Burn calories and learn to fight at OC Muay Thai, now located at Affliction HQ

The cage and ring at O.C. Muay Thai at Affliction HQ

I don't think I'll be able to use my legs without alot of whinning and complaining in a few hours.  My shoulders feel tight and I'm thirsty and hungry.  All because I took a Muay Thai kickboxing class with trainer David Jansson last night.  The class started out with what seemed like fifty-two rounds of jump rope.  OK maybe it was more like five rounds.  With each round at three minutes, I started to realize that this would be a grueling challenge.  During this two-hour group class, Jansson led us through hundreds of unending kicks and knees, balanced with the occasional pause in training to demonstrate the intricacies of a technique.

Muay Thai is a martial art that originated in Thailand.  It is their official sport.  Most people would agree that it is one of the most brutal fighting sports today.  Muay Thai is referred to as the "art of eight limbs" because of the eight striking points used.  They are the fists, elbows, feet and knees.

Many people that practice Muay Thai are not necessarily planning on entering the ring in competition. "You don't have to be a fighter to take my class.  But I do want to bring out the warrior spirit in you.  You can use a warrior spirit in everyday life" said David Jansson. "My training is not for everyone.  We train like they do in Thailand.  I'm not concerned with having hundreds of students or watering down the training to make more money.  I want to help people."

O.C. Muay Thai is now located at the Affliction Clothing headquarters in Seal Beach, California.  Jansson has been a kickboxing trainer for Affliction President Tom Atencio, who has had two professional MMA fights.  Tom Atencio was also responsible for bringing us the Affliction mixed martial arts shows.  All three of which headlined with legendary heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, but the last show, Affliction:Trilogy, had to be cancelled because of Fedor's opponent, Josh Barnett testing positive for steroids.

For more info on training at O.C. Muay Thai, visit their website.