“According to research, every inch the head moves forward of the shoulders, weight is amplified by 10 pounds.” Erik Dalton Ph.D.

This is a quote that I throw around regularly but it wasn’t until a recent seminar with Steve I understood the implications those extra 10 pounds of weight has on the body.

Steve was teaching at my kwoon and was talking us through some standing nei gong postures explaining the importance of having the head aligned properly on top of the torso. He used the above quote and then looked over at my medicine balls on the shelves and said, “This medicine ball weighs 10 pounds meaning that every inch your head is out of alignment you’re adding another medicine ball!” and then passed the medicine ball around the group. It was the first time I’d really considered how much 10 pounds of extra strain actually weighed and it was shocking.

Over the years the national sport of Thailand Muay Thai has grown hugely in popularity and is now practiced all over the world and for me the go to guy for tuition has always been my good friend Kru Chris Rawlings – he has fought and taught in Thailand, has produced an impressive stable of fighters and runs the busy Munkorn Dam Gym in Westclif-on-Sea in Essex.

I met Chris through my Dad and by making use of his gym.  We also worked on the Door together and collaborated with to take one of my old students into his first MMA match.  Chris is an unassuming, humble and very quiet man who’s knowledge of Muay Thai and coaching skills are in high demand amongst many top level Muay Thai and MMA fighters wanting to improve their standup ‘game’.   As well as being extremely skilled in the physical aspects of the art Chris also has a deep understanding of its cultural and historic elements as well and always makes for fascinating conversation.

Recently I was fortunate enough to catch up with Chris and chat with him about his journey through the Martial Arts that took him all the way to Thailand and back…

Steve Rowe talks about the principle of the Wedge, body alignment, posture and structure in the Martial Arts.