LETHWEI AMERICA

Lethwei America

INTRODUCTION

Martial arts are systems that blend the physical components of combat with strategy, philosophy, tradition, or other features that distinguish them from pure physical reaction. Over the last 50 years there has been an increasing public awareness of and interest in the martial arts in the United States.1,2

Individuals often study martial arts and combat sports for more than one reason. Many of these are not mutually exclusive. An individual may approach practice for one specific reason and find that there are additional motivations for continuing participation. The reasons for studying martial arts and combat sports are varied and may include:

  • self-defense & safety2
  • physical fitness and health3,4,5,6
  • sports participation/competition4,5,7
  • aesthetic expression/movement appreciation3
  • cultural and historical experiences3,8
  • personal development and satisfaction6,8
  • social support, stress reduction, mental health4,5,8
  • improved self-esteem and self-confidence, self-discipline4,5,6,8

These motivations are applicable to the practice of martial arts in Myanmar (Burma). Myanmar’s rich cultural and historical background has been shaped by a diversity of peoples and backgrounds. This diversity has resulted in a broad tradition of combat disciplines among the Myanmar people. Among these is Lethwei. A highly effective method of personal combat, Lethwei (fighting sport) is one of four general Burmese martial traditions known as “Thaing”. The others include Bando (unarmed self-defense), Banshay (armed self-defense), and Naban (grappling).1,9,10,11

Lethwei is a unique, southeast Asian form of boxing known as the “Art of 9 Limbs”. It uses all anatomical weapons including bare fists, legs, elbows, knees, and head. Lethwei allows a wide variety of fighting tactics including punching, kicking, elbowing, kneeing, clinching, throwing, trapping, and choking. Lethwei can be practiced as a combat sport, a fighting art, and an efficient method for fitness improvement. In the United States, the chance to train in traditional Lethwei [as practiced in Myanmar] has not been available. 

Traditional Lethwei is poorly understood in the United States. Its techniques, tactics, strategies, training methods, and cultural traditions remain relatively unknown. Beginning in 2018, Dr. Patrick Finley in partnership with Saya Win Zin Oo, founder and senior coach of the Thut Ti Lethwei Club of Yangon, established Lethwei America to promote the awareness, education, and practice of traditional Lethwei in the United States.

LETHWEI AMERICA MISSION

The mission of Lethwei America is to:

  1. Increase awareness of Lethwei in the United States.
  2. Promote the practice of Lethwei in the United States of America.
  3. Support the practice and promotion of Lethwei in Myanmar.
  4. Support the practice of all kickboxing arts and combat sports in the United States.

To achieve its mission, the Lethwei America in partnership with renowned Saya Win Zin Oo, founder and senior coach of the Thut Ti Lethwei Club of Yangon developed the Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative. The Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative includes a curriculum and training program that promotes the teaching, training, culture, and spirit of Thut Ti Lethwei. Lethwei America is the official representative for the Initiative in the United States.

LETHWEI AMERICA GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Lethwei America holds the following values to be essential to its mission:

  1. Accommodation of students with diverse interests and abilities.
  2. Fostering of tolerance, respect, and inclusion.
  3. Offering pathways for the development of Lethwei students, instructors, and coaches.
  4. Preserving the techniques, training methods, and strategies of Lethwei.
  5. Recognizing and promote the traditions and culture of Lethwei.
  6. Emphasizing the four facets of Lethwei training – competition, self-defense, fitness, and culture.
  7. Providing a curriculum and training program that is flexible and accommodating.
  8. Advancing an evidence-based best practices approach to the training and practice of Lethwei.
  9. Respecting, supporting and acknowledging all kickboxing arts.

LETHWEI AMERICA PROGRAM

Following the The Thut Ti Lethwei Global Education and Training Initiative curriculum and training program, Lethwei America teaches and promotes the practice, training, culture, and spirit of Lethwei. The Lethwei America program includes the technical skills, tactics, and strategy necessary for the practice of Lethwei. The program seeks to cultivate the personal, social, and cultural aspects associated with Lethwei and offers the structure and support necessary to facilitate the learning and teaching of Lethwei for self-defense, sport, and fitness. 

The Lethwei America program highlights the four aspects of Lethwei practice – combat sport, self-defense, fitness, and culture. The program emphasizes diversity, inclusion, flexibility, and acceptance of all who wish to learn and train Lethwei. It includes curricular, instructional, and training components that are designed to facilitate and enhance the learning and teaching of Thut Ti Lethwei as well as cultivate the personal, social, and cultural facets of Lethwei.

References

1 Green, T. A., ed. (2001). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara.

2 Donohue, J. J. (1994). Wave People: The Martial Arts and the American Imagination. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 3, No. 1.

3 Quora. (2016). Why do people learn martial arts? Available: https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-learn-martial-artsit came down to 3 reasons.

4 Maliszewski, M. (July 1992). Meditative-Religious Traditions of Fighting Arts and Martial Ways. Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Vol. 1, No. 3.

5 Maliszewski, M. (1996). Spiritual Dimensions of the Martial Arts. Charles E. Tuttle Company: Rutland

6 Almeida, R. (2015). 12 Reasons why Martial Arts are better for kids than team sports. http://www.ricardoalmeida.com/12-reasons-martial-arts-better-kids-team-sports/

7 How to Beast (2015). 7 Reasons to Learn a Martial Art (2016). https://www.howtobeast.com/7-reasons-every-man-should-learn-a-martial-art/

8 Ho, E. (Sept. 10, 2013). The Five Reasons Why Gen-Y Should Learn Martial Arts. Available: https://www.elitedaily.com/life/five-reasons-why-gen-y-should-learn-martial-arts

9 Rebac, Z. (2003). Traditional Burmese Boxing: Ancient and Modern Methods from Burma’s Training Camp. Paladin Press.

10 Simandan, V. M. (2015). Burmese Lethwei: An Ancient Tradition Lives On. http://www.simandan.com/burmese-lethwei-ancient-tradition-lives-on/

11 Mallon, S. (2005). Leth Wei & Khun Khmer Boran: Fighting Arts Of Burma And Cambodia. Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Vol. 14, No. 2