November Newsletter

HOLA.

T’is the season! Darker sooner, a little colder, and Halloween is over. We are officially at the tail end of the year.

Thank you to everyone that made this year so exemplary. I read somewhere that November is the month of ‘Gratitude,’ and it’s an attitude I try to maintain year-round, especially as I reflect on the last 10 months.

Gratitude is also a reminder of how much love and care is abundant at the gym, the humility expressed by each other in our willingness to help, and the passion to drive our community forward.

In other words: ‘GHAP’! (Our Core Values)

Lastly, thank you all for the birthday wishes. I am grateful to have an able body to keep practicing and teaching this sport, grateful for all the love and support, and grateful to be present to enjoy every moment to the fullest.

See you on the mats!


New Coaches

Ay yo! Let us welcome Coach Robbie and Coach Jordan to the team!

  • Coach Robbie: Teaches ‘All-Levels’ and ‘Intro/Beginners’ Monday and Wednesday.
  • Coach Jordan: Takes over Coach Greego’s Thursday 7 PM ‘Beginners’ class.

Thank you to all the coaches who managed the schedule in Coach Nate’s absence and helped train the new coaches!


Holiday Schedule

We will be closed Wednesday, November 27th through Saturday, November 30th for Thanksgiving.

Regular class schedule resumes Monday, December 2nd.

Women’s Muay Thai Cancellation Dates:

  • Due to our participation in this year’s Fall USMTO Arizona Tournament, there will be no ‘Women’s Muay Thai’ class on Friday, November 22nd.

Let’s give a hand to our athletes competing this year: Andy, Eoin, and Coach Erin. Wish them all the best!


Schedule Change

One of the biggest responses to our summer survey was adding ‘All Levels’ classes to our 7 PM time slots. It was a concern last year as well, but we couldn’t get the staffing right for it. This year, it’s finally changing! I appreciate your patience.

Starting Monday, November 4th:

  • Monday and Wednesday 6 PM classes will have:
    • ‘Advanced Muay Thai’ on one side of the mat.
    • ‘Intro/Beginners Muay Thai’ on the other side.

We’ll try this for a couple of months, but it might change depending on crowding issues.

  • 7 PM Competition class will remain, but the other side of the mat will now be ‘All Levels’ Muay Thai.

Common FAQ’s about these schedule changes:

  • Can I join Advanced?
    • Advanced Class Criteria:
      • Minimum 6 months of consistent Muay Thai training.
      • A ‘beginner’ understanding of clinching (Pummel and Balance Breaking).
  • Can I join All Levels?
    • All Levels technically includes beginners. The learning curve is higher than Intro/Beginner classes, but it doesn’t hurt to try! We suggest taking one month of Beginner classes first to get comfortable with pad holding.

Feel free to talk to me if you have any concerns about where you think you belong or the schedule changes.


Merch Restocked + New Color Way

  • All T-shirt merch designs have been restocked in all sizes!
  • A limited ‘Minimalist’ color way released: white shirt with red ink.

Check it out: https://the-thai-boxing-institute.gymdesk.com/product/white-and-red-tbi-%27minimal%27-tee/63374

We also have pullovers hoodies AND zip hoodies available at $50 each!

Visit our online store by clicking the ‘Shop’ link on our website or go to TBImerch.com.


Eat Sleep Teep Semi Contact

Had a great time last Sunday taking Alexis and one of our kid program graduates, Alina, to the semi-contact event hosted by Pu’u Muay Thai.

  • Alexis had two matchups, and Alina had one. Both showed great technique and composure

The event was well-organized, on time, with great matchups and a respectful vibe overall. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers!


SAT Award

A few weeks back, the Sports Authority of Thailand (Thailand’s national sports governing body) awarded the gym a ‘Professional Muay Thai Gym Certification’.

Though I was away on a personal trip and missed it, I knew our coaches and community were more than capable of managing the tour of the gym and classes.

Thank you to Coach Erin, Coach Greego, and Assistant Coach Icee for being there to help the SAT and conduct our teen classes.

Special thanks to Sonny and Max for accepting our award at the ‘Amazing Muay Thai Festival.’

It’s an honor to be recognized as a place to learn Traditional Muay Thai in West Los Angeles.


10 Things I’ve Learned in 20 Years of Doing Thai Boxing

Check out the new YouTube video: ‘A Guide to Navigating the Muay Thai World’.

Learn what it’s like (and what it was like) to be a ‘lifetime’ martial artist. Take a speed run through 20 years of experience and avoid the mistakes I’ve made along the way.

Thank you for watching!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riq1dtnhdWM&t=1s


I Sparred 18 Rounds to Celebrate 20 Years of Doing Muay Thai (It Was Supposed to Be 21 Rounds)

It’s an honor to have such talented members help me celebrate and motivate me to become a better coach, martial artist, and human being.

Thank you to all TBI members for making this evening special.

Special thanks to Mark F. and Erika for the footage and Tim K. for editing.

Fun fact: we thought we did 21 rounds but miscounted and ended up doing 18 rounds—whoops! And yes, it was very, very hard!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uqPBIB6nsw&t=3s


Upcoming Events


Cubbies

The purge has begun!

  • Write your name on your cubby this week.
  • Check the Lost and Found (labeled cubby) if you’re missing items.
  • Want a cubby? You must have an ongoing membership. Talk to me if interested.
  • Max 2 cubbies per member.

November Curriculum

  • 11/4 – 11/9: Push kick defense
  • 11/11 – 11/16: Fight camp
  • 11/18 – 11/23: Low kick defense
  • 11/25 – 11/29: Freestyle