Sports Kalaripayattu

Owning a legacy of more than 3000 years, Kalaripayattu was used both in warfare & Marma chikilsa for the well-being of subjects. Later, Kalaripayattu transformed into various formats of Arts, Sports, Self-defense, and Marmmachikilsa, promoting its glory & gradually phasing into international standards. Presently, Kalaripayattu is used as a benchmark of skill development & accentuated as a ‘Sport activity’ at State, National & International levels without compromising its traditional legacy.

Importance of Kalari Training in Sports and Games

The muscles of the legs are the largest and most powerful in the entire body. In all games and sports, the legs play an important role. An athlete, volleyball player, golfer, discus thrower, shot-putter, and boxer all begin their respective movements with a powerful leg drive. The legs have another quality besides great strength—they are also capable of great endurance. They are capable of moving up to a ton of weight; the legs are also designed to carry long distances without tiring. A person with good condition of the legs can walk for weeks through terrain and run for 100 km. No other muscle of the body can deliver this quality of great strength and great endurance.

The muscles of the thigh—quadriceps, hamstring, adductors—and the muscles of the lower leg—gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus and brevis—are the most massive and important muscle group in the body and proportionately constitute almost half of the physique. Therefore, training the legs for games and sports is so demanding that conditioning is an important factor.

To condition the legs, the ‘Ankasadakam’ of Kalaripayattu is more efficient. Lifting and swinging the legs in different directions strengthens the leg muscles. Rigorous leg training helps for leg endurance and flexibility. Leg training also helps to control the body on the ground.
Pakarchakal or jumping exercises help to lift the body from the ground, which is more important for jumpers. It enables them to control the body on the ground as well as in the air. Jumping exercises help them to practice hang style, high kick, western roll, and Fosbury easily.

Maippayattu or body control training is considered complete training for the body and mind. It is derived from the movement of animals; lots of dynamic movements are included in the training. Head to the foot of the body is working with internal organs while doing Maippayattu. The training is mostly concentrated on the spine of the body. So training stimulates all parts of the body, which enables a trainer to attain lots of qualities:

Health and Exercises

Health is the greatest wealth and asset for you. Without good health and strength, you cannot achieve success in life and God-realization. Without good health, you cannot enjoy life. Good health comes from following definite rules. Those who ignore the causes of health suffer much and meet death.

What is the precious thing that makes life worth living? It is health. Will you sing today the song of “SARIRAMADYAM KHALU DHARMA-SADHHANAM” – the body is indeed the foremost essential thing for the attainment of the goal of human existence.

Charaka Samhita says: “DHARMATHA-KAMA-MOKSHANAM AROGYAM MOOLAMUTTAMAM; ROGASTASYA-APAAHARTARAH SREYASO JIVITASYA CHA” – health is the best cause of virtue, wealth, desire, and emancipation and is the blessedness of life. Diseases are the destroyers of health, prosperity, and life.

The laws for the preservation of health should receive your foremost and first consideration. The laws of health and the laws of nature cannot be violated with impunity. Those who neglect these laws become victims to incurable diseases and drag a cheerless existence.

The world needs good healthy boys and girls and strong men and women. What do we find these days in India? India, the land which produced Bhishma, Bhima, Arjuna, Drona, Aswathamma, Kripa, Parasurama, and countless other chivalrous warriors, the soil which contained numberless chiefs of undaunted intrepidity, unparalleled chivalry, and matchless strength, now abounds in effeminate impotent weaklings. Children beget children.