Hello Y’ALL.
Love is in the air? Can you smell it? Or maybe you’re smelling your stinky work out shirts?
Brings new meaning to the term ‘Love stinks’.
Anyways, here’s this month’s newsletter. 😛
TBI Discord – Join the Conversation
We have a discord group chat now. Join here:
https://discord.gg/N4TS23JznF
MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY / PICTURE DAY
Join us on Saturday, March 1st, at 11 a.m-1p.m. for Member Appreciation Day. There will be no training that day. Instead, we’ll have a group class picture and individual photos with the coaches.
A light lunch and beverages will be provided. Just bring yourself! Wear your favorite Muay Thai shorts and TBI gear.
FAQ Updates
It’s been brought to my attention as to some confusion over certain aspects of the gym so we updated the FAQ as well as our welcome email to answer these questions:
How do your memberships work?
All memberships are on a monthly basis unless you paid 6 months in advance. Just a reminder that all accounts on an autopay monthly recurring billing.
Definition of memberships:
Generally the way the gym operates for use is through “X” amount of days per week for use. “X” is not defined by the amount of classes per week but rather “Days”.
For example: If you have a Part-Time membership of ‘2X’ per week that means you can use the gym 2 times a week. Some people will take back to back classes, or train in the morning and then come back in the evening.
Classes DO NOT roll over, meaning if you do not use your allotted amount of time per week then you lose those days. For example: Because you missed a week due to travel or illness then you can’t come back the following week and make up for those classes.
How do I cancel my membership?
We totally get it! If for any reason you have to cancel or place your account on hold: We kindly request that you please email us.
Please don’t DM our Instagram, or ask one of the instructors or Coach Vic in person.
Sometimes when we are in the gym, it can be a little hectic and we will forget. E-mail is the best and easiest way for us to communicate for all records purposes. Thank you!
Do you have Women’s classes?
If you identify as a woman, then the Friday 5PM classes are available to you at no cost to your membership, meaning: Even if you have a ‘Part-Time’ membership you are allowed to take that class (and only that class) for free as a courtesy. Taking that class will not count as a day from your ‘X’ allotted. If you have any questions about that, please email us!
Do you have parking?
Don’t park at the post office anymore, it’s now a private lot.
Also, if you are double parking in the back, park as close to the fence as possible. Please don’t block our sweet, kind neighbor ‘Mr. Matthew’. He drives the white suburban.
Anyways, we have a pretty thorough FAQ and website as well that is always constantly updated. Peep full FAQ here:
Important TBI Policies
We also have one too, which basically says to keep your equipment and clothes clean, trim your nails and don’t be shirtless in the gym.
Inclusion Statement
Yea- We have one too. We’ve been having one foo.
We are a little gym with a big heart. We have a diverse and eclectic member body that spans across all ethnicities, occupations and sexual orientations. We are inclusive and empowering using the martial art of ‘Muay Thai Boxing’ as a vehicle to help each reach our goals and potentials.
We are serious about the sport but professional, light hearted and gentle with our approach, hence our motto: ‘The art of striking and the science of fitness’.
We are not a ‘fighting’ gym, but rather a learning institution. We have programs available for those wanting to compete and we compete frequently, but competing isn’t a requirement for joining the gym.
Sparring & Clinch Classes
After your first months you are more than welcomed to hop right in!
Some “Must Do’s”:
Please read our ‘The Definitive Sparring Guide: Sparring 101’ for sparring protocol and etiquette. This is also helpful and applicable to our Clinch Classes:
Speaking of Clinch, pleaasssee watch this video (Like, comment and subscribe):
Muay Thai 101: Introduction to Clinch Wrestling | WEST LA MUAY THAI
https://youtu.be/AUGMOVZ54f0?si=WTbYhrHGTVozQJkC
If you are joining the clinch class for your first time. Maybe watch it if you have an entry level or intermediate level of clinching anyways. It will help with learning the language such as the ever confusing ‘Overhook/Underhook’ pummeling and positioning. If that last sentence sounded completely foreign to you, then that’s a sign to go watch the clinch video.
Core Values: “GHAP”
As mentioned on last month’s newsletter:
TBI’s core values serve as guiding principles and are displayed at the gym near the water fountain. These values were created by the coaches to help us achieve our goals for the upcoming year but also to help us integrate new members to further create a cohesive environment so that no one ever feels left out or unseen.
“GHAP”: Gratitude, Humility, Abundance, Passion.
Gratitude represents an appreciation for the privilege of practicing Thai boxing within our community. Humility embodies spiritual modesty and respect for the worth of individuals, acknowledging our place in the larger order. Abundance reflects a positive growth mindset with a focus on teamwork and community contribution. Passion inspires all members to train and teach with purpose, high standards, and a strong work ethic.
A lot of our collaborative efforts of community building have come from a book called ‘Tribal Leadership’. It was a book that was constantly quoted in Phil Jackson’s autobiography (former Lakers head coach).
Tribal leadership defines large organizations into different stages of collaboration and harmony.
Stage 5 being the highest attainable but fleeting state to achieve in a group. Referred to as ‘Life is Great’.
There have been times where our gym has been in either ‘Stage 4’ (We’re Great’ or a stable partnership) or ‘Stage 3’ (I’m Great and You’re Not’ or personal domination).
It is my goal as a business owner, coach, and leader to keep our organization in a stage 4 group always moving towards and striving to be in stage 5. Hence why the title of our last staff meeting was ’What Makes Us the Best Muay Thai Gym on the Westside’.
I stand to argue that we are. All our instructors have competition experience of several degrees, we continue working towards being great coaches, always expanding our knowledge of the sport, how to coach and manage our classes. Aside from that, all our coaches are very educated, some with degrees from top universities with plenty of professional and life experience.
Lastly, we are all very kind, approachable people. We all care for TBI members and want nothing but the best for them.
How to help us move forward along these stages?
Us as the coaches, as a way of getting to know the members, whenever we see someone we don’t recognize, we go up to them and say hi, introduce ourselves and ask for their name and if they need any help with anything.
If you don’t know someone, say hi and maybe introduce yourself. Don’t be shy. 🙂
If you are saying bye to someone and that person is talking to another person, say bye to them too! Maybe introduce yourself to them.
For example:
Often times at the end of class i’ll be sitting on the ring or at my desk talking to someone (Person A)
Another person (person B) usually comes up to me to say bye.
I will then ask the ‘Person B’ if they know ‘Person A’?
‘Let me introduce you to ‘Person A’
This is how we build familiarity, rapport and community.
I wrote a bit about this stuff last year in January 2024’s newsletter. If are curious about it and want to take a look back, check it out:
MERCH RESTOCKED
We’ve restocked all TBI Tees, including the white “PANTERA” tee, at $25 each (+tax), though XXL sizes for the Pantera tee are sold out. Select pullover and zip hoodies are available at $50 each.
All shirts and hoodies our on online store by clicking the ’Shop’ link on our website or simply by going to TBImerch.com
Our new TBI shorts feature an old-school appliqué embroidery logo across aqua blue satin with silver metallic accents and iridescent trim. They are both beautiful and functional. Check them out online at:
https://the-thai-boxing-institute.gymdesk.com/product/tbi-shorts-v3/68283
UPCOMING EVENTS
TBI Goes to Delaware (March 16th)
Bryan Popejoy Comes to TBI (May 10th)
TBI Celebrates 13 Years (June 13th)
FEBRUARY CURRICULUM
2/3-2/8: Slipping Straight Punches
2/10-2/15: Ducking Under Hooks
2/17-2/22: Posting With the Lead Arm
2/24-3/1: Feinting the Push Kick