“Why don’t you run a self-defense seminar or a short clinic focused on street-survival tips?” It’s a fair question—after all, there’s no shortage of one-off workshops promising quick tricks for fending off an attacker. We’ve seen it take place numerous times just one block away in Astoria Park. But here's the truth: real danger doesn’t answer to bullet-point lists or ten-minute demos…

We know that mastering Muay Thai isn’t just about perfecting your roundhouse kick—it’s about cultivating the mental habits that turn a good class into a great one. The body follows the mind: when you train your headspace as diligently as your cardio and technique, you’ll find you progress faster, handle setbacks with grace, and get more out of every single session. Here are seven mental strategies to adopt before, during, and after class so you can show up sharp, stay focused, and crush every workout.

You’ve just wrapped up an intense Muay Thai class—sweat pouring, heart pumping, but the work doesn’t have to stop there. Our 30-minute open mat is yours to own. Instead of rushing off the mat, use this time to cement the skills you just learned, sharpen your conditioning, and build habits that translate to faster progress. Here’s how to turn open-mat minutes into real gains.

At ITC, we know that your progress on the mats isn’t just forged during rounds of pad work or grappling sessions—it’s solidified in the rest and recovery that follows. Whether you’re learning your first Judo throw or refining your Muay Thai clinch, smart recovery rituals will keep you moving freely, reduce downtime from injury, and ensure you’re at your sharpest for every class. Here’s how to build a simple yet effective routine around mobility, stretching, and injury prevention