Kalari treatment, marma therapy and herbal oil massage comprising the traditional systems related to Kalarippayttu offer preventive as well as curative and rehabilitative treatments. And they are cost-effective, too.
Kalari treatment is quite traditional and holistic, and is associated with war-fare training and uses natural therapeutic systems. It uses herbs for the preparation of medicine in the traditional way.
"Sharira Madhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam" (Physical body is the medium for the righteous action): That body is the prime instrument for discharging virtuous duties is undoubted. For fitness, a person requires strength and stamina, auto reflex, flexibility, motor skill, confidence and courage, attention, anticipation and stimulation, development of pranic energy, spiritual base and mental ability. All these qualities are attainable by daily training of kalarippayattu which stimulates the body and the mind. In fact, kalarippayattu is yoga in action that gives internal and external strength together with utmost vigour.
One is imparted preliminary kalarippayttu training based on the condition of one’s body. This involves the lessons in avoiding injures such as tearing of muscles, stretching of ligaments and dislocation of knees and ankles. It works in three ways; physical, mental and spiritual and therapeutic rehabilitation. A physical training system at the basic level involves meyppayattu (basic body flexible techniques with defensive and offensive movements incorporated with stances, basic steps, rotations with principles of offences and defences, holds and locks and uzhichil which is herbal oil massage.
Marma treatment: Kalari gurus give much importance to the marma treatment by administering herbal medicine and massage therapy for sudden relief and rehabilitation of the injured.
Massage: Foot massage or samvahanam is best for muscles, blood circulation and skin. It bestows pleasantness, good sleep and stimulates nervous system and muscles. Kalaripayattu covers all the criteria of health defined by old treatment texts of India as well as World Health Organisation because it ensures health from physical, mental, spiritual and social points of view.
Kalarippayattu and sports injuries: Sports injuries occur mainly due to three reasons: lack of proper preconditioning of the body, tightening of body parts due to less capability and flexibility and due to trauma. The first two scenarios can be avoided to the maximum by way of kalarippayattu training since body develops flexibility and auto reflex along with strength and stamina. Basic steps of kalarippayattu help in keeping away stiffness of body. With body movements performed with ease and comfort, the danger of dislocation and muscle tear can be reduced considerably. Herbal oil massage keeps the body flexible, vibrant and good to perform any type of sporting event with confidence.
It is also important to mention that activating the marma points give an impetus for a sports person in all his activities. Kalari practices, especially maypayattu, chuvadukal, holds and locks, jumps and throws contribute more in motor skill and endurance. It also offers protection to the body and strength to the mind. So Kalaripppayattu should be practiced by each sports person as basic training.
Kalaripayyattu training is effective in track and field events. In sprint, one needs powerful start, powerful finish and power running in between. The high kick in kalarippayttu is exactly what is done in high jump and pole vault. The horizontal jumps are also practiced in kalari. Chuvadu or movement of feet helps in discuss or a hammer throw.
Fencing: It is a fact that fencing is a refined form of single sword fight, sword and shield of kalarippayattu. An Indian fencing team was formed in 1992 with kalaripayattu students and Manipuri martial arts students.
Wrestling, Boxing, gymnastics and diving: The locks and resistance, the foot grips, rotation and movements… all have resemblance to kalari techniques. Kalaripayattu movements and footwork stances are borrowed from the offensive and defensive techniques of animals like Simhavadivu – lion stance, Marjaravadivu – cat stance, kukkudavadivu – cock stance, gajavadivu – elephant stance, aswavadivu – horse stance, varahavadivu – pig stance, sarpavadivu – snake stance, matsya vadivu – fish stance.
Kalarippayattu is not only a sporting event but also a way of life. The various methods of treatment available in kalarippayttu are so amazing that these need to be experienced.
Kalarippayttu training is also vital for creating youth who are physically strong, mentally fit and intellectually sharp and alert.
(The author, a kalari master and physician, is the secretary-general of Indian Kalarippyattu Federation)
