Kerala is well known for most of its tourist destinations and also recently,the lesser known areas in Kerala have come to the forefront. There is so much that one could explore here and they include backwaters, beaches, hills and mountains, waterfalls, lakes and lagoons, canals, cities and villages. The sky is the limit in Kerala. Most people also go here because of the spiritual centers that are available. There are many places especially in the cities of Cochin and Trivandrum where you will find ashrams and retreats that focus on meditation, yoga and ayurveda. However, of late, a new feature of Kerala is starting to come to the limelight and that is its martial arts. It is one that is now being noticed world over. So what are the key features of Kerala martial arts? We will find out as follows in this article.
There are many forms of martial arts in the state of Kerala that is taught, but one of the primary ones is Kalaripayattu.
There is usually an expert at the center who will take up the task of teaching this to you. And it is indeed an art because of the grace and the precision that is commands. It carries a tradition that has been in existence for thousands of years and is known as a sport, a self defense technique and an art. Just like Yoga and meditation, it sharpens the mind, makes one alive and active and awakens a self consciousness that was earlier missing. One becomes aware of the self and the importance of taking of one’s body and also the powers that it holds inside it. It focuses on the 107 energy points that exist within the body that can be awakened and channelized to be of your benefit. It is also used to correct the flow of energies in the wrong direction. In the ancient times it was an art that made one not just a warrior but also made him a healer who could take care of others.
The training of most of the martial arts in Kerala will depend upon the kind of body form you possess. Everyone has their own body type and therefore the same techniques will not apply to everyone. Also each person will learn at their own pace. This means that one needs to assess one’s body type when going for such training. Some people send their kids for martial arts training as early as seven years of age. This is because they want their kids to grow up to become strong not only in their physique but also in their mind. That is the good thing about such martial arts not just in Kerala but in the entire country: that they benefit both the mind and the body. This is because of the yogic connections that they have in them. The three stages of Kalari training are Meythari, Kolthari and Ankathari. Some people even opt for these training sessions in order to improve dance techniques because it makes the body nimble.
