Muay Thai or ‘The Art of the Nine Limbs’ has gained much popularity around the world, has spread like wildfire during the 80s and 90s, and is even likely to feature in the 2024 Olympics. The sport has evolved from Muay Boran – the ancient fighting system of the Thai people, used in battle during unarmed combat and also in combination with weapons.

While it sounds and is extremely lethal, as a sport it is practised with a certain number of rules to protect the fighters – starting with head-butting being expressly forbidden. Be that as it may, Muay Thai is still king of the ring when it comes to full contact fighting sports.

Whether you’re looking for a good workout, the perfect stress-buster or to enhance your self-discipline, there’s nothing like a session of Muay Thai to help you unlock your best self.

Through this series of blog posts, you’ll be learning from Kru Hemanth Kumar, a 3-time bronze winner in the world championships, who has spent the past three decades teaching and transforming laymen into skilled fighters. He has traversed the length and breadth of Thailand, training under world-renowned teachers including the revered Master Borromakkru Deycha, and has mastered multiple styles of Muay Thai over the years.

Now to get you started, one of the first and foremost lessons in ‘The Art of the Nine Limbs’ is how you stand and face your opponent. And here’s what Kru Hemanth has to say about it.

The Muay Thai Fighting Stance

Think of it like how you learnt to walk. It comes quite naturally to you but subtle things like the distance between your feet help distribute your weight and bring balance.

While there may be various styles of the sport, there’s only one fighting stance practised universally. It helps defend your centre line and pressure points while helping you deliver lethal attacks. The good part is that it’s pretty easy to pick up if you follow just three simple rules or positions.

Leg Position

Begin by keeping your feet shoulder-width apart. If you are a right-handed person, place your left foot forward by one step, lead foot facing front, or vice versa. Your rear foot will be in a 45-degree angle unlike the lead foot. Take care to maintain shoulder width distance between the front leg heel and the rear leg heel. One other thing to note is to stay alert and on the balls of your feet, always ready and focused on the fight.

Upper Body Position

This is easy once you get your legs in position. Your upper body will naturally settle into the 45-degree angle as well. Ensure your head is facing forward, your eyes on your opponent at all times, observing him – his eyes, shoulder and feet.

On-Guard Position

Keeping the shoulder wide, clench your fist and fold your lower arm, aligning the fist with your jawline. Turn your fist to resemble a hammer and your boxing guard is ready. Ensure there’s no space between your jawline and fist, for better protection. You’ve now equipped yourself with stability, preparedness to defend, and the power to attack.

Perfecting Your Stance

Don’t you agree the fighting stance is crucial to Muay Thai? Keep practising and in no time, it should come as naturally to you as walking. Read our next blog post to know more about how you can get your basic footwork in place.