Our experienced practitioners utilize ancient wisdom to provide personalized treatments that rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. Embrace natural healing and embark on a journey to achieve balance and harmony in your life.
Our History
Kalaripayattu or Kalari is an age-old traditional martial art form that originated from the coastal Indian Southern state of Kerala. Developed by sage Agastya, the Southern Kalaripayattu emphasises combat skills, footwork, striking at vital points and using specialised weaponry.
We at Kerala Yogashala pride ourselves in teaching this ancient form of Kalaripayattu traditionally. Also, we have the requisite infrastructure and training facilities where students can further hone their martial arts skills by using advanced weaponry and other combative skills while balancing their body and minds with our holistic yogic approach of yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation retreats.
Traditionally, training in Kalaripayattu is divided into the following levels.
This is the foremost stage in Kalari training and includes body control exercises such as stances, jumps, movements and turns. Attributes like balance, stamina and flexibility are the desired outcomes of this practice stage.
As students become adept in using wooden weapons, they now proceed to train with metal weapons which are lethal and require superior levels of focus and precision. Some of the metal weapons taught are the dagger or Kadara, Sword-Shield or Valum Parichayum and fencing sword or Udaval.
As students become physically fit and agile, they are then introduced to combat using wooden weapons. These weapons used traditionally are called Kettukari (long staff), Muchan or Cheruvadi (short staff) and the Otta or a curved stick.
Kalari experts at Kerala Yogashala predominantly focus on the Southern Kalari style of martial arts training. We at Kerala Yogashala view this ancient art form as a complete body-mind system-oriented therapy that emphasises the development and expansion of senses.
We also inculcate Kalari yoga which is a holistic approach to enhancing health and well-being by combining meditation, pranayama, slow-paced Kalari martial forms and the traditional Hatha asanas. This enables a traditional yet an all round dynamic practice.
Our Kalari classes have a holistic yet traditional approach and includes :
Kalari can be practised by almost anyone. But, this art form is especially suitable for yogis, martial arts practitioners, dancers, actors and such other people. Overall, the Kalari art form entails benefits for the body and the mind.
Kalaripayattu is about fast, dynamic movements that result in enhanced reflexes, an increased sense of balance and self-confidence.
Regular practice of this ancient art form results in improving flexibility and range of motion. It improves breathing patterns, focus and discipline while supporting the nervous system.
Improves your endurance and stamina. Also, the movements involved support body cleansing and detoxification processes. Sustained practice corrects spinal posture, and improves metabolism while filling you with energy and vitality.
If you are looking to develop the discipline of your body and mind while honing combative and non-combative forms of Kalari-this is for you.
Kerala Yogashala believes in a holistic approach towards mastering Kalaripayattu. From time-to-time, our yoga school conducts retreat programs that include daily classes of Kalaripayattu. We have also included Ayurvedic philosophy and cooking sessions along with meditation and philosophy discussions.
Students can avail of traditional Kalari Ayurvedic massage that only works to complement their training.
In these daily classes, you will learn :
You will get ample free time, post your meals and after completion of your Kalaripayattu training. Stroll at the beaches of Varkala during your free time. Also, don’t forget to explore the verdant countryside of Kerala as you conclude this highly rewarding Kalari retreat at Kerala Yogashala.
