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Wai Kru

Masters

Muaythai Institute Thailand

History

The following passage taken from the cover story titled "Wai Kru" from Volume 1, number 3, 1998 World Muaythai Magazine.

The art of MUAYTHAI from past to present, it is a tradition that every fighter must perform the Wai Kru before every competition.

"Wai Kru" is performed as a mean of paying respect to the chair person of the competition or in the past as a way to pay homage to the King who would normally spectate in most every occassion. It also symbolizes the gratefulness of the fighter towards his mentor who had trained him and as a means of concentrating himself mentally for the competition.

If we further study the roots of the Thai culture we will discover that "the Wai Kru" is not just a way of paying respect to only our mentor but what the ritual is actually doing is paying homage to mentors before and long before him since the dawn of humanity. Hence, the Wai Kru is a way of worshipping past instructors and the way up to the holy spirits in heaven.

Muaythai Etiquette
To show respect always to the instructor and other students at all times and the MTI.
To “Wai” (or perform a Thai bow) at these times: *At the beginning of class.
*When greeted before warm-up starts (with a “hello”: “Sawadeekhrup” said by males and “Sawadeeka” said by females).
*When entering/leaving the gym and greeting the instructor.
*When receiving individual training advice during any training exercise.
*Both before and after training technique and/or sparring with others.
*Before and after training on the thai kick pads Wai to the instructor and/or individuals holding the training pads.
*When entering/leaving a sparring space such as a ring or ring like area.

No profanity, sarcasm, critical, or otherwise abusive language or behavior is acceptable.
It is not allowed in the ring nor is it allowed in the class.

Right Attitude Aims
* To learn and be respectful of the Wai Kru – pay respect to teacher and lineage of teachers – ceremony (Tested in Muaythai 1; 2)
*To focus on your own training and not get distracted with other students.
*To remain in the present always.
*To listen… Listen during instruction and do not talk or interrupt as interruptions or lack of attention disrupts the class and is also disrespectful.During breaks or before and after class it is only natural to visit and bond with others.
*To maintain a neutral mind while training.
That is, do not feel elated when landing strikes or depressed when struck.
*Be focused and indifferent at the same time as it neutralizes the ego.
*Never train with anger but instead with a clear mind, strong spirit, and joy.
*Do not set any negative limits but instead train with freedom.
*Breathe when striking or being struck.
*Learn to train with a heightened sense of awareness and detachment
*Students must perform the Wai Kru in class with other students.