I was looking for some lost literature I had read a while ago on an intense form of Kalaripayattu(Indian fighting system) called Kathina Yoga. My initial source of this info was kalariworld.com, which sadly doesn't exist anymore. A year ago I had communicated with the person in charge of the website, made some contacts through friends etc only to find the style Kathina Yoga isn't taught anymore by the Asan (Master) and he has taken up a job and moved. Now even the literature is gone, hopefully not lost. It pains me to see such rare, ancient art and wisdom in India is vanishing off due to the lack of proper platforms and sustenance means. Many other Kalari Schools are sustaining by doing stage shows and demonstrations in cultural fests, limiting it to a visual art perception, a far cry from what it is in reality. When you have movies made about it or references made here and there of its 'history', you know the art is dying. Thankfully of late the awareness is spreading and some schools have adopted it as a part of extra curricular activity albeit in a hybrid form.
Though I've trained in a few styles of martial arts in and outside of India, its always been my wish to learn what the world perceives as the source of various Asian martial art styles -Kalaripayattu. The fact that the training in weapons are done with actual weapons and no fakes, portrays its intensity and the level of focus it calls for. The salutation as such is poetic expression of the fighter's humility and simultaneously his commitment to fulfill his call for duty.
A mature martial artist makes sure he never start a fight, he only makes sure he ends it- in his own terms. It really doesn't matter what style you pursue, the art in the hands of a good Master is a journey of self realization and awareness for the student. It takes you to a point where your insecurities in mind vanish and when insecurity is gone, need to start a fight is gone. Finding fault in others when observed will always, yes ALWAYS go around the world only to lead to our own shortcomings and make us realize we are just projecting it on others, the ego never likes to lose. If a kid is introduced to a balanced martial philosophy early on, will always lead to a well balanced, confident adulthood. Forgiveness has no meaning for the weak minded and weak bodied, a weak minded person's cloak of escapism is forgiveness, its bad for the kids to get it wrong from early on. A good martial life will teach them to step up to the opponent, get to equal terms and then forgive, let go. This dimension to forgiveness is one of many invaluable lesson a martial life gives, Kalari's philosophy is built on compassion and forgiveness and gives clarity of thought when one is called for a warrior's duty.
Martial arts are not just jumping around, throwing kicks and punches, many so called dojos that produce 'complete rounded fighters' produce just that.... punching n kicking machines. There are skilled exponents and then there are skilled martial artists, there is a difference. I've met some extremely good masters and some shallow ones, for the benefit of those who might read this blog, I request to exercise caution and be as picky as you would be while selecting a school for education while picking a martial arts school. If the master is pompous remember 'nirai kudam talumbaadu'.
Martial art is not just self defense, it hones the attitude, mental alertness ,teaches us how to deal with pain, deal with defeat and triumph and teaches us to remain equanimous in and outside of the ring. Its like any sport but the mind body relation and interaction is even more intense and its effect on our other aspects of life becomes apparent in due course of time.
Martial arts teaches you life skills the other benefits are just add ons. If one goes with that attitude and reveres his Asan there will be irreversible, irrevocable benefits for life. Once a fighter in the ring, always a fighter outside of it.
As for Kathina Yoga, one of the search prompt took me to below results. Call it dark humor or anything this is the reality of today's world. At least I am sure Katrina in the title of this blog entry will attract some attention which normally is sparse...
Though I've trained in a few styles of martial arts in and outside of India, its always been my wish to learn what the world perceives as the source of various Asian martial art styles -Kalaripayattu. The fact that the training in weapons are done with actual weapons and no fakes, portrays its intensity and the level of focus it calls for. The salutation as such is poetic expression of the fighter's humility and simultaneously his commitment to fulfill his call for duty.
A mature martial artist makes sure he never start a fight, he only makes sure he ends it- in his own terms. It really doesn't matter what style you pursue, the art in the hands of a good Master is a journey of self realization and awareness for the student. It takes you to a point where your insecurities in mind vanish and when insecurity is gone, need to start a fight is gone. Finding fault in others when observed will always, yes ALWAYS go around the world only to lead to our own shortcomings and make us realize we are just projecting it on others, the ego never likes to lose. If a kid is introduced to a balanced martial philosophy early on, will always lead to a well balanced, confident adulthood. Forgiveness has no meaning for the weak minded and weak bodied, a weak minded person's cloak of escapism is forgiveness, its bad for the kids to get it wrong from early on. A good martial life will teach them to step up to the opponent, get to equal terms and then forgive, let go. This dimension to forgiveness is one of many invaluable lesson a martial life gives, Kalari's philosophy is built on compassion and forgiveness and gives clarity of thought when one is called for a warrior's duty.
Martial arts are not just jumping around, throwing kicks and punches, many so called dojos that produce 'complete rounded fighters' produce just that.... punching n kicking machines. There are skilled exponents and then there are skilled martial artists, there is a difference. I've met some extremely good masters and some shallow ones, for the benefit of those who might read this blog, I request to exercise caution and be as picky as you would be while selecting a school for education while picking a martial arts school. If the master is pompous remember 'nirai kudam talumbaadu'.
Martial art is not just self defense, it hones the attitude, mental alertness ,teaches us how to deal with pain, deal with defeat and triumph and teaches us to remain equanimous in and outside of the ring. Its like any sport but the mind body relation and interaction is even more intense and its effect on our other aspects of life becomes apparent in due course of time.
Martial arts teaches you life skills the other benefits are just add ons. If one goes with that attitude and reveres his Asan there will be irreversible, irrevocable benefits for life. Once a fighter in the ring, always a fighter outside of it.
As for Kathina Yoga, one of the search prompt took me to below results. Call it dark humor or anything this is the reality of today's world. At least I am sure Katrina in the title of this blog entry will attract some attention which normally is sparse...
