Tying Praciats

[Torque]

I recently received my first, so I don't really know how to tie them yet by myself?

Normally I've just asked my friend to tie it for me, but if he's not there usually I just slip it on (and its tied from last time), but I find once I work up a bit of a sweat and start with some medium-heavy punches, it starts slipping down and eventually gets to where my wrist is, and I have to keep pushing it back up in between drills, which is quite a pain in the ass.

How do you guys tie them so they actually stay on your arm while punching? Like is there any type of knots so you can just kinda pull a string and it gets tightened? (I never took boyscouts or anything, not good with knots haha)

Or what do you guys do?

[OctaviousBP]

Tie them very loosely. They'll start to come undone and then the ref will come over and make you take them off. Get a little breather, resume fighting.

[Torque]

Haha, I haven't fought yet, but I'll remember that when I do :P

But seriously, for drills and training, I just got back from a class and the damn thing slips off like 5 minutes into punching/blocking.

[dbok1]

Torque,


Why do you wear them when your training??? just wondering.

[Torque]

At my gym it's mandatory for students to wear them, I guess it makes it easier for the instructors (there's only 3, so I'm pretty sure they know most of us regulars anyway) to tell what skill level we're at when training?

Just in case there is any confusion. It's the things you wear on your biceps it's like your rank I guess at my gym, don't know about you guys and your gyms. (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about)

Anyway they look like this:

[OctaviousBP]

Praciats are traditionally (in Thailand) supposed to be an object of veneration. They are supposed to contain something that is important to you. I had mine blessed before I left Thailand, along with my mongkon.

I understand that through an emerging global culture, the Westernization of Muay Thai will call for certain changes, but I hope that the essence of the sport, and it's cultural roots aren't forgotten. I can see why your school might use the praciats as a grading system... whether I agree with that or not is a different matter, but I do hope that the instructor him/herself has an understanding of the tradition, and will pass it on to the students.

[Corey]

Praciats are traditionally (in Thailand) supposed to be an object of veneration. They are supposed to contain something that is important to you. I had mine blessed before I left Thailand, along with my mongkon.

I understand that through an emerging global culture, the Westernization of Muay Thai will call for certain changes, but I hope that the essence of the sport, and it's cultural roots aren't forgotten. I can see why your school might use the praciats as a grading system... whether I agree with that or not is a different matter, but I do hope that the instructor him/herself has an understanding of the tradition, and will pass it on to the students.

What are the colours and how do they correspond as to rank?

[OctaviousBP]

What are the colours and how do they correspond as to rank?

Well, the colours vary depending on what the material is that is used. If I remember correctly, a common threading would be from ones mother's dress. The fighter generally has his own praciat.

As far as rank is concerned, the praciat has absolutely nothing to do with it (in Thailand). It is a reflection of the influence that animism has on the Thais. The only ranking system in Thailand is the one that is decided upon by the promoters. In short, if you're good... you're good. If you're not, well there's always karaoke.

[swisscom]

Yeah.. i'm wondering this too.. well to both questions haha
I just got my white praciat when i signed up for the class
I'm staring at it wondering how to tie it..
They are also using them as a ranking symbol here too..

So yeah.. if anyone knows, please shed your knowlage open me

[academian]

I would say your best option for tying these would be a bowline or a fishermans knot. If you really want to be creative you can use the age old tried and true hangmans knot.But sense they can be used by your opponent to control your movement(much like a steering wheel controls a car) I would highly recomend the classic slip knot!

[swisscom]

Thanks for the info. I shall attempt it now.. *looks up how to tie a hangmans knot* A friend of mine came over earlier.. and he braided the tassles together.. Looked right to me, just.. yeah thanks for informing me ;P

[academian]

I am just bored and clueless I dont even know what those things are

[swisscom]

ahhaahha :'(

[academian]

So what are they? (I dont want to read the entire thread)

[swisscom]

Praciats are traditional "arm bands" muay thai fighters wear.. I dont know the whole story behind them.. im kind of new to muay thai =/