ABOUT ROOTS MUAY THAI
A Place to Grow Through Muay Thai
Roots Muay Thai Academy is an authentic Muay Thai academy in Barrie, Ontario, where students of all ages and experience levels come to learn, grow, and train with purpose.
Our Approach to Muay Thai
At Roots, we focus on teaching Muay Thai with proper structure, strong fundamentals, and respect for its cultural origins.
We emphasize, technical development over shortcuts, long-term growth over quick results, and respect for tradition and our training partners
Every student is encouraged to progress at their own pace, while being guided through a clear and structured training path.
Our Values
Unity
We train together and support one another. Community matters here.
Respect
Respect for Muay Thai, for training partners, and for the space we share.
Resilience
Training builds more than strength. It builds confidence, discipline, and the ability to keep showing up.
What Training at Roots Feels Like
Training at Roots is structured, supportive, and built on mutual respect. Whether you're attending your first class or preparing for competition, every student shares the same space, learns together, and helps one another grow.
Our Coaches & Standards
At Roots Muay Thai Academy, we believe in doing things the right way, with proper structure, respect for Muay Thai tradition, and recognized standards of instruction.
Our instructors and gym are certified through Muay Thai Ontario, the Nai Khanomtom Association, and are deeply honored to be Siam1 Affiliates under the lineage of Ajahn Suchart. This includes formal coaching and cornering certifications, ensuring that both training and competition support are delivered safely and to a high standard.
Kru Art
Owner & Head Instructor
Kru Art has spent over 12 years in Muay Thai as both an athlete and coach, building his understanding of the art through years of real training, competition, and corner work. In Muay Thai, a Kru is a respected teacher and custodian of the art, someone entrusted not just with techniques, but with responsibility.
Kru Art holds this title through recognized certification under Muay Thai Ontario and the Nai Khanomtom Association, within the lineage of Ajahn Suchart. What sets Kru Art apart is his approach on the mats. He doesn’t rush students, and he doesn’t believe in shortcuts. Every athlete is developed properly, with patience, structure, and attention to detail. Whether someone is brand new or preparing for competition, he treats their development with the same seriousness he would give a fighter’s camp.
He is known for his deep passion for Muay Thai, always breaking things down, refining details, and helping students truly understand what they are doing, not just copying movements. His knowledge of the art and genuine love for teaching is something students quickly recognize and respect. Most importantly, he is a present instructor. He is on the mats, engaged, and invested in every person’s progress.
Students don’t just train under him, they grow under him, and many stay because they feel the difference in how much care and attention goes into their development.
PC Kru Cait
"Poo Choi Kru"
Assistant Instructor & Women's Muay Thai Lead Instructor
PC Kru Cait has 3 years of experience in Muay Thai as both an amateur athlete and developing instructor. That time includes earning Blue Shorts through consistent training, competition, and dedication to the art, and later progressing into PC Kru certification through Muay Thai Ontario and the Nai Khanomtom Association, under the lineage of Ajahn Suchart.
PC Cait oversees the kids program under the guidance of Kru Art, and is also the creator and lead of our ladies-only Muay Thai programs. Alongside Muay Thai, she holds a personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and during the day works as the Operation & Logistics Manager for Tease Wellness.
What stands out most is how the space feels when people train under her. Students feel guided, not rushed, and there is consistent attention to proper development rather than shortcuts. She is also deeply involved in giving back to the community, regularly running free Muay Thai classes every week, for women and girls throughout Simcoe County, helping make the art more accessible while building connection through training.
Our Standards
At Roots Muay Thai Academy, our standards are simple.
Educated, certified instructors with no shortcuts, continuous learning and development within the Muay Thai community, and proper safety requirements for everyone involved in the gym.
All instructors and volunteers hold recognized teaching, coaching and cornering certifications through Muay Thai Ontario, and continue to develop through active involvement in the sport.
For safety and accountability, all instructors and volunteers also complete annual Vulnerable Sector Checks and required background screening.
This is part of how we keep training structured, safe, and done the right way, for every student, every level, every time.
