2 Weeks Self Defense for Women Kalaripayattu Training Course in Wayanad, India

Facilities

This women’s fitness/self-defense course is based on the ancient wisdom of Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art native to Kerala and adapted to the modern living environment to create a proven method of self-defense. All skill levels are welcome but no prior knowledge of martial arts is required. Women of all ages can practice and may benefit from this course. The general daily routine will include two hours of training in the morning and two hours in the evening, but it will always be adapted to the individual student’s capabilities. Kalari Yoga will also be incorporated. To help with the muscle soreness and fatigue that will accompany any physical training, traditional Marma massage treatments are also available.

The training of self-defense, taken from tried and tested techniques of the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu will benefit the individual, his loved ones and eventually the entire society and then the world. A long journey begins with the first step!

Benefits of Kalaripayattu self-defense for women

• The best martial arts techniques are straightforward and practical, easy to learn and easy to incorporate in a dangerous situation. The use of martial arts weapons may be taught, such as short and long sticks, to help increase both the speed and strength of the techniques as well as creating more distance between the attacker and his intended target.
• Increased level of physical fitness. You will feel stronger in your body, which will impact all aspects of your life from having more energy for your work or your family as well as increasing your longevity. You will not only be alive but you will thrive!
• Increased confidence in your ability to protect yourself and loved ones' which will also impact all aspects of your daily life. You will carry yourself through the world differently. Not only will you feel strong but this feeling will be seen and felt by those around you. Most predators look for weak seeming individuals. Yes, they will look at your size but it is how you carry yourself that will usually be the deciding factor to attack you or not. Most of these men are cowards and bullies and are not used to being resisted and when they are they often will remove themselves from the situation
• Increased awareness of one’s surroundings and potential threats. Your ability to recognize and nuetralize a dangerous situation before it happens. You will be able to identify everday objects that you may also use as a martial arts weapon. So now you will not only have the tools, knowledge, and ability to avoid a threat, you shall feel confident in your ability to successfully defend yourself and your loved ones using your Kalari fight techniques - if there is no other choice but to defend yourself.

Daily schedule

There will be two training sessions per day:

• Morning - 07:00 to 09:00
• Evening - 18:00 to 20:30

The rest of the day is yours to do as you please - explore the farm and the surrounding village. All students are welcome to help with farm work should they wish to do so.

What is Kalaripayattu?

Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial arts form from India. The movements and exercises are based on the science of yoga and medical treatment is based on the science of Ayurveda.

Kalaripayattu is not only a system for martial arts alone but also a medium for prayer, meditation, personality, mind control, concentration, tact building, etc. Kalaripayattu has a different image than other martial arts forms in its warm system, practice, and treatment system. Complete dedication of body and mind, strict discipline and devotion are very essential for practicing Kalaripayattu. There is also a strong focus on "Gurushishya Bandam" (master-disciple relationship) in the Kalaripayattu system.

Kalaripayattu training

Kalarippayattu is one of the martial arts consisting of four major parts of training. Kolthari, Meithari, Angathari, Verumkai (freehand) are the main four sessions.

Meithari

In this session of Kalarippayattu, trainees use their hands and legs instead of weapons. In Meithari, the trainee practices with the legs in two different styles: Valmpiri and Edampiri. Also, they practice jumping styles such as Malarnnuchattam, Chavittipongal, and Thirinjuchattam. Students can obtain maximum physical fitness and flexibility by doing Nilavittumarichilukal and some other steps (Chuvadukal). It includes 12 different types of physical exercise.

Kolthari

In Kolthari session, the trainee learns to use wooden sticks with different lengths. Students use 9 chaan length stick in “Kettukari” and 3 chaan length stick in “Cheruvadi” for attacking and defending in Kolthari Fighting. “Otta” is elephant ivory shaped stick it’s also included in kolthari in the same way as in Kettukari and Cheruvadi.

Angathari

In this session, the trainee uses Sharp metal weapons like Kuntham (lance), Urumi, Sword, and different types of daggers for attacking and defending in Angathari session.

Verumkai

After Angathari (weapon session) well-trained disciples can use this technique to overcome an opponent without a weapon. Verumkai (freehand) includes Adi, Thadavu, Ozhivu, Pidutham, Poottu, Earu, Eduthadi and Marmma techniques.

The above explains the four Kalarippayattu training sessions that allow anyone to easily learn Kalaripayattu through different courses. Two hours practicing in the morning and two hours in the evening along with regular practitioners. While practicing in the Kalari yard, trainees can wear suitable sports clothing. At the time of practice, the trainees have to apply Kalari medicinal oil all over the body according to the Kalari training custom.

Kalaripayattu meditation

Meditation is of great importance in Kalaripayattu. It’s believed that through the disciplined Kalari training, it is possible to wake-up the Kundalini power within the spinal nervous system and the human body. To train ‘Meaipayattu’ and other weapon applications in Kalari requires much attention and concentration. So, each training session of Kalaripayattu becomes a meditation.

The completeness of the Kalaripayattu is meditation and spirituality. History records show that in preparation for war, Kalari warriors would spend long periods of time in meditation and follow a strictly vegetarian diet including certain days of fasting. As a result, the warrior had no fear of death.

In the ritual and spiritual traditions of Hinduism, chakra is used to denote any phenomenon which has a cyclical or circular motion or aspect to it. For example, it is used to describe the Wheel of Time (Kala Chakra), The Wheel of life (Jeevana Chakra), etc. All these are cyclical in nature.

In Svetasavtara Upanishad, the highest God Brahma himself is the Source of order and regularity or rhythm of things. Kram means order. Chakram donates the orderly progression of a thing or phenomenon.

Muladharam (the base chakra)

Muladharam, the base of the root chakra is related to security, Survival and basic human potentiality. The center is located in the region between the genitals and the anus, in the human body between 48 fingers top and bottom. This remains at the bottom of sushumna vain. A parallel is drawn between the sperm cell and the ovum, where the genetic code lies coiled, and the kundalini. Symbolized by a lotus with four petals and four letters such as “Va, Sa, Sha, sa”. The power of Lord Shakthi, Shiva and Ganapathi exist here.

Swathishtanam (the sacral chakra)

Swathishtanam or the sacral chakra is located in the groin, and is related to emotion, sexuality, and creativity. It is located four fingers above Mooladharam and below Anahatha Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with six petals and six letters such as “Bha, Ba, Ma, Ga, Ra, La”. Lord Bhrahma, Bharathi, and Shuklavahini vain also exist here.

Manipurakam (the solar plexus chakra)

Manipuraka Chakra or Solar Plexus chakra is related to metabolism, energy, assimilation, and digestion. This Chakra is located ten and a half fingers above the Swathishtana Chakra. It is symbolized by a lotus with ten petals and ten letters such as “Da, Dda, Nna, Ta, Da, Dtha, Dha, Na, Pa, Pha”. Lord Maha Vishnu with Lakshmi Devi exists here.

Anahatham (the heart chakra)

Anahatham or heart chakra is related to love, equilibrium, and well-being and acts as the source of emotional intelligence. The Anahatha Chakra is located in the chest, 14 fingers above the Manipuraka Chakra. It is symbolized by a lotus with twelve petals and twelve letters such as “ka, kha, ga, gha, nga, cha, ccha, ja,jha, nja, da, ta”. 10,000 of Pithrukkal, seven corer Bhuthanganagal, eight corer Dikpalakar and 1000 corer Rishi's exists here.

Visudhi chakra (the throat chakra)

Vishudhi Chakra or The Throat Chakra is the source of scared speech and related to communication and growth, growth being a form of expression. This Chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat. The Vishudhi Chakra is located six fingers above Anahatha chakra. It is symbolized by a lotus with 14 petals with 14 letters such as “A, Aa, E, Ee, U, Uu, ER, Ea, Ai, O, Ou, Am, Aah”. Supreme sound, life, Lord of music Saraswathi is placed in this Chakra.

Ajna chakra (the third eye chakra)

Ajna or the third eye chakra is the source of intuitive or psychic knowledge and linked to the pineal gland. Ajna is the Chakra of time and awareness of light. The Ajna Chakra is located 9 fingers above the Vishudhi Chakra. It is symbolized by a lotus with two petals and two letters such as “Ha, La”. Lord Shiva exists here.

Sahasraram (the crown chakra)

Sahasraram or the Crown Chakra is the source of highest intelligence (Prajnanam). It is located at the tip or crown of the head, 2 fingers above ajna chakra. It is said to be the chakra of pure consciousness, the master chakra that controls all the others, and destination of rising Kundalini whereupon one enters the state of Samadhi or unified consciousness without the distinction of subject and object. Symbolized by a lotus with a thousand petal and the letter “Ksha”. Omnipotent God exists here with supreme power. So, the human body exists as a temple. The Kalari meditation aims to awaken such power centers in the body. Also, meditation can help you get rid of mental tension and fear.

Kalari massage

Kalari massage is a traditional massage, using hands and feet by applying appropriate pressure on the vital part of the human body. It’s a full body massage with medicated oil to stimulate the Marmma points on the body. It’s not only good for blood circulation but also a renewal of cells and removal of toxic waste too. Kalari Massage relieves various aches like back pain, stiffness, dislocations, injuries and also stimulate various body organs and systems.

Kalari massage is originated in northern Kerala as a scientific system to strengthen a warrior physically and mentally in order to face any kind of difficulties. This massage with herbal oils is applied according to a person’s body structure and nerve points in order to enhance mind-strength, joy, physical capability, health and flexibility of muscles by stimulating nerves and nerve points with herbal oils. This ancient system of Kalari Massage passed on through generations is still perfectly used in kadathanadan kalari.

Chronicles of Kadathanadan Kalari Sangam

Kadathanadan Kalari Sangam was established on 1949 at Vadakara, Kerala. The sangam was established by Sri V. Sreenivasan Gurukkal, Raghavan Gurukkal, Dhamu Gurukkal, Valappil Karunan Gurukkal. V. Sreenivasan Gurukkal reached in Wayanad in the year of 1962. He started Kadathanadan kalari sangam various areas in Wayanad.

M.A Vijayan Gurukkal was a pioneer in the field of Kalarippayattu in Wayanad. He learned martial arts under the guidance of Sreenivasan Gurukkal who hails from Vadakara. He was also trained by eminent trainers such as V.P Rakhavan Gurukkal and Valappil Karunan Gurukkal. He became a martial art trainer in the year of 1977 and established Kadathanadan Kalarisangam in the year of 2000 at Kammana.

K.F Thomas Gurukkal is the Chief Trainer and proprietor of Kadathanadan kalari sangam. He was trained by M.A Vijayan Gurukkal, the founder of the Sangam. He also learned a martial art from various teachers such as Sri V. Sreenivasan Gurukkal, V.P Rakhavan Gurukkal Vadakara, Sajeevan Gurukkal. He also went all the way to Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu to learn Kalarippayattu from Mani Gurukkal.

C.K.Sreejith Gurukkal, T.N. Nishad Gurukkal, M.S. Ganeesh Gurukkal, E.A. Anoop Gurukkal are the present Trainers of Kadathanadan kalari sangam. those are trained by K.F Thomas Gurukkal the Chief Trainer of the Kadathanadan Kalari Sangam.

The school is situated on a small organic farm outside in Kerala's Wayanad District. The farm grows a huge variety of fruits and vegetables, all of which are consumed on site. Nearby attractions include the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding jungle and the Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary.

All food served will consist of healthy nutritious meals cooked in a traditional South Indian way. Vegetables are mostly used fresh from the school's own organic farm. Ayurvedic boiled water will be served at all times when required. Coffee is provided from coffee beans grown on the farm.

• Visit local villages nearby
• Help with farming and care of animals
• Horse riding
• Explore the spice farm

• 2 daily Kalaripayattu training
• 13 nights accommodation
• Food
• Wi-Fi
• Airport pickup
• Medicinal drinking water

• Toiletries
• Tourism expenses and ticket fees
• Air ticket

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.