Let’s get to the kalari kickouts

  #Kalari 105

Let’s get to the kalari kickouts

(Kalidas Sreenivas)

 This amazing martial art was created in an area of the world renowned for its magical and mythical past. This original blending of performing, visual, and intellectual arts originated in India. The Kalaripayattu martial art integrates yogic strength, improved posture, and Ayurvedic medical procedures. It also calls for weapons, as well as the skill to use them, and motions that are fluid like water.

The traditional martial technique of Kalaripayattu mixes yogic strength and postural refinement, as demonstrated in kalarippayattu paintings. Additionally, Kalaripayattu's therapeutic methods are supported by Ayurvedic medical traditions.

It is said that the "Dhanur Veda" is where the practice of Kalaripayattu first appeared. The Dhanur Veda is an old Indian literature that consists of all the traditional fighting skills and is known as the "science of archery." The emphasis in the Dhanur Veda writings is on learning martial arts, not on tactics for the battlefield.

In Kalaripayattu, there are 4 types of strong kicks or Leg Raising Methods:

1. Ner Kaal 

The fundamental components for this Kalaripayattu leg training are flexibility and strength. One of the fundamental kicks in Kalaripayattu training is the straight swing (ner kaal), where ner stands for straight and kal stands for leg. As the training for Kalaripayattu begins, this is the first exercise.

 2. Kon Kaal

Another effective Kalaripayattu martial arts kick is the kon kaal, often known as the corner leg or the diagonal swing. Akom kaal, or an inward press, is the name of the kon kaal transition.

 3. Veethu Kaal

Another excellent kick in the kalaripayattu training is veethu kaal. The inside-out round kick is the term used to describe it.

4. Tirichu Kaal

The advanced Kalaripayattu kick known as Tirichu Kaal combines a straight swing with twists.

What other kinds of cultural expression, with the elegance and beauty of a dancer, can create art of peace via battle and a reward of self-improvement through the godlike transcending of one's physical limitations? What other kinds of expression make the claim to be able to damage and heal or cure and kill with the same hand's opposing sides?

Your journey might become a pilgrimage if you go to Kerala to learn more about Kalaripayattu, the oldest, most revered, and most beautiful of fighting styles.

The origin of healing lies within the heart of the warrior

 #Kalari 104

The origin of  healing lies within the heart of the warrior

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

One of the most important aspects of martial arts, which goes beyond just kicking, punching, and stabbing, is learning to use the body in every way possible. Due to the kalaripayattu images, many historians believe that kalaripayattu martial arts are the genesis of all martial arts. As seen in kalaripayattu images, the traditional martial art of Kalaripayattu integrates yogic power and posture refinement, and its Ayurvedic medical practices support its healing techniques.

Even in the contemporary world, Kalaripayattu is unaffected, and the country's colonial rulers were unable to completely prohibit it. Because it is a full way of life rather than just a traditional martial art, this Indian original art will never become obsolete. A comprehensive, in-depth therapeutic branch of Ayurveda is connected to Kalari, further enhancing its uniqueness. It consists of body massages and critical point treatments that are not just for martial artists but are for everyone's overall health. A sound mind and a sound body work together to form the basis of the Kalaripayattu training method and its application techniques.

 The practice of kalaripayattu training aids in improving one's unarmed self-defense skills, mental toughness, muscle tone, conditioning of the body, stamina, immune system strength, and concentration and self-control. It also aids in bettering posture and blood circulation. Both performers and sportsmen can benefit from kalaripayattu since it broadens a dancer's repertoire and improves their flexibility and agility.

It also helps with stress management, and the breathing exercises strengthen the lungs. The principles stated in the scriptures serve as the foundation for every part of the kalaripayattu martial arts system. The Kalari was created using Vaastu Shastra concepts (arena). Currently, this Art Form is taught in more than a thousand Kalaris.

Conclusion

Kalaripayattu training, or the martial art style of Kerala, is a fast growing way for complete mind-body-soul salvation. The emphasis of Kalaripayattu training and the Kerala Kalari fight has changed from learning how to fight to learning how to control one's body-mind to become their ideal selves. Here is a summary of kalaripayattu's advantages to assist you comprehend why mastering this kind of Indian martial arts is so important. 

Level-up to the ancient history of modern combat.

 #Kalari 103

 Level-up to the ancient history of modern combat.

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

A crucial part of Keralan life between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries was Kalaripayattu. All kids above the age of seven have to take the Kalaripayattu program. It is stated that "Payattu" refers to instruction and "Kalari" refers to formal education. In Kalaripayattu, chuvadu and vadivu methods are combined. Chuvadu refers to the foundations of the martial art, whereas Vadivu refers to the postures. These postures are based on those of animals that are used for combat.

What are the various levels of Kalaripayattu training?

1. Body Control Exercises with Meithari

The first stage of practicing the Kalaripayattu martial arts is known as "Meithari" or "Mei Payattu." It is the initial stage, requiring physically demanding motions such leg exercises, twists, stances, and challenging jumps and rotations. It lists the skills required to advance throughout the whole Kalaripayattu system. Students learn their initial body motions during mei payattu, which helps them become more flexible.

2. Wooden Weapon Practice in Kolthari

Kolthari is the next stage, where pupils begin to learn how to fight. Once they are physically capable, they are introduced to using long wooden weapons in combat. Through the use of a range of sticks, including long, short, and especially crafted rounded and curved ones, students in the Kolthari system learn combat techniques, including the usage of sticks. These sticks are used by the pupil to both attack and protect.

3. Practice with Metal Weapons in Angathari

On the following level, weapons like the Vaal, Paricha Urmi, and others are used. When students have demonstrated their capacity to control and govern their body and mind throughout Meithari and Kolthari, the third level of Kalaripayattu instruction—known as Angathari—is made available to them. The angathari includes the use of a sword and shield, a spear, an urumi, and a dagger. Having learned Meithari and Kolthari, a learner may easily study Angathari. As a result, there is also a notable reduction in the risk of incurring serious injuries.

4. Verumkai -Bare Hand Technique

Verumkai literally translates to "bare hands." With Verumkai, the Kalaripayattu training process comes to a close. The training at this level includes instruction in grips, kicks, strikes, blocks, assaults, throws, and other bare hand maneuvers. Very advanced hand-eye coordination skills are necessary. Verumkai teaches people how to use their own bodies as weapons to physically dominate an adversary and protect themselves against both armed and unarmed attackers.

“Observaciones finales”

Instead of just going to the gym, master the Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu to become a better and wiser warrior in life. What other cultural expressions can simultaneously create an art of peace through conflict and a reward for one's growth via a divine awareness of one's physical limitations? Only Kalaripayattu can do this. Since most health and fitness buffs and sports celebrities are interested in doing something extremely different from the rest of the field in sports, kalaripayattu training keeps them in shape, strengthens them for the game, and enables them to live a healthier lifestyle.

How is Kalari & Marma Chikitsa related?

  #Kalari 102

(M.S.Divyasri)

How is Kalari & Marma Chikitsa related?

The Indian martial art Kalaripayattu also teaches how to use oil massage as a kind of healing. It has been transmitted through both Atharvaveda and uzhichil. It's a martial art with applications in both combat and medicine.

Kalaripayattu is also known as the “Mother of all Martial Arts" as the saying goes. Chinese Kenpo was the name given to this technique when it was transported to China, and Karate was the name given to it when it arrived in Okinawa, Japan. Many people agree that it is the earliest martial art to have ever existed.

Marmashastra, often known as the science of Marmas, is an ayurvedic therapy for healing and rejuvenation, is a subset of Shalyatantra, one of the eight divisions of Ayurveda. The Marmashastra has been extensively written about by ancient masters like Sushruta and Sage Agastya. 

After pupils have received adequate instruction in Angathari, or armed combat, this science, which is highly important to Kalaripayattu training, is taught alongside Verumkai prayogam, or unarmed combat. The learner is introduced to the motions and stances of unarmed combat only after receiving training in fighting with all types of weapons. The asan maintains that Marmavidya, or knowledge of the marmas, should only be employed as a last resort to beat an adversary.

Body marma’s also vary within traditions. According to the southern tradition the human body has 108 marmas whereas in northern tradition the human body has 107 marmas. The body's marmas are not visible from the outside. 

The great masters have authored multiple volumes that describe the effects of any injury to each of the marmas in great detail. All the marmas have been given unique names.

During training, injuries to the students—whether brought on by hands, legs, or weapons—are not uncommon. Treatment that is prompt and appropriate is crucial in these circumstances. As a result, learning Marmachikitsa is just as crucial as learning all other combat stances and moves. These include Uzhichil, Pizhichil, Shirodhara, Kadivasti, Urovasti, and other similar methods.