Muay Thai, or the “art of eight limbs,” features a combination of quick movements of the fists, elbows, shins and knees. That was all in store during instructor James Leger's Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Muay Thai classes are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15pm, and began in August 2023 as an outlet for more advanced students from the Taekwondo class who prefer the fluidity and freedom of sparring.
“later [Tae Kwon Do] “When classes started, we started coming in and messing around,” said Leger, who is in his third year at the Martial Arts Fitness Center. “Just taking the moves we learned in taekwondo and applying them in a fun way. That's how it started.”
Students Hannah Morehart and Brenna Duff were in the first group to join the class of 2023.
“Physically, I do a lot of cardio and then strength training,” Duff says. “Mentally, I feel a lot stronger and a lot more confident in my abilities. I feel like I have more confidence that I can take care of myself just walking around Walmart or downtown or just walking to my car after work.”
The two began taking taekwondo lessons about two years ago and have noticed benefits that go beyond just the physical aspects.
“I think it's important to learn how to push yourself mentally and physically, and to realize that we're capable of so much more than we think we are,” Morehart says.
“It's like growing up you always hear the saying mind conquers matter, and it's so true,” Duff continued. “If you can convince your brain to keep working, you'll be stronger.”
Ledger values teaching discipline, self-esteem and confidence, which his students gain from his training programs, and what he likes most is seeing his students grow and achieve more than they did last week and gain the confidence that comes with it.
“My message is to never give up,” Leasure says. “Never give up and believe in yourself and be disciplined. And consistency… if you have a bad day or a bad workout, it's OK. Just bounce back and the next day you'll be better. So slow down, but never give up.”
Founded in 1975 by Frederick Gommels, the Martial Arts Fitness Center offers a variety of sports including Taekwondo, Hapkido, Aikido, Karate and Tai Chi.
Instructor James Leger (center) coaches Ryland Sangannou (left) in punching while Sergio Fuentes (right) holds the pads during a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh throws a punch during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, center, grabs a jump rope and gets ready to warm up during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff, left, Hannah Morehart, center, and Isaiah Syverson do squats during a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart throws a punch during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, left, and Brenna Duff spar during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh (left), Ryland Sanganou (center) and Sergio Fuentes (right) practice punches during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh delivers a kick during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Isaiah Syverson focuses on a plank hold during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Isaiah Syverson does a plank during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Students get in a core workout during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart does a plank position during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh throws a kick at Isaiah Syverson during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh prepares to throw a punch during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, left, holds Brenna Duff's pads during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff, right, lands a knee kick on the pads held by Hannah Morehart during a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Sergio Fuentes, center right, and Silando Sanganou, center left, practice punches and kicks during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, left, kicks into the pads held by Brenna Duff during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, left, elbows pounding on the pads held by Brenna Duff during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart, left, prepares to throw a punch at the pads held by Brenna Duff during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Instructor James Leger videos Ryland Sanganou, left, and Sergio Fuentes as they practice punches and kicks during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
From left, Isaiah Syverson, Nick Huynh, Brenna Duff and Hannah Morehart practice punches and kicks during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff, right, straps on Hannah Morehart's chest pads during a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff ties Hannah Morehart's chest pads during a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff, right, and Hannah Morehart spar during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff, right, and Hannah Morehart spar during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Nick Huynh, left, punches Isaiah Syverson during sparring during a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Brenna Duff leads stretching exercises after a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Students stretch after a Muay Thai class at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Isaiah Syverson stretches after a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Hannah Morehart (back) and Isaiah Syverson stretch after a Muay Thai class at Martial Arts Fitness Center in Rochester, Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Maya Hiron / Post-Bulletin
Maya Jiron joined the Post-Bulletin staff in 2023. She grew up in the Berkshire region of western Massachusetts and earned her BFA in photo journalism from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, N.Y. in spring 2023. While at RIT, she interned at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Rapid City Journal in Rapid City, South Dakota, before moving to Minnesota.
