In our gym, and our martial art programs Muay Thai and BJJ, they emphasize students helping students. Ajarn Chai the man who brought Muay Thai to America emphasizes and wants the more advanced students to help the newer students. I love that about Muay Thai and this gym.
I have been finding myself more in a position where the newer students ask us questions. Maybe it is because they don’t want to bother the instructor when they are working with another individual. Maybe it is because they feel more comfortable asking what they may think is a “silly/stupid” question to one of their fellow students. Regardless of what they feel asking the more advanced students, and having them help is encouraged and requested by our instructors and at this gym.
When I tried to google up any information about the the culture of martial arts and students teaching others. There is not a lot of information out there. I know our gym is not the only one that practices this. So I am surprised that more was not written.
I changed my search for a more generic “students helping students” and there are many papers, and articles written on this. One that caught my eye was this posting of a topic for students who are studying to be professors in Stanfords Tomorrows-Professor eNewlsetter.
“Students helping each other learn mimics humans’ innate learning process, a process for which we are genetically and environmentally engineered. This is enough of an explanation, and a powerful one, to help your students understand why peer learning is suitable in the college classroom: their brains are built to learn via collaboration. “
Stanford https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/1106
So if our brains are built for learning via collaboration it makes sense that when students that are more advanced help their fellow students it helps them learn as well. I have often said that you have to regurgitate the information you learn, and spit it out in a way your student/fellow student can understand will solidify it for you. There are dozens upon dozens of books, blogs, papers, etc. written about the teaching process and how to better teach. If I continued down that rabbit hole, this blog post may not end.
Next I understand that Muay Thai in steeped in the beautiful history of Thailand and also its most practiced religion religion Buddhism. There are no laws that dictate what to practice beside that the King must be Buddhist. So I looked up the Buddhist thoughts on training each other. There is a plethora of knowledge out there on Buddhism and often it is hard to sift through. However, I found a piece of content that seems to correlate to my search.
With a determination to achieve the highest aim
For the benefit of all sentient beings
Which surpasses even the wish-fulfilling gem,
May I hold them dear at all times.These four lines are about cultivating a sense of holding dear all other sentient beings. The main point this verse emphasizes is to develop an attitude that enables you to regard other sentient beings as precious, much in the manner of precious jewels. The question could be raised, “Why do we need to cultivate the thought that other sentient beings are precious and valuable?”
Training the Mind from dalailama.com
https://www.dalailama.com/teachings/training-the-mind/training-the-mind-verse-1
I feel that the reason we want to help teach and hold other “sentient beings” as they put it, would be because other people bring us joy, happiness, and enrich our lives. So by helping others you are helping yourself.
Or this little bit from San Francisco State University… (note: there is a lot to read and unpack there if you want to learn more about buddhism.)
Buddha told his followers to help each other on the Way
http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
I am not Buddhist myself. So while this is a miniscule overview of Buddhist teachings that seem to correlate and have influenced Muay Thai as the art it is. I think that this may be the core to why we do what we do.
Whew that was… I was trying to trim it down, from the notes I had on my research. Anyway, why might it be good for the more advanced students to help the newer students? Here are some pointers that I have experienced myself:
- The advanced students have to figure out how to explain it to another student. Thus solidifying the concept/drill/skill for themselves.
- It helps the teacher/instructor. Allowing the student who has done this skill before to teach, helps the many newer students to get one on one help that they need.
- It creates a sense of family, camaraderie, and team among your students and each other.
- It forces the advanced student to slow down and focus on their own form.
- Helps advanced student in learning how to teach the skills themselves. Helps them become better teachers.
Monday 09/21/2020: 1 hour and 20 minutes, a 5k, a 25 minute Kettlebell workout, and a 10 minute core workout
Get out there and do the thing. Get out there and start off your week right.
5k run… not fast but steady state.
Kettlebell: I used a 25 lb kettlebell, use what you can handle safely. Each exercise is done for 45 seconds, with a 15 seconds rest between. 5 rounds all in a superset.
1) Goblet squats 5 x reps at 45 seconds
2) Kettlebell Swing 5 x reps at 45 seconds
3) Kettlebell reverse lounges hold in goblet hold 5 x reps at 45 seconds
4) RDL (Romanian Dead Lift) 5 x reps at 45 seconds
5) Kettlebell side lunges hold in goblet hold 5 x reps at 45 seconds
10 min core– with Dana Lynn Bailey core workout
Oh and bonus wasp nest sighting on my run.
Tuesday 09/22/2020: 1 hour and 20 minutes of Muay Thai Training
Our gym has a culture of the “older students” or “more advanced students” help the newer students. I love this and I live this. I feel like we are all family and anything I can help with just helps them and makes me better. We all take turns trying to explain, or help where we can. We have some new students and we were happy to help them with fundamental things that they can do at home to practice.
We ended up staying later to help two students who were asking questions and wanting to learn. Yay!
I got a new friend, from Kevin painted by him, and Courtney. Thank you. I love Himb! 
Also I wanted to put this picture in. Boob sweat happens. Girls don’t feel bad. It’s a part of your body and it’s going to sweat. Men have sweat everywhere and so do women.
Anyway I digress…
Training: jump rope and weighted jump rope warm up 10 minutes Jumping Jacks, push ups, and jump squats in between rounds for active recovery.
1) Jab, Cross, Lead Uppercut, Jab, Cross, Rear uppercut
2) held pads for H
3) Jab, Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross, Hook, Rear Kick
4) held pads for H
5) Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross, Uppercut, Cross, Shuffle back, Teep
6) held for H
7) Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross, Hook, Cross, Lead Kick
8 ) held for H
9) cover Rear lower body, Lead Uppercut, Cross, cover Lead lower body, Rear Uppercut, Hook, Cross, double kick
10) held pads for H
Such a fun class, thanks Khun Kru.
Thursday 09/24/2020: 1 hour and 10 min Muay Thai Training
It was a great day of training. I went in with a happy demeanor. I warmed up to music I like, and even though I had a hard tiring day, I had a great day of training.
I felt good and I felt tired. I focused on keeping the same rhythm and effort level throughout the night. If I focus on my being tired I will feel it more.
The training was similar to Tuesday with a couple things changed. I really like that the training was similar to Tuesday’s class. Because of this we can focus on getting the drill or skill down.
Thank you Khun Kru Krysta for a great class.
This is the training difference for today.
1) Jab, Cross, Lead Overhand, Jab, Cross, Rear Overhand
2) held pads for H
3) instead of Low/body block, it was- Rear High Elbow Cover, Lead Uppercut, Cross, Lead High Elbow Cover, Rear Uppercut, Hook, Cross
4) Held pads for H
I am always available for questions from my classmates. I was were they are now, I had, and still have so many questions. One things I mentioned to one of my classmates was one of the beautiful things about Muay Thai is that we will always be learning more about the art. Now matter how good we get.
We stayed on after class to help our class mates with some stance questions, pivoting, and the goal of effortless power. =) That is what we all strive for. But it is not so easy to get.
Thursday 09/26/2020: 2 hours of training Kali/staff, and Muay Thai
Alright it was a fun great day of training. As I am sitting here winding down. The incredible urge for a nap is tugging away at me. So let me get this down before I pass out. Great training, then feed me Pho for lunch, shower me and then my body is ready for a nap. Not unlike a baby, play, feed them, and clean them is the perfect recipe for nap time.
We got to do double stick Kali training. Squeeee! H and I have not been able to do properly train double stick for 6 months. You can see the mistakes I made cause of my rustiness, but we shook it off and chased each other down with running saints.
Muay Thai we worked distance and getting out. I used the Miester MMA gloves for the first time. And those are going to take a little bit to get used to. In the boxing glove I love them. Training with them outside of the boxing glove is very self correcting. You will fix your strikes or you will feel every mistake. They will keep you honest. But they also provide great wrist support.
Tha Khun Kru Krysta for two great classes.
Kali/Staff training:
1) Figure 8 drill with the staff
2) Running Saint with double stick
3) Umbrella Six double stick
4) Heaven Six double stick
Video of us shaking off the rust for double stick is posted up on my instgram Sharpcupcake. Look for Saturday 9/26/2020
Muay Thai Training: jump rope before, jumping jacks and pushups after each 3 min round.
1) Jab, Cross, Teep
2) held pads for H
3) Jab, Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross, Hook, Cross, shuffle out and Teep
4) held pads for H
5) Fake the Jab, Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross Hook, Cross, Lead Kick
6) held pads for H
7) Fake high, Fake low, Cross, Bob and Weave, Cross, Uppercut, Cross, Lead Kick
8 ) held pads for H
9) 20 Teep lead side, 20 Teep rear side
10) held pads for H
11) Body Block, Uppercut, Cross, Body Block, Uppercut, Hook, Cross, Double Kick
12) held pads for H
I love sharing what I love with our fellow students. When they are truly interested and ask questions. I love that look of dawning understanding. You can see it wash over their face. I love helping our fellow students. It makes me a better practitioner of this art.
Not every gym is going to be open to students helping other students in this way. I suggest looking for one that has this kind of culture. One where we are all treated like a family, and no question is a “bad” question. A gym who allows more advanced students to help. I personally thrive in this kind of environment.
I am lucky that we have one that I love and that is so close to where we live.
Thank you for reading. If you liked it hit the like button. If you want to leave a comment or question please feel free to. If you want to hear more about my adventures hit the subscribe button. Have a great week, and I will keep striving to reach my goals. I hope you all can too.
If you want to see videos I put up, #sharpcupcake is my instagram account I post them there.
Thinks with Spinks 