Elephant pose (Training system of Kalaripayattu)

The exercises include a vast series of poses, steps, jumps, kicks and leg exercises. Most important is mastery of basic poses and leg exercises. Basic poses (vadivu) consists of animal poses with steps by which one moves to and from poses. Leg exercises are powerful and dynamic forms using legs as flexible as a band, and superior balance is required.

First, I introduce one of basic poses; elephant pose (gaja vadivu).

Elephant pose (Gaja Vadivu)

it represents the stability and dynamism of the elephant. it also allows the body to make a fluid movement keeping low posture(shortest posture possible for defence).

 

Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu is the Kerala region's martial/ medical art. This martial art has a long history, and it has the unique system of treatment and massage based on marma point(vital point), which is closely associated with Ayurveda (indian traditional medicine). Utilizing my own experience of kalaripayattu practice in kerala and studying Ayurveda in India and U.S.A so far, I want to write something about this ancient culture.

"kalaripayattu" is Malayalam (local language) consisting of two words "kalari" and "payattu". "kalari" literally means exercise area or arena. "payattu" means training exercise with and without weapons. Kalaripayattu has the whole body of knowledge, not only martial art practices but also beliefs related to traditional body-oriented life-care practices.

Kalari altar, inside kalari at the C.V.N.Kalari, Kozhikode

Kalari is a center for training, considered a sacred place, the home of the guardian deities including the godness Shiva and Shakti.