🀄 Muay Thai X Mortal Kombat 🐲

STYLE

Jan 18

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”

— Bruce Lee

李振藩

For this style post, I was inspired by my favorite video game when I was a kid and my hero, Bruce Lee. For as long as I can remember, martial arts has been in my world. Not many would know this, but I am a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and my brother is a second degree. TKD really helped me as a young girl because I learned discipline. Motivating myself at an early age was probably the best take away when I would practice and spar in the studio. I had to fight both guys and girls, so I felt a sense of equality. Yes I was scared, but I knew I had to get past that. I used to play Mortal Kombat with my fam and that game gave me a lot of inspiration to super saiyan myself in actual sparring matches. My favorite characters were Scorpion, Jax, and Sonya!

I remember breaking a lot of board when I had to test to move up a rank. I was so terrified when I would have to fight opponents because I was afraid of failing and losing. But defeat can bring such a positive outcome in many ways because it teaches us to get back up again. I may be small but I'm a fighter mentally and physically. I don't like quitting. When I was 13, I competed at the Junior Olympics and placed Silver.

Growing up, I was always in an active environment, exposed to Karate, Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, you name it. This is mainly because my brother is a pro fighter and trainer, so I would go to his matches and watch sometimes. I think the influence of martial arts gave me the ability to see beyond myself, to tap into the "eye of the tiger" as they say. That focus carried me into my yoga practice. It gave me the ability to believe that I could achieve a deeper study of myself, which is basically what yoga is all about. And that is also why Bruce Lee is my inspiration. I think every kid grew up watching him. His speed, wit, and skill were so cool to watch, he always knew how to outsmart his opponent. He inspires me to be the best version of myself and I hope this post inspires you too.

I love to add masculinity to an already edgy piece. I like to mix textures as well, suede boots, with a strong knit sweater are a winter-ready staples. The shorts were something I felt inspired by so I had to add that cool element to the look. I see that fashion has become really multi-dimensional in that people are going for comfort and elegance simultaneously. Truthfully, people want to feel relaxed but appealing. Winter is the perfect season for that.

Shorts: Muay Thai Factory

Boots: Public Desire