AboutDwight Woods Expertise I can answer questions relating to training and teaching methods for different kickboxing arts.
Experience I am an instructor of Muay Thai, the Thai national art. I am also an instructor of Boxe Francaise-Savate, the French martial art. I am also an instructor of Jun Fan Gung Fu/Kickboxing, the personal art of the late Bruce Lee.
Organizations Thai Boxing Association of the uSA Boxe Francaise-Savate Federation of the uSA Inosanto International Martial Art Instructors Association
Expert: Dwight Woods Date: 8/31/2007 Subject: Muay Thai Training
Question QUESTION: I have tried a couple of places in Seattle and they all seem to be loosely structured. More of an, instructor does something and then you copy, and you are not corrected when doing it wrong and so forth. Are all places like this? Also, where could I train in the Seattle area with serious people, and not kids running around and so forth. I want to be able to really move up a ladder so to speak. Be able to track my progress. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
ANSWER: Phillip,
Unfortunately a lot of so-called Muay Thai places are springing up now and EVERYONE is a Muay Thai instructor.
What are the names of the places where you trained?
I don't want to recommend somewhere where you may have experienced before.
Regards,
Dwight
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have tried MKG Seattle and did not care for the facility and structure. I also tried a place in Capitol Hill a few years back and cannot remember the name. What about Ring Sports United in Bellevue? Anything will help. thanks again!
Answer Phillip,
See if you can find an instructor named Chris Clarke at Northwest JKD/Kali, 34310 9th Ave. South, Suite #102, Federal Way, WA 98003 253.838.1414 or nwkali@hotmail.com.
I'm surprised you didn't enjoy MKG Seattle as it's supposed to be premier. What went wrong if you don't mind my asking?
I hadn't heard of Ring Sports United but they look like a typical MMA gym, which are now a dime a dozen.
I'm by no means implying that they're not a superb outfit, I'm just wary of everyone who's an MMA expert nowadays.
If you're looking for authentic Muay Thai, then focus on finding a Muay Thai teacher not just any kickboxing instructor who happens to wear a pair of Gangkeng Muay.
Best of luck to you.
Regards,
Dwight Woods
PS Again I repeat just because I don't personally know a gym doesn't mean it's not a great place, okay?
