Student Voices

My name is Alona, and I’m from Ukraine. I have always tried to stay active, especially because it helped me cope with stress during different periods of immigration. After moving to Poland, I went to the gym regularly with a trainer, and later I continued training on my own three times a week. It became part of my routine and helped me stay in shape and balanced. However, after some time, I felt stuck in a rut. I tried different activities like running, fitness classes, and yoga, but nothing really fully engaged me or made me feel inspired.

One day, at the school where I was working, a colleague invited me to try Muay Thai with her. She was a very delicate, feminine, and gentle English teacher, and because of that, her suggestion really surprised me. I honestly did not expect such a person to do something like Muay Thai, so at first I was even a little shocked. But at the same time, I became very curious.

I decided to try it just out of interest. After my first class, I was completely impressed. What started as simple curiosity quickly turned into something much deeper. Over time, it became my passion. I started training regularly, and even my daughter sometimes joined me.

As a psychologist, I was also pleasantly surprised by how much Muay Thai supports not only the body, but also mental health and emotional well-being. I was especially surprised to realize that it is not only about being able to defend yourself. It also develops physical fitness, coordination, and thinking skills at the same time.

Thesis: Muay Thai is more than a sport. It builds confidence, mental strength, and supports psychological well-being.

And now, I would like to explain how Muay Thai builds confidence, strengthens mental resilience, improves adaptation skills, and supports psychological well-being 

Point 1: Muay Thai builds confidence

At the beginning of my training, I felt uncomfortable and unsure of myself. However, as I learned new techniques, I gradually became more confident. Learning these techniques made me mentally stronger and more resilient.

Muay Thai also helped me in my work with children. I noticed that children who participated in training became more confident and found it easier to make friends. The feeling of safety and self-defense improved their self-esteem and adaptation skills.

Point 2: Muay Thai strengthens mental health and supports emotional release

Another important benefit of Muay Thai is its positive effect on mental health. Training helps reduce stress and emotional tension. It also improves concentration, discipline, and self-control.

After training sessions, people often feel calmer and more emotionally balanced. I observed that children who experienced migration-related stress became more emotionally stable over time. Training also provided a safe space for emotional release and stress management.

Point 3: Muay Thai supports adaptation and psychological well-being

After the war in Ukraine began, many children were forced to move to Poland. They experienced stress, anxiety, and serious difficulties with adaptation.

Traditional methods for dealing with PTSD were often not fast or effective enough. In addition, the Polish education system required children to join school immediately, which created extra pressure and made the situation even more difficult.

This experience inspired me to start referring children to group Muay Thai classes at this club, which truly helped them emotionally and socially. Many parents also became actively involved and supported their children throughout the process. My trainer personally helped many of the children I referred by volunteering his time and support. I am very grateful to these people for their kindness, dedication, and support.

After six months, we noticed clear positive changes. The children adapted faster and joined local groups more easily. They also showed fewer signs of anxiety, depression, and adaptation difficulties.

According to Martin Seligman’s PERMA theory of well-being, psychological well-being includes:

○ Positive emotions

○ Engagement

○ Relationships

○ Meaning

○ Accomplishment

Muay Thai supports all of these elements and helps people feel stronger both physically and emotionally.