can anyone tell me what's the difference between Burmese Boxing and Muay Thai?
I'm not sure but I think it is just like Muay Thai
"This hard, offensive style of martial arts is the opposite of the Burmese style of self-defense called Bando. It is also known as Lethwei. Burmese boxing is similar to Thai boxing. Most Burmese boxers are farmers. The Shan dance, called the fight dance, which is still seen today, is really a method of training for actual combat. Burmese boxers train alone or with a partner, but there is no equipment like heavy bags. Practitioners are divided into four groups: youth, novice, intermediate and professional, but there are no weight classifications. Promotion from one category to the next occurs as a result of contest wins. A contest consists of four untimed rounds. A blow that delivers a visible shock or an effective grappling technique will end a round, except for the last round, which goes on until one participant is bloodied, gives up, or is knocked out. Blood must result from a head wound, so most attacks are aimed high."
definition according to http://www.usadojo.com/aboutburmeseboxing.htm
From the little I did, I'd say it's pretty similar.
Less of an emphasis on the clinch, some differences
in how they throw the round kick. I know they teach
you to pull your toes up when blocking a low kick.
Don't know if that's done in MT, I've seen some guys
do it with the toes kinda pointed.
For more info you can check the website thaing.net also Paladin press has a video and a book on the subject, paladin-press.com
I took a semester in BANDO in MD. Seem similiar...had a form to remember though. Striking were more palm strikes and forearm type strikes and headbutts. Add on the muy thai type roundhouse kicks.
size of the fighters is a differnece too. the Burmese are bigger people than the Thais and that size difference is seen in the way that they fight
anyone know of any Burmese Boxing Trainers in the midwest, namely Kansas City.
Jeff Ford
www.combatsportskc.com
www.thaing.net
The teacher Phil Dunlap had two threads afew days ago to show people some vid clips of Burmese boxing. No sound but it was awesome to watch. Different intensity to MT.
ABA, which is what is mainly taught in the US, has the weight further forward and relies on the hands more than MT. I'd also say the techniques (again, ABA) are a little less refined. For example, instead of a switch kick, a Bando guy would just take a step and kick.
If you watch the Bando Nationals fights (which have been watered-down over the years through rules changes: outlawing headbutts, knees, and elbows), you'll see primarily boxing with round kicks (and occasional push kick). That is also a function of the shin pads, and varies by the gym, of course, but I think it is a safe generalization.
I've only seen Phil Dunlap's grappling, but I'd like to see his standup to compare the Kachin to ABA (hint, hint-time for free seminar).
Jason
The ABA all stems from Dr. Gyi, whose father played a pivotal role in saving Bando earlier last century. People may question alot of things about Gyi, but it is rarely about his martial arts.
In general, the things said above about Bando are true. It tends to emphasize the hand strikes more than kicks, and makes use of headbutts, elbows, & knees. I would also add that, in general, kicks are not as frequently thrown to the head as in Thai Boxing.
The majority of Bando taught in the US is from Dr. Gyi's lineage, i.e. ABA Bando. It is my experience that kickboxing is always an integral part of any ABA Bando school, although some schools tend to emphasize the Thaing or self defense aspect more than others (which entails forms as well as the more traditional aspects of self defense practice e.g., escaping from a headlock, wrist grabs, etc), and Banshay weapons training.
IMHO, it is a great art with a lot to learn, however you should check out the school to make certain they focus on the aspect that is of most interest to you.
-Hoffa