06 January 2010

By Singha-siddh S.

Kru Jak encourages us to think and introspect or examine the precious knowledge that were taught to us. As the studio's tagline says, our system is based on "where science meets tradition...” He used to explain to me how a relationship between a teacher and student is like. He likes to give me the classical example of how a cake is made; the mold or 'cup' is what one's teacher is like and the cake is the result of the mold (a student is molded by his/her teacher the way he or she is trained). A freshly baked cake is often 'soft' and may not bear much obvious resemblance to its mold but if left for a long time, it hardens and takes more resemblance to its mold.

In the past, local community used to gather in groups for protection and discuss among their family in times of need, to share knowledge and experiences. In order to survive, strict adherence to certain codes and beliefs, usually as lessons learnt from past mistakes which may have caused danger and loss of life were said to be followed almost religiously.

Perhaps this was also how Martial Art training first begun. Society in the past had kept such knowledge as family secret and passed on from one generation after another (orally or in written), usually protected even if it means that one’s life is sacrificed to guard this treasure (which is something that may or may not be tangible). With this, family values, ethics and code of honour were an integral part of the community.

At our studio, we maintain this principle of enshrining family values in our tradition. Tradition is where culture and spirit of the art's philosophy lives on. It is not simply about the techniques alone. In fact, this part of training isn't something that can simply be learned from books. We don't change what was taught to us as what was taught by the masters of the bygone days. What makes it seem to appear different is due to the different kinds of approach different instructors take in conducting the class (individual styles and personal understanding within their own capacity). This works both ways. Students who receive instruction of certain drills by their respective instructors should always strive to comprehend what is being taught to them instead of blindly following what was being instructed. This is where the 'science' comes in.

"Never give up!"



สิงหสิทธิ์ ศรียะพันธ์
Singha-siddh Sriyapant @ H.M. Khen
Web Manager,
WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM


Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 by WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM

12 December 2009

Dear members,

Latest update on training/ class schedule

PJ Studio:

We have started our new 6.45pm class from Monday to Friday ---you may now come earlier as you wish, train for two sessions if you like (Unlimited Entry).

BladeTech classes will commence from Mondays and Wednesdays 9pm onwards.

Thank you and best regards,


Kru/Guru Jak Othman

Posted on Saturday, December 12, 2009 by WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM

11 November 2009

By Singha-siddh S.

Regardless of whether you train in a traditional school of martial arts or in an ultra modern urban gym, group or individual, your coach plays an important role in shaping the way you train.

Think of them as your best friend at gym while you’re working out. A good coach will always remind you about your weaknesses and areas where you should improve on. He or she is usually a patient person who will stand by with you throughout your time of learning from the basics to the fundamentals. A hopeless coach is one who will set his mind on his money and personal agenda above anything else.

A coach should be someone who is able to address your strength and weaknesses, be a kind of refuge while dealing with your fears and anxiety in achieving your goals. In other words, they should be someone you can look up to, not because of their position, but by the merit that they have earned. A coach is one who can be trustworthy and compassionate.

As a trainee, one should also develop patience with their coaches and the training they are going through. Expectations and preconceived ideas should be set aside while in class. A good coach may not necessarily be a good fighter. Likewise, a good fighter might not necessarily make an excellent coach.



สิงหสิทธิ์ ศรียะพันธ์
Singha-siddh Sriyapant @ H.M. Khen
Web Manager,
WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM


Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM

03 November 2009

By Singha-siddh S.

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood martial art in Malaysia itself is the art of Tomoi, or also known to some as Siamese Boxing, or Thai Boxing. Some would associate it with Muay Thai while others have associated it to silat. With the influence of the Malay dominated culture an
d tradition, this southern form of fighting art includes its very own unique weaponry system which can only be found in local schools which incorporates techniques derived from the bladed weapons.

It is also inaccurate to say that Tomoi is a ‘Malay’ heritage as this art actually evolved as the result of wars between the southern provinces of Thailand and neighboring states, such as the Burmese and Khmer. A hybrid of techniques has been developed over the years to become one of the region’s most feared fighting arts which have given rise to some of the well known fighting systems such as Muay Chaiya in Thailand.

The modern day Malay language is relatively 'new' (about 1,000 years old) and only been officially codified or made into a common, unified system after the mid 19th century. Like in most other countries, different region has its own unique blend of dialect and accents. In the northern region of Malaysia, there exists a more localized dialect of the Thai language closely associated to the old Siamese influence.

Tomoi is an adapted word in the Malay language. A lot of words in Malay are derived from/ borrowed from other languages. Tomoi, in its true sense derived from the Thai language
ต่อยมวย (Dtoi Muay). 'Dtoi' (ต่อย) generally translates into a general term for 'boxing', fight, and sting or to engage in a fistfight. 'Muay' (มวย) on the other hand, is like how the Chinese describes 'Kung Fu'. It is also a very broad term and can involve a variety or art and style. Thus, the locals might have adopted the word 'Tomoi' as a descriptive term for any art that have a Thai origin (in particular, what might be most common and obvious today would be Muay Thai) owing to its close association with the southern Thais.



สิงหสิทธิ์ ศรียะพันธ์
Singha-siddh Sriyapant @ H.M. Khen
Web Manager,
WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM



Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by WWW.JAKICKBOXING.COM