Hi All,

Recently, we all have been told that without a prajeed, we are not allowed to join MT classes. I went to class today without a prajeed and was not allowed to join the class. I just want to get your guys' thought on this. If it's just me who disagree with it, then fine, but if you guys have the same thoughts, pls do share them...

Here are some of my thoughts on this:

1. We have been told that not wearing a prajeed shows disrespect to our teachers. One person not wearing a prajeed and another person wearing one doesn't mean he is more respectful of the teachers than the other guy. It just means he has a better discipline or he has more time on hand(Alot of us train 4-5 times a week, and the prajeed needs to be washed and dried after workout- and we are given one prajeed!). I respect each and every teacher and student at Evolve, forgetting or misplacing the prajeed doesn't mean I don't respect them.

2. Evolve is a commercial establishment, and it should not stop it's students from participating in classes for this reason. It is OK to stop students from joining a class if they don't dress properly for workout, or if they show agressiveness or disrespect to anyone. I don't think that Evolve should bar it's students from joining classes if they forgot or misplaced their prajeeds.

I'm still thinking that Evolve is a great place to learn martial arts. Just that it's getting more scary to me with this iron-fist discipline.

Thanks,
John

Hi, did you explain to the instructors on ur reasons for not bringing the prajeed?. I guess the idea they are bringing across is they mean what they say, and would like to see everyone using them and following the rules. Coz if 1 person doesnt use it, another person observes, then soon one will see a trend of evolve students bringing the prajeeds as and when they like and that itself will indirectly translate disrespect. I know where you are coming from and I do agree to some of your points but personally, I do not think the prajeed is an issue and should not be considered an iron fist displine - its basic discipline.

The Prajeed system was developed by our Grand master Kru Yodtong to rank Muay Thai fighters. To be promoted to level 2 means that you are officially a student of Sityodtong. Not wearing the prajeed is tantamount to disrespect of our krus. Muay Thai is a martial art and I believe that we need to observe this discipline when we are in the gym.

It also allows our krus to gauge the class before he starts the training i.e. if there are more level 2 and 3s , he will perhaps focus on new techniques. If there are more level 1 students, he will perhaps focus more on basics.

T.S.Chan

Hi John, it's an honor to get promoted by some of the best instructors in the world. we should all honor our instructors by respecting the Sityodtong prajied given to us by them. By wearing it, we are showing them that we cherish and respect what they have given and taught us. It's not just Muay Thai but the way of life. I don't think it is iron discipline - the prajied has a long history in Muay Thai and is rich in tradition. it is a matter of respect to wear what is given by the teacher. Also the prajied is only a small item, when you reach home wash it, air dry it with a hairdryer and it's ready the next day. That's what i do everyday, so if i can do it, surely you can too?

Hi John,

I sympathize with you and can understand how upset you are for not being allowed into the class. I believe that your Kru for that day are equally upset that they had to turn you away for it is their passion now to impart knowledge to you.

You have been wearing a prajeed for over 6 months now and are obviously aware of its significance. Yes, respect is not something you wear on a sleeve but a prajeed is more that that. You train hard in Muay Thai. In return, your hard work and perseverance is being rewarded and recognized with the prajeed. It is a gift to you from your Kru. Wear it with pride because you deserve it.

Treat the Prajeed like a uniform, rather than an armband. You would not attend your BJJ class without an obi belt and a soldier would not step into his camp without his uniform and rank. All three are symbols of recognition of personal accomplishment.

You might consider getting another prajeed to alternate if you have a problem drying one in time.

As to your comments on Evolve being a commercial establishment, I will have to strongly disagree with you. Evolve was established as an extension of Sityodtong where Kru Chatri have been tasked to care of and all the trainers and staff in the event the grandmaster passes away. It is more a labour of love than a business concern.

Kru Yodtong founded his school almost 50 years ago in the aim of improving the lives of those who enter the gates of Sityodtong. Regardless of how they did, all he expected from his charges was that they became good members of society. To this end, he had several simple rules. The Kru that train us today are pillars of the rules laid out by Kru Yodtong.

Evolve is a commercial establishment because it exists and not because it was conceived to be one. John, look past the modern facilities we have and the hype Evolve has generated this last year or so. You will find the spirit started by Kru Yodtong still prevails. Wearing the Prajeed diligently may appear trivial but it forms a keystone to which we learn basic respect and generosity.

I may also add that the Headmasters of Evolve do not “rule with an iron fist”. While this is not done openly, they do reach out and ask for assistance and suggestions to making Evolve not just a better place for us to train but also to contribute to our community. I have seen several of these recommendations implemented. According to Kru Toy, this is also another hallmark of Sityodtong.

Cheers and Train hard.

Terence

John, you brought up an interesting issue. From your posting, I perceived you really like Muay Thai and were disappointed you were not allowed to train because you did not bring/wear your prajeed. I agreed with the replies already posted by other people including Chan, Lim and Terence. Please allow me to add my views.

At 57 years' old, I started late into martial arts and Muay Thai. Since then, I have come to appreciate martial arts and what it represents a little better. To me, martial arts is more than the techniques we learn. A true martial artist embraced a philosophy that focuses on
1. self-respect,
2. respect for others,
3. honor
4. giving
5. humility

Martial arts schools that teach its students the techniques only without the above is truly a commercial enterprise. In this respect, Evolve-MMA is NOT a commercial enterprise.

Sityodtong Muay Thai was founded by Kru Yodtong. I met the legendary Grandmaster a few days ago in Pattaya. He is a embodiment of self-respect, respect for others, honor, giving and humility. There are many excellent masters and grandmasters of Muay Thai in Thailand. However, there is only ONE who was honored by the King of Thailand for the contribution he made via Muay Thai. Why? Because besides having the ability to produce the most world champions in the art, he focused on and taught the philosophy of muay thai. His students like Krus Chatri, Nuengpichit, Yoddecha, Ped, Yodsanan, Toy, Daorung learn and practice this philosophy and is now passing on to us all.

In most martial arts, there is a grading system for students. At Sityodtong, we use the prajeed as a mark of achievement and rank for the students. Wearing the prajeed means the student learn the art of Muay Thai and through self respect, trains hard to be proficient in the required techniques to be promotable.

Our training and proficiency is recognized by our instructors who now award us a prajeed for our achievement. The instructors took great pride in recognizing our milestone in our training. In return, we wear the prajeed as a show of respect and honor for our instructors for correctly recognizing us.

Wearing the prajeed allows others students to see who their 'seniors' are. As we get promoted, it is our responsibility to train our "junior" students to learn the art. In helping other students, we again honor our instructor and grandmaster. We also learn as we help others. This is only possible if promotion is held in high regard and the people promoted wear their prajeeds to identify themselves.

Lastly, martial arts teaches us to be humbled. We may have been promoted yet, there are still many things and experiences we don't have. The prajeed just marked a milestone. It is not the end. It infact, is a new beginning - a modest small step forward.

In the military, we earn our stripes. In BJJ, Judo, Karate and TKD, we earn our colored belts. In Muay Thai, we earn our prajeeds. It is therefore part of the "uniform" without which, you are not properly dressed. From a practical standpoint, wearing the prajeeds allow the instructors to plan his training appropriately for his class - either in partnering at kickpads or clinching or sparring.

John, your instructors were proud to present the prajeed to you. You should be equally proud to wear it as a recognizable sign that you've reached a particular milestone similar to all Sityodtong students at this level around the world.

See you at the next training..

Rich Wee

Two points :

(1) Evolve is a commercial establishment, it has to be to be able to offer us the best facilities and more importantly the best trainers I've ever had the honour of being trained by. It's only my opinion but the Evolve team appear to love what they do but they still need to get paid and the facilities need to be maintained. I have no issues with this at all. If Evolve was not run as a commercial operation then it would cease trading pretty quickly which would not be good news for all of us.

(2) As per the previous posts, you get a Prajeed awarded to you - you wear it, end of story. If I forgot to bring it with me I wouldnt go to the class. As an aside I dont ever wash my Prajeed or my BJJ belt.

Scooter, you have some serious hygiene issues. 555555555!

I just jump in the shower with the prajeed on. Wash everything at once and then clip it onto my gym bag to air dry. This way the prajeed is always there when I attend classes

I dont think the Prajeed or my BJJ belt smell!!! If they start to hum then I'll wash them!

FYI John,extra prajieds are available at the evolve front desk for $10 per piece no worries mate...