The Essence of Muay Thai: A Warrior's Guide to the Tradition and Its Spiritual Heart

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Nuakai Aru

The Essence of Muay Thai

A Warrior's Guide to the Tradition and Its Spiritual Heart

Nuakai Aru

$55.95 $47.74

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Shambhala Publications Inc
21 October 2025

Religion & beliefs

A fascinating dive into the little-known spiritual dimensions of the popular martial art of Muay Thai, as well as its rich history, traditions, and esoteric practices.

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is considered by many to be the most effective martial art, and its popularity has only been heightened by its dominance in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena. But one little-known aspect of this potent self-defense system is its deep spiritual roots and meditative practices.

In The Essence of Muay Thai, Nuakai Aru, a Muay Thai master and longtime practitioner of various other martial arts, offers a fascinating historical and philosophical view of Muay Thai—along with his personal insights and experiences on the path.

Muay Thai—originally known in its purest fighting form as Muay Boran—was developed as a military fighting system during the 13th century to protect the Sukhothai Kingdom, the first independent—and Buddhist—Thai kingdom. Buddhism infused every aspect of life and society—from governance, to art and architecture, to military strategy—and the view of the Noble Warrior was central in Muay Thai and Muay Boran. The Muay Thai warriors were tasked with protecting the kingdom and its rulers using skillful, tactical, and enlightened action.

Aru is a compelling guide into the enigmatic world of Thai martial arts—its history, legend, lore, esoteric practices, and spiritual aspects—and he shares his own fascinating personal story of physical and emotional healing through Muay Thai.

By: Nuakai Aru
Imprint: Shambhala Publications Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
Weight: 369g
ISBN: 9781645473817
ISBN 10: 1645473813
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 21 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

NUAKAI ARU is a Jamaican-British martial artist, martial arts teacher, lifestyle coach, filmmaker, and actor. A martial artist for 30 years, Aru runs LionHeart Muay Thai, where he teaches both the traditional Thai martial art of Muay Boran and contemporary Muay Thai.

Reviews for The Essence of Muay Thai: A Warrior's Guide to the Tradition and Its Spiritual Heart

“A profoundly transformative and in-depth spiritual map into the world of not only Muay Thai but martial arts in general. If you read one book on Muay Thai, this is the one. You will be unable to put it down!” —Jumayn Hunter, actor and martial artist