INTEGRATING YOGA INTO YOUR MUAY THAI TRAINING ROUTINE

For years, my wife, Liz, a pro yoga instructor, tried convincing me to join her yoga sessions. At first, I didn’t think it was for me. I was all about Muay Thai, and I couldn’t see how stretching and slow poses would help me in the ring. In other words... I was being a stubborn dickhead.

After a lot of persistence on her end, I finally gave in and started practicing yoga with her regularly. Not long after, I went on a three-fight win streak. In each of those fights, I felt looser, more comfortable in my body, and more focused than ever before. I truly believe that yoga played a huge role in that success.

Even though I’m retired from fighting, I still practice yoga to this day, and I think every Muay Thai fighter should, too. Here's why:

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOGA AND MUAY THAI

Muay Thai requires explosive movements—quick kicks, powerful knees, and dynamic footwork—but flexibility and recovery are...

'NO YOGA? NO MUAY THAI' - WHY STRETCHING IS ESSENTIAL TO FIGHTING

By Evan Lee

Recovery is one of the most essential factors of fighting and training yet it is also one of the most neglected. Yoga will not only help you to recover faster and prevents injuries, but I will wager to say that it will also make you a faster learner of Muay Thai and any physical activity.

First things first. Let’s talk injury prevention. As you might expect, tight muscles aren’t good.

Just imagine two scenarios. Let’s say you have a rubber band that’s been frozen, if you stretch it… it snaps. However, if you have a rubber band that’s nice and warm and has been tanning in the sun for a while, you can stretch it and it'll do its job without problem.

Yoga is a way to warm up your body so that you are ready for the strenuous exercise that is to come. Remember: don't be a frozen rubber band.

You wouldn’t try to stretch a frozen rubber band, so do not try to...