KHAN 9 THE ARTS OF WAI KHRU

Stance for a fight (called “Jode” in Thai) can be done in both left-handed and right-handed positions. The left-handed address requires the right arm to be positioned in front and left arm in the back. The positions would be in reverse for the right-handed address. The standing posture is of a typical Muay Thai posture, with footing set firm on the ground, preparing, if need to, for a front push kick. Occasionally,

the back leg is used as a pivot to maintain the body balance while kicking. In the Muay Thai preparation stance, the back foot is placed almost squared to the direction of opponent’s move, and in a slight outward angle to the front foot. This is in contrast to the international boxing stance where the toes of the front and back legs are positioned almost pointing forward.

He would then perform “Kom Krap ” by bending over three times – each time opening the hands with palms down touching the ground and the forehead in between – as a way of showing respect to the Masters, parents, and all sacred beings to protect him during the fight. Next, he would lean forward with both arms fully stretched to the front until the tips of the fingers touch the ground, then gently retract the arms in an action of scooping soil to the chest, getting ready for the third movement of “Tawai Bangkom”.

This action requires arms to be fully stretching forward, hands pressing together, and then lift up to touch the forehead with the thumbs between the eyebrows, bending the elbows as the body lean slightly backwards and the head looking up. Then lower the hands to the chest, and repeat two more times.

Then to the “Prom” Movement… place both clenched fists to the chest, and look ahead. Lean forward, swing the fists three times and then sit back on the left heel. Stretch out the right leg with the tip of the right foot opened, then perform 3 sets of 3 swings of the fists. Once done, stand up to do “Yang Sam Khum” – three-point step, before returning to the boxer’s corner. Then turn facing towards the opponent’s corner and perform the “Wai” by pressing the hands together at

the chest level and raising them once to the forehead. This would complete the “Wai Khru” ritual dance.
However, we may need to extend the dance, and this could be done by adding more movements, either sitting or standing. Once done, perform the “Yang Sam Khum” returning to own corner and “Wai” to complete the “Wai Khru”.

“Yang Sukkasem” Dance, or “Khunpol Krai Tuan” (swinging of the lance) Dance, also known as “Krai Tuan Rob Tid” is a standing posture dance to train the boxer to look and be on guard of things around him. He is also trained to check the softness of the ground by using his feet to touch the ground twice and change direction covering all directions.
This is another beautiful routine of “Wai Khru” set of movements. Beginning with the “Wai Khru – Thep Panom” movement through to the standing pose of

“Thep Nimit”, extending the legs with action of using one of the feet to feel the ground twice,then swing it out to the side and repeat the routine of feeling the ground until complete the circle. Normally, we would take around eight small turns of swinging the leg to complete the full circle. Once this is done, do a three-point step to return to own corner, and turn around to give “Wai” gesture the opponent, completing the dance.

Before starting this dance routine, the seated warm-up routine (or Wai Kru), starting with “Thep Panom” through to the steps of “Prom” dance routine must be performed first.
Step 1 : Turn the body to the right and perform “Wai” (raising of hands with palms placed together to the forehead) gesture in paying respect to Pra Prom.
Step 2 : Make one step with the left foot forward. Lift the right leg and extend it to the back with, at the same time, bend the right arm and raise it to chin level in parallel with the ground. The left arm is bent in perpendicular to the ground, with the fist raised.

Step 3 : Insert the left fist through the inner side of the right arm to as far as the left elbow is positioned above the right arm – with the right arm still in parallel to the ground.
Step 4 : Change over from the right arm to the left, placing it parallel to the ground. Perform the same arm insertion movement.
Step 5 : Change from standing on the left leg to the right, repeat steps 2 – 4.
Step 6 : Perform the dance routine in all directions, until all 4 directions are covered. Then return to the corner with the boxing steps. Turn around and take a bow at the opponent to complete the dance routine.

Is a “Wai Khru” dance of gentle movement in a sitting pose. Beginning with “Thep Panom” movement through to “Pathom”, and then balance the body on one of the knees with fists swinging in reverse motion three times. The dance comprises of the following process :
Gathering of facial powder – this includes a movement of gathering imaginary facial powder on the ground from back to front.

Put it on the hands and gently stroke it on the left and right cheeks with one of the hands. Use the other hand to hold up an imaginary mirror in grace, and look up turning the head side by side. Shake the head to show dissatisfaction, and repeat the process of gathering the powder again. Do this three times until satisfied on the third occasion. Conclude the dance by standing up, perform a three-point step to return to the boxer’s own corner, and turn around to do “Wai” gesture to the opponent.

Suer Lark Hang is another WaiKru performed, beginning with ” Thep Panom ” steps, followed by ” Taway Bangkom “, or steps of paying respect, then “Pathom”, and “Tha Prom” routines. The boxer will afterwards move towards his opponent with both hands in protective on-guard posture, dragging his knee in an attempt to lure his opponent to strike with a kick.
Step 1 : While seated in “Prom” dance position – left foot placed perpendicular to the ground, the right leg extended to the back. With tips of the toes touching the ground, lean forward as much as one could. Circle the fists around one another. Once done, bend the arms with the hands raised. Constantly move the two arms up and down in alternate fashion. Stretch both arms to the side and slightly move them up and down.

Swing the head left and right, and move the body up and down in synchronization with the body weight now resting on the left foot and the tip of the right foot pushing against the ground to maintain balance while moving the body in tune with the music.

Step 2 : Move the body until it sits on the heel of the left foot, the right leg stretching to the front, with both hands doing the circular fist movement and the body moving up and down as in Step 1.
This dance routine may be switched from right foot to left.
Perform three-point steps to return to the corner. Turn around to face the opponent’s corner, and perform a “Wai” gesture to conclude the routine.

“Fon Rum Choeng” Dance Routine
In Muaythai, deceptive moves are often used to trick the opponent to open up his guard. The boxer would attack once such opportunity is available. The moves encompass alternate lifting of the legs, swaying the body left to right, and tip-toeing in style.

After the dance routine, the boxer would do three-point steps to return to his corner, and turn around facing his opponent’s corner, then perform “Wai” gesture to conclude the routine.

“Yang Sukkasem” Dance, or “Khunpol Krai Tuan” (swinging of the lance) Dance, also known as “Krai Tuan Rob Tid” is a standing posture dance to train the boxer to look and be on guard of things around him. He is also trained to check the softness of the ground by using his feet to touch the ground twice and change direction covering all directions.
This is another beautiful routine of “Wai Khru” set of movements. Beginning with the “Wai Khru –

Thep Panom” movement through to the standing pose of “Thep Nimit”, extending the legs with action of using one of the feet to feel the ground twice, then swing it out to the side and repeat the routine of feeling the ground until complete the circle. Normally, we would take around eight small turns of swinging the leg to complete the full circle. Once this is done, do a three-point step to return to own corner, and turn around to give “Wai” gesture the opponent, completing the dance.

After the seated warm-up routine, followed by “Thepnimit” routine in the standing pose, turn the body to the right…
Step 1 : Lift the right foot and extend it to the back. Stand with the left leg, lean slightly forward. Perform a dance routine by extending both arms fully to the side with the standing knee slightly bent. Turn the top of the hands facing down.
Step 2 : Extend the standing knee fully, and bend both wrists with the tips of the fingers pointing upwards.

Step 3 : Lower the right foot to the standing position, and change side with the left leg now extending to the back similar to a flying bird movement. The movements of the arms, hands, and palms should be in synchronization with the music.
Step 4 : Lower the left foot to stand, then perform three-point steps to return to the boxer’s corner. Turn around facing the opponent’s corner and raise the hands, placing them together in the “Wai” gesture to conclude the “Wai Kru” or warm-up routine and the “Hong Hern” dance routine.

Before the start of the “Yung Ram Pan” dance routine, the seated routine (or Wai Kru) of “Thep Panom” must be performed first – similar to other routines – follow the required steps until the standing routine of “Thepnimit” is completed.
Step 1 : Turn to the right and perform “Wai” (raising of hands with palms placed together to the forehead) gesture in paying respect to Pra Prom
Step 2 : Make one step with the left foot forward. Lift the right leg and extend it to the back with, at the same time, leaning the upper body forward with hands placed together at chest level.
Step 3 : Turn the palms outwards and gently roll them in synchronization past under the armpits towards the back until the arms are fully extended. The face should be constantly looking up towards the front.

Step 4 : Move both arms wide to the side and smoothly swing them together to the front of the body in an upward arc line. Spin the arms around each other in 3 cycles.
Step 5 : Move the right leg squarely to the front. Turn the body diagonally to the right and make a right step.
Step 6 : Lift the left leg and extend it fully backward. Stand to balance on the right leg.
Step 7 : Lower the left foot to stand, then perform three-point steps to return to the boxer’s corner. Turn around facing the opponent’s corner and raise the hands, placing them together in the “Wai” gesture to conclude the “Wai Kru” or warm-up routine and the “Yung Ram Pan” dance routine.

This is one of the beautiful dances (of Muay Thai/Thai boxing) in standing posture. It begins with the “Wai Khru” set of movements – starting with seated pose of “Thep Panom” through to “Thepnimit”. The “Pra Ram Plang Sorn” Dance is usually performed in one direction, that is, the direction towards the opponent…
Step One : Turn to the right to do a “Wai” (hands pressing together at the chest and raise to the forehead) one time to pay respect to God Brahmin
Step Two : Take one step of the left foot out to the front, and raise both arms as if holding a bow in the left hand.
Step Three : Reach the right arm to the back of the body as if drawing out an arrow from the back of the neck. Then place the arrow onto the imaginary string of the bow, and pull the string towards the body 2-3 times. On the first go, pull the string without letting go of the arrow, and slide the arm back to the original bow position. Repeat the second time, again without shooting the arrow.

The third time, raise the bow to the ear level and pull the string taught aiming the arrow at the opponent. Release the arrow by twisting the right hand upwards.
Step Four : Once the arrow is released, place the right leg on the ground, and lift the left leg up bending at the knee pointing towards the front. Raise the left hand to the forehead in a posture of observing the path of the arrow to see if it hit the target or not. If it did not, the boxer would shake his head. However, if it did, he would give a nod and show off a happy facial expression.
Step Five : Cast a spell, for example, the “Na Jang Ngang” Spell 3 times and slam one of the feet on the ground three times.
Step Six : Do a three-point step to return to own corner, and turn around to bow at the opponent one time, completing the dance.

Another beautiful dance routine (of Muay Thai/Thai boxing) in standing pose… Before starting the “Narai Kwang Jak” Dance, one begins with “Wai Khru” routine from “Thep Panom” movement through to “Thepnimit”, turn facing the opponent…
Step One : Turn to the right to do a “Wai” (hands pressing together at the chest and raise to the forehead) one time to pay respect to God Brahmin
Step Two : Lift the left foot, balance with the right and hold the left arm up in front
Step Three : Reach to the back with the right arm and hold up the fingers as if getting ready to throw a “Jak” (discus) situated between the fingers.

Swing the arm, beginning slowly and gradually picking up the speed to set for throwing the discus.
Step Four : Once release the discus, put down the left foot. Raise the left hand to the forehead in a posture of observing to see if the discus hit the target or not. The target in this case is imagined to be “Thosakarn” (the demon giant King from the Ramakian epic). If the weapon hit the target, then a nod is given together with happy facial expression.
Step Five : Perform a three-point step to return to own corner, and turn around to bow or “Wai” the opponent, completing the dance