Kizhi treatment uses small cloth bundles filled with herbs, powders or rice. The bundles are heated, then pressed and tapped on the body in a steady rhythm. It is also called Kizhi massage, herbal bundle therapy or herbal bolus therapy.
Kizhi is one of the main Kalari therapies at Athma Kalari. It is used for stiffness, joint and muscle pain, and recovery from strain. It often follows Uzhichil, the Kalari oil massage, in the same session.
This guide explains the 3 types we use, what a session is like, how many days a course runs, and who should avoid it.
What is a kizhi?
In Malayalam, kizhi means a small bundle. The therapist ties the filling inside a square of cotton cloth to make a ball with a short handle at the top. Usually 2 bundles are used at the same time, one in each hand.
The bundles are warmed in a pan, then pressed on the body. They cool quickly, so the therapist warms them again and again. Before each touch, the therapist checks the heat so that it is warm but never burning.
Heat and gentle pressure work together. The heat helps tight muscles relax, and the warm herbs and oil are pressed into the skin. That is why Kizhi is often used for stiff joints and sore muscles.
The 3 types of Kizhi at Athma Kalari
| Type | What is inside | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Ela Kizhi (leaf bundle) | Medicinal leaves, warmed with oil | Joint and muscle pain, stiffness, sprains, back and neck pain |
| Podi Kizhi (powder bundle) | Herbal powders | Stiff, swollen or heavy joints and muscles |
| Njavara Kizhi (rice bundle) | Njavara rice cooked in milk and herbs | Weak or tired muscles and building strength back after illness or injury |
Njavara is a traditional rice of Kerala. Elakizhi and podikizhi are often written as one word, and you may see Njavarakizhi too. Ashan Vipin Das chooses the type after the consultation, based on your body and the problem.
A Kizhi session, step by step
- Consultation. Before your first session, Ashan Vipin Das asks about your history, examines the problem area and reads your pulse. He has 29 years of Kalari practice. Nothing is prescribed before this.
- Oil. Warm medicated oil is applied to the body, usually as part of Uzhichil.
- Heating the bundles. The bundles are warmed in a pan of oil or, for Njavara Kizhi, in the warm milk and herb mixture.
- Tapping and pressing. The therapist taps and presses the warm bundles on the body in a steady rhythm, sometimes in small circles. The whole body may be treated, or one area such as the lower back, a knee or a shoulder.
- Local steam, if prescribed. Nadi Swedanam may follow on the same area.
- Rest. You lie still for a few minutes before you get up slowly.
In the training packages, a session is 75 minutes. Wear old clothes on treatment days, because medicated oil does not wash out easily.
The role of Nadi Swedanam
Nadi Swedanam is local steam. Warm herbal steam is sent through a tube to one part of the body, such as the lower back, a knee or a shoulder. It is used to warm and loosen a stiff area.
With Kizhi, it adds gentle, moist heat to the same place. In the packages, steam is given on alternate days or on set days, not every day.
How many days?
Kizhi is usually given daily over several days, because oil and heat therapies build up. One session is rarely enough.
- A tired body might need 3 days.
- A disc problem or an old sports injury usually needs 7 to 21 days of daily treatment.
Ashan Vipin Das tells you the length of your course after the consultation.
Who should avoid Kizhi
Kizhi uses heat and pressure, so it is not right for everyone. See a doctor first if you have:
- a recent fracture
- severe or sudden pain
- numbness in an arm, leg, hand or foot
- fever
- pregnancy
- recent surgery
Kizhi is not used on open wounds, burns, rashes or infected skin, or on a fresh injury that is hot and swollen. If you have diabetes or poor feeling in your skin, say so, because you may not feel when something is too hot. Tell Ashan Vipin Das about heart problems, high blood pressure, varicose veins, or any allergy to milk, before Njavara Kizhi.
Kizhi can help ease pain and stiffness. It is not a replacement for medical care.
Kizhi in the packages
Treatments are not included in training program prices. If you are on one of the residential Kalari programs, these packages fit around the twice-daily classes. Each session is 75 minutes.
| Package | Days | What is included | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relax | 3 | Daily Uzhichil and Kizhi, steam on alternate days | ₹6,800 |
| Destress | 5 | Daily Uzhichil, Dhara on 3 days, Kizhi on 2, steam on 2 | ₹11,500 |
| Kalari Conditioning | 7 | Daily Uzhichil and Kizhi, steam on alternate days, 1 traction session | ₹15,400 |
Kalari Conditioning suits students who want to support their body through a longer stay of hard training.
Kizhi is also part of the rejuvenation packages: 3, 7 or 10 days of Uzhichil, Kizhi and herbal steam, from ₹6,900. These are for people who are tired but have no particular injury, and you do not need to train. Rooms are booked separately.
For a specific problem, such as joint pain, Kizhi is part of a plan made after the consultation. The cost depends on the plan, so message us for a price. You can see how Kizhi fits with the other 11 therapies on our Kalari therapies page.
Kizhi is also one of the treatments taught in the Advanced Teacher Training at Athma Kalari.
FAQs
Q: What is Kizhi treatment?
A: It is a Kerala therapy that uses heated cloth bundles of leaves, powders or rice. The bundles are tapped and pressed on the body to ease pain and stiffness.
Q: What is the difference between Elakizhi, Podikizhi and Njavarakizhi?
A: Ela Kizhi uses leaves, Podi Kizhi uses herbal powders, and Njavara Kizhi uses rice cooked in milk and herbs. Each is used for different needs.
Q: Is Kizhi massage painful?
A: No. It is firm and warm, not painful. Tell the therapist if a bundle feels too hot.
Q: How many days of Kizhi do I need?
A: A tired body might need 3 days. A disc problem or an old sports injury usually needs 7 to 21 days of daily treatment.
Q: Can I have Kizhi without training?
A: Yes. You do not need to be a Kalari student. Female therapists treat women.
Kizhi at Athma Kalari
If you are tired and stiff with no particular injury, the easiest way to try Kizhi is a rejuvenation package. See the Kalari massage and rejuvenation packages for what each one includes. For the oil massage that comes before Kizhi, read our guide to Kalari massage in Kerala.
