ISKA Kickboxing/Muaythai Instructor Course Level 1 & 2 2012

Last week I went to Borneo Combat Gym, Labuan, for my ISKA Instructor Course - Level 1.

ISKA level 1 Instructors, batch 2012. (L-R) Coach Jacky, Sharon, Wong, Myself, Nate, Master Khoo (our trainer who is Asia's ISKA representative and owner of TNTKickboxing), Sid, Alvin, Adey, Calvin, and Aaron.

It was a tough and challenging course requires alot of physical and mental focus.We all came from different background, places, and objective to get this course perhaps. But one thing for sure about us that we never quit.

The course started off with the most basic part, to do handwraps by yourself and to teach others. We also receive a pair of free handwraps of Master Khoo's brand - Red Dragon.

Besides being a coach, we also get to play as a student. Having an adequate amount of stamina is not an option.

Despite being scolded hard by Master Khoo, all of us endured and passed the test.

He may be strict, but he's a very fun guy. Most importantly he really help us by sharing all his experiences as a coach and showed us the essence of being a good coach.

And I was told to be the first female in Sabah to get certified as a ISKA Kickboxing level 1 coach.

Coach Alvin gave me a present, sewing it on my Fairtex muaythai pants :)

This course had not just improve my knowledge on new class syllabus and techniques but also help me discover and bring out the energy from within. It has been a self-improvement and will continue as a life learning point.

Coach Julian and Randall went for Level 2 upgrading after my test the next day.

Much more harder than Level 1, I better keep in mind before going for level 2 next year.

And they (Level 2 participants) all passed too! Plus, Coach Alvin just got his Level 4, which means the next upgrade would be train and evaluate by him.

Kinabalu Fighters team with Master "Red Dragon" Khoo.

Would like to thank everyone who supported me since I became a Fitness Instructor. You guys, from all walks of life, are true motivators.

I look forward to my upgrade in the future, as for now, continuous improvement! Here I come!

Ladies Self Defense & MMA Seminar by Coach Antonio Battistessa

Hola fit and sexy readers! KinabaluFighters gonna held a LADIES SELF-DEFENSE Seminar.

Do spread this news around especially those free on 4th & 5th August. Your girlfriends, mother, grandma, sisters, relatives, wife (wives, kof*), ex (yea if you're still cool with them), you yourself perhaps and any ladies you cared for.

Below is a long overdue post, as I had my first MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) seminar with Coach Antonio from Italy.

Using boxing gloves to "throw" at your partner. What's this for?

 In this seminar, I learn alot of practical things about MMA especially when it comes to real self-defense situations.

It actually makes you realize how accurate and strength you put in your punches.

The take down.

In white rash guard is Azrin, the assistant of the day.

 Antonio taught ways on how to take down on a bigger guy, even with this petite frame and lower strength.

Ground and pound

Serious stuff.

I have to admit it was awkward at first when I did my first ground training with AJ Pyro and BorneoTribalSquad during an MMA training earlier this year.

Then, I became fascinated after trying out CrazyMonkeyDefense and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Studio23 by Albert and Reuben.

Yep, alot of body contacts. But I'm glad our gym is clean everyone trains hard and seriously. Like, seriously.

Ladies, as for the seminar - fret not. I'll be there assisting Antonio as a demo "dummy" so even there's extra participant I can fill in the odd numbers as well =)

Kinabalu Fighters, graffiti art by CrackoArt.

Oh and psstt - Something delicious cooked up by CoreFitness leaked by Sam's tweet himself and not official announce on Corefitness FB page yet.

So if you're interested in the gym or existing member who wants to extend your membership, you know the drill.

Kuching Trip - SS Fighter Gym & Studio 23

Was in Kuching from 8th - 12th June for Kyan!me (an anime, comic, games, and Japanese cultural convention, which some of you wouldn't be surprise of me attending this type of events since I have the essence of geek in me) over the weekend.

 What to do on Monday? Well, Julian (my Muay Thai coach), Fara (the wife) and I (okay, light bulb not intended zzz) decided to pay the local gyms a visit.

 First one was SS Fighters Muay Thai Gym.

Kids showing off because they can. lulz.

  Gotta love the kids, there wasn't any trainings going on at the moment but these kids were doing their own training. Well, actually they started showing their muay boran skills and muay thai techniques when we were around to check out the gym. Seems like intentional. So cute, lulz. I'll be teaching kids muay thai soon anyways so am starting to enjoy the view of it. =)

Studio for dance classes, etc.

Pretty decent retail stock display.

 And I got myself a tank top.

 They have machines for cardio and strength training as well.

Now move on to next visit, which we also tried their classes. So happen that Julian knows Reuben, who is also Aikido instructor (from last year's Kyan!me, they did a demo for the event) + Crazy Monkey Defense trainer, who is kind enough to brought to his regular training ground at Studio23.

Julian and I join Reuben with Crazy Monkey Defense and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu class instructed by Albert while Fara join the belly dance class taught by Albert's wife. I gotta say I enjoy every bit of it!

Albert giving demo, pointers on technique before starting.

 Clean, ventilated, minimalist, feels like "home". PINK KETTLEBELLS.

 A very patient and clear delivery of techniques teaching by instructor. PINK KETTLEBELLS

Friendly members. My training partner Joey (then found out apparently we have the same name, at least we both have our own nicknames too =D), is really helpful and willing to be patient on bringing me into this sport since I'm really new to it. I love the fact that she always give feedbacks on the moves and get it right. PINK KETTLEBELLS

 I decided to save rolling until my next visit after I polish abit on my grappling first.

They also have some interesting workout challenge on board.

 Did I mention they have nice looking PINK KETTLEBELLS?

Lol I love the name.

Group pic with the bunch. Awesome people. Pic taken by Fara.

Besides the food, I think Studio23 became one of the reason why I love Kuching. There's various things I love about Kuching but I'm saving that in my personal blog instead.

So if you ever step food on Kuching, either business trip, study, vacation, or settle down and looking for a place to train I highly recommend these two place for you to check out.

Train with former Rajadamnern Champion at Borneo Combat Gym

 Last Saturday went to Borneo Combat Gym with Kinabalu Fighters members for a training session with Surin Sasiprapa, a former Rajadamnern champion from Bangkok, Thailand.

Rendell wrapping up.

Rendell, ISKA kickboxing trainer also went with us to BCG. He was "raised" and trained by BCG and currently an instructor for Kinabalu Fighters club.

Ian (blue shrit) and Casmir (orange shirt) wrapping up.

Ian Jj offers freelance personal training as well as bootcamp trainings. Casmir is currently an active member of Kinabalu Fighters.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel is a member of Kinabalu Fighters and also trains with BJJ Borneo Academy on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Derp face. This is just after warm-up and stretches.

Kids kickboxing training.

Pull for fun after training. Yeah, "fun". lulz.

Aunties train kickboxing too! It was custom to lower impact with same intensity training.

Good for muscle sore prevention.

Ready for spar?

Seems ready.

Meet Bulgi again, hehehe. Thanks to strength training, seems much easier to carry you now.

Another fruitful meaningful trip and fellowship with Alvin aka Poseidon of Borneo Combat Gym is always great.

Surin, looking good in pink top. And Alvin, looking ripped.

  Don't miss out your oppurtunity to train with Surin, as he will be at BCG until end of this month- May 2012. Both group and/or personal training available.

Lovin this fleece jacket.

 Check them out.