A Lifestyle Change

Lanna Muay Thai Canada is a fully equipped Muay Thai boxing school, located North of
Weston Road. President and Muay Thai teacher Kru Mel Bellissimo, who is Italian and speaks fluent Thai. Falling in love with the culture and the tradition, Kru Mel is very adamant about making sure the tradition get passed on to his students of Lanna Muay Thai Canada.

Part of the Mission Statement at Lanna Muay Thai Canada is "Fitness and wellness become an integral part of our lives. People of all ages are searching for an activity, hobby or vehicle to help them live a happier, healthier lifestyle. My philosophy is simple. I am passionate about making Respect, Honour and Hard Work not justwords... but words to live by." Part of Kru Mel's message is "Getting and staying fit is about a lifestyle, and being a Martial Artist, my passion is helping people makethat lifestyle change."

The objective of everyone is to improve cardio capability, increase overall body strength, fitness and wellness and learn self defence, which ever level you want to achieve is available. Martial Arts is changing peoples lives, which is a form of self defence. The greatest reward for Kru Mel is seeing people who come in with zero confidence and within a short while they gain tremendous self confidence and self respect. Kru Mel said "giving of oneself is most rewarding and gratifying".

First thing students learn at Lanna Muay Thai Canada is the benefits gained from the classes, such as cardiovascular improvement, patience and hard work, which is all a self development. Lanna Muay Thai Canada has people from all walks of life, people who were on various drugs such as, cocaine, heroine and methadone, at Lanna Muay Thai they were accepted and had a place to focus.

Kru Mel said " it is called Muay Thai for a reason ". The history of Muay Thai is a 2000 year old art form and is recognized as the national sport of Thailand. The term Muay originated as a practical fighting skill using the head, fists, elbows, knees and feet with or without additional weaponry. Today, Muay Thai is uses only four of the natural weapons; hands, elbows, knees and shins. Its popularity has grown rapidly and is now practiced in over 100 countries. Muay Thai will be presented for the first time as a demonstration sport in the next Olympics. What kru Mel and his team are hopping at Lanna Muay Thai Canada that they will be in the fore’ front creating some of the athletes who are going to represent Canada.

Kru Mel sat on the board for the Canadian amateur Muay Thai association, and was voted into the Muay Thai community as vice president of competition. Kru Mel also had numerous conversations with the Ministry of Health and Barb Lyons Stewart, who works for the Ministry, helping to legalize Muay Thai as a sanctioning body in Ontario. On August 14,2010 the (MMA) Mixed Martial Arts was legalized in Ontario.

Kru Mel has a great deal of respect for Thais, their culture, heritage and Muay Thai which is the national sport of Thailand. Kru Mel got started about 12 yrs ago with Muay Thai, he played professional soccer here in Canada, also went into body building, had a serious motorcycle accident in 1997. Then got started in Muay Thai after running into a cousin whose father was a Canadian golden glove boxer. He trained for four years in Muay Thai, and then he decided to pack his bags telling his family he is moving to Thailand for three months which became a year’s trip. While kru Mel was there he had the honour of teaching English, also the opportunity to train, fight and teach.

After returning to Canada Kru Mel made the decision that this is turly his passion, so he followed his dream and went to Thailand. He always loved the Martial Arts, but never came from a traditional Martial Arts background, never took Karate or Tiquando, but loved boxing. also had a neighbour who taught him boxing. From there started working at a Bally Total Fitness gym.

Kru Mel started a small Muay Thai school down the street, which grew within nine months, then moved to the present location. Muay Thai begain to grow, he started with one student, now they have three hundred and ninty five students. Students ranging from different ages, cultures and creeds. The beautiful thing about Muay Thai is the respect given to all Cultures. The wonderful thing is to see an Iranian and a Israeli the best of friends, from a global scale.

By Nicole Hackett
Photojournalist, Immigrant post

Immigrant Post magazine