Muay Thai in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Kuhn Kru Rick Faye

By Diana Rathborne

For anyone who has taken the written test Ajarn Chai gives at his Oregon Thai Boxing Training Camp, Rick Faye is a name to be familiar with. As one of 6 regional directors for the Thai Boxing Association, Rick Faye is the correct answer to the question “Who is the regional director for the North Central region?”. Fortunately, for many of us in the midwest, we have also had the opportunity to train under and learn from Kuhn Kru Rick Faye.

Many others outside the midwest are also familiar with him through instructors who cut their teeth on Muay Thai with Rick: Dean Lessei, Greg Nelson, Erik Paulson, Dave Leitch, Tim Mousel, James Cook, John Fehling, Andy Grahn and Nat McIntyre are just a few of these talented Muay Thai instructors.

At the Minnesota Kali Group, Rick Faye’s school in Minneapolis, Muay Thai training is a fundamental and essential element of the curriculum. For the beginning students, Muay Thai’s injury free training method and logical progression provide them with a sound defensive structure, an impressive offensive output and a conditioning ethic. Additionally, self confidence, stress release, line familiarization and the camaraderie of Muay Thai training benefit all who train in the art.

A unique facet of Kuhn Kru Rick’s approach to Muay Thai is his desire to make the art accessible to those who have no interest in going into competition. His approach focuses on getting the defensive and offensive skills across to and ingrained in his students. Students who wish to further explore ways to challenge themselves within the art without fighting can do so through three different testing modes Kuhn Kru Rick has developed. These tests are designed to challenge students’ endurance, defensive reactions and combative skill and functioning. His 1 Hour Club test requires the student to train on the thai pad for an hour continuously at a good pace, with good form. His Ten and Five Round Club tests are more combative and follow specific formats to be performed at a sprint pace. Each test is progressively more combatively minded with the 5 Round test being the most combative. These formats have allowed students and instructors to challenge and develop themselves within the art.

The results of his teaching method are evident: the student body varies in age from 15 - 60, in physicality from very timid to unbelievably rugged, and in interest from those looking to just get fit, to law enforcement and military personnel and a few fighters. His love of the art and respect for Ajarn Chai are obvious to anyone who has been in any of his classes. Rick often will share stories of Ajarn Chai’s influence on his development as a martial artist and a person in his classes.

Rick is a Full Instructor in the Thai Boxing Association under Ajarn Chai. His respect for both the art and Ajarn Chai is apparent in both his teaching style and personal training regime and ethic.

You are always welcome to visit the Minnesota Kali Group in person or on line (www.mnkali.com). The school is located at 4532 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. To reach Kuhn Kru Rick, call 612 821 6800 or email: mnkali@aol.com