A BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE WAYS OF KALARI
Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art form, is offered to students who are 7 years and above. It includes impartation of attacking and defensive techniques and weapons training. Students are initiated and trained in accordance with tradition, and move through a series of stages depending upon their level of physical competence.
Meithari
Its sets the basis for all the trainings. Exercises, include positions, jumps and leaps, circular sequences, kicks, leg swings and various other forms of movement.
Kolthari
Kolthari features the use of various types of sticks – long, short, specially fabricated rounded and curved ones – and the student is taught to use them to attack as well as to defend.
Angathari
Angathari is the third stage in Kalaripayattu training where student learn to use sharp and lethal metal weapons such as the spear, bow, dagger etc.
Verumkai
Here, the student is required to fight armed, unarmed, or multiple opponents without using weapons. In this stage, bare hand techniques such as grips, kicks, strikes, blocks, attacks, throws, etc.
When I decided to learn Kalaripayattu I made the right choice of coming down to Kerala where this art originated. The transformation that happens physically and mentally when one practices kalaripayattu inside Kuzhikalari (traditional Kalari pit) is life changing.
Harsha Banthia
In consistently showing up for Kalari sessions I have noticed: a deeper sense of connection with my body and its needs, the ability to breath through those real life moments that feel just as challenging and as demanding as Kalaripayattu.
Kiran T
After pregnancy my body weight became a big roadblock in my dream to return to Indian team. Itwas my husband Jobin Joseph who introduced me to Atma Kalari which helped me to regain my stamina and strength and helped my comeback to the Indian team in a very helpful way. My experience is that Kalari has been very helpful in my athletic career.