch, at times I push kick her away, but if it's clinch she wants, then clinch she will get..we knee and circle the ring, I am landing many more knees and I am about to get a KO, but she is tough..she keeps in it..Everytime I push her off I land a very strong cross to the face and I realize after hitting her 6 or 7 times that she is in it for the distance. When the bell rings, I have won and the crowd is dead silent. It would seem that they have all seen her fight before and they all bet on her to win...everyone but 1 guy lost thier money last night...and he followed me around for a few minutes saying "Really good, really good"...Hahaha...

It was a great experience and hopefully now it has opened the door for many more fights to come. I wish now that it was 5 rounds so I could have practised more techniques...

Sorry that was long..well they are always long so get used to them!!! I am a descriptive person...don't shelter me! Thanks for all the emails and support, makes me feel less alone here. And reading english is great...lol

One more note...Good luck Yiola with Lola...lol..that sounds funny, and I am sure you will do well. Thank you Pretty boy for all your help and support last night and the last month. I miss everyone..and I will keep you posted...

P.S Hi ajahn!!! I miss you .:

Thailand Fight 1

:. seingla .:
:. Sawadeekha,

Here I am...sending you my results...lol Well, I lost ..actually by TKO in the 3rd round...so here's the story:

I did not fight a Thai as I was told...at the last minute I was told I was fighting a foreigner...a girl from Finland...wonderful..i am thinking.Canada all over again...I was also told in advance that she is a wee bit taller than me so for a few days in advance I am trying to strategize about fighting a taller person (nothing out of the ordinary as i am a midget)...I arrive at Chaweng Stadium and begin to get the wraps on, I am nervous because, I have never fought with no protaction before nor knees to the head, nor elbows..plus i haven't fought since Nov of last year...ok so I was terrified..haha...I try to get into the zone and about 2 mins before Nuong the promoter, tells me that it has to be 5 rounds they don't allow 3 rounds..now..he has lived in Samui for a while now and promoted many female and male fights...did he not know this before? Yea that's what I though...but i figured oh well just do it...she comes to the back to get ready and ..people...I am David and she is Goliath...not like I am not used to this sort of thing but she was even bigger than Rebecca my last opponent...anyhoo...I take my seat beside her and because most of the fights were ending in knockouts my turn came quickly.

We go to the ring and enter underneath the ropes...I know, I know it's the Thai way but i still hated it and felt embarassed...I perform my Rum muay and she doesn't...kinda surprised me as she was trained by Thai's but again...meh! First round starts and she kicks I block and she is south paw..could this get any worse? haha We slowly exchange leg kicks..most of which incorporated me kicking her block...now the other seniors have told me..adrenaline takes you through it without pain...BULL!!! I felt every blow from the first to the last..I was like.."what the hell was that...ouch!" She kicked harder than any other opponent I have had..probably due to the lack of shin pads..but I still enjoyed it alot...ok back to the rounds,...sorry getting off topic here. She kicks to my body and I catch.try once to kick out her leg...doesn't work..try again..and she falls to the mat. End of the first..and a good round for me... 2nd round she comes a bit harder and I just focus on kicking her leg. Cippy had told me not to try and fight a distance fight so I am trying left hook followed by low kick but her corner has now told her to push kick..and she push kicks well..the odd time knocking the wind out of me...She is trying to knee but I tuck myself under arms and knee her thighs..still a good round for both of us...3rd round..now I am exhausted and when I think about what I am doing in the ring, my mind says you still have 2 rounds...and I know I have no more energy in my reserves...my weapons weren't hurting her anymore..and as that is being said she walks in and elbows me clean in my forehead right above my left eye...I thought I was cut, but nope...just a big bump! I had dropped my hands (bad girl!!!) Now I realize the true importance of keeping your hands up..because I was too short for her to knock me out by a punch she couldn't hit my jaw..but that elbow hurt..and I am now shocked...she sees this and follows up with a straight punch and a high kick..all which landed..now she is trying to knee me..and I am holding her tight to avoid elbows and pushing her into the ropes...still trying to knee her thigh...after a few more elbows and an attempt to knee me to the head...the ref calls the fight off..and I angrily walk to the corner...I was too tired to continue and I wasn't fighting back enough. I know she was much heavier and taller, but nevertheless I am disappointed...I didn't follow my corners orders...I had strength and speed over her, and I didn't use it..but...I am still content with my technique displayed and the fact that I evaded many of her tactics that she tried so desperately to use...I didn't make it easy for her...but in the end a loss is a loss...

She was a great opponent, she fought Muaythai and respected me 100%...I couldn't have asked for anything more from her... I like elbows tho..and wow what a diferent fight it is..here in Thailand...I fight again on the 16th in Chiang Mai and Ajahn will be in my corner which will make a difference...I will start training again as soon as I can walk..no major injuries just random bruises and sore muscles...

Well that's it! Sorry it couldn't be more exciting...I now know running is the most important thing ever, and I know how much harder I have to train if I am gonna start to win these fights...it was never a strategy thing...always a confidence/cardio thing. Not to worry..I thank God Cippy and Commy were in my corner and that Ajahn has taught me great technique...without that I'd have been mauled...more than I was..lol I have a vidoe you can all see when I get home...I am excited to train and fight again...and next time..I'll be the one using elbows!!! lol

Anyhoo..I'll cut this short I am hanging out for the time being...and...just.relaxing...I will talk to you all real soon!!!!

Love you guys!! .:

Muay wisdom

:. is this hard to read? and do i care? ok then, this page was merely set up for my own person record of my time in Thailand, thoughts, feelings, my fwds sent out and my own wisdoms that i receive from those i revere .:

muay wisdom (in regards to some advice i asked for)

question - i was tryna do the left hook low kick or any low kick but thai women, the minute they see you move the kick...so how can implement something without getting caught with thier kick?

answer - I hear you... the one of the best ways I use to fight thai's is not head on, try to come form angles, or the side, so when you wanna use your hands use lots of footwork and come from the sides....Fake a bit too, and practice making them believable - clifton brown

question - I am a new muaythai fighter from Canada and I have had 7 fights now..3 in Thailand. I just fought a few days ago and the first 3 rounds the Thai girl and I were close but had it had been a 3 rounder they would have given it to her..so my corner says to use my hands because they are strong..so I do and I win. Don't get me wrong I didn't go in and pummel her, I was strategic and mixed in low kicks, but I am still unsatisfied that I had to use my hands as muaythai for me is less hands...does anyone agree? I dunno...maybe i am overreacting...thanks

answer - I believe that there is no set way and it should be what ever works. If that is hands then so be it. I have seen people flick out there arms and legs and defeat someone who has used their brain to land less but more damaging shots. Brain power uses energy like in setting up shots as mentioned above.Sometimes your hands will work, sometimes your legs, etc....

answer 2 - I agree, you need to use good tech and combo that include legs and hands, but people seem to think that throwing seven thousand sloppy punches and landing two of them should win you the fight. Realize thai boxing is not the same as boxing and should not be looked at the same way. Your hands should be used to set up your kicks and vice versa. I have seen fights were not one kick had been thrown and yet they still called it thaiboxing. I believe the kicks are more effective.