Kalari Marma Ayurveda Chikitsa
Kalari–Marma–Chikilsa is a Traditional treatment / Alternative medicine method, which is practiced in Kerala, India. This is actually a blend of Kalari, Ayurveda and Marma Chikitsas. It consists of peculiar kind of Kalari-Uzhichal or massaging through Marma Points on the body, where normally the injuries or Arthritis affects, with our own medicated oils and bandaging that spot with our special kind of medicinal paste made out of Herbs, and supporting cloth pads. And in some cases like bone fractures supporting baboo sticks are also used. Actually, this bandaging is an art we acquired from our ancestors. Every alternate days or in some cases every 3 or 4 days we open the bandage, mildly massage the area with appropriate Tailams to improve the circulation and thereby enhancing or making the healing process fast and bandage again. Along with this we give them specially made Ayurvedic Medicines and some our own traditional family medicines. Oils to reduce pain and inflammation, Kashayams to drink etc.
In some cases, we massage with Kizhi also (Ball shaped Thing made out of herbal leaf cuttings and medicinal powders which is then tied in Kora cloth). We lightly heat it in warm medicated oil and with that massage the body. And in some cases, after curing the pain and problem, we do full body Kalari massage and Kizhi massage, to make the body in a uniform condition.
Besides that, for general health and immunity building, we do the full body Kalari massage and Kizhi massage for 7 days 14 days or 21 days during that time we give them Kashayams (for health and immunity) to drink.”
Karkidaka Chikilsa” is provided here with good traditional Kalari massage and intakes like “Karkidaka-Kanji”.
Besides this we have good ayurvedic doctors and a team to provide general Ayurveda treatments like “PANCHAKARMA” Treatment.
We especially treat for the following problems
Experts in treating bone Fractures (hairline or complicated). For very miner cases it takes 7 bandages (14 days) for little more higher Fractures 14 bandages (28 days), for complicated fractures -21 bandages (42 days) and in rare cases – 28 or more bandages. This time may vary according to the body type, health condition and age sometimes.
Arthritic Problems
Osteo Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and all other general arthritic problems arising at various joints, knee pain, Tennis Elbow, frozen shoulders, tendonitis, spondylosis, stiff neck, lower back pains, slip disc, sciatica, hip problems all are treated here. Our first aim is to reduce the pain, and then tries to cure it completely. We tell the patients in how much time it will be cured, initially itself. Because in some cases it may need repeated treatment next few years also. After all in treatment, we cannot guarantee any thing to anyone, we do our best, rest we leave to the God. First we consult the patients, asks them all the history of the pain or stiffness or numbness or whatever it is, then we decide what sort of treatment they need. Even through phone, we can communicate initially, and can give helpful advices for those who cannot come for treatment immediately.
Sports Injuries and Accident Injuries
All sorts of joint sprains, ligament tears, muscle injuries, tendon injuries, all are treated here
Most of the sprains occurring to joints (ankle, Neck, wrist, shoulders, Hip, upper and lower back, thighs, calf, etc, if treated immediately and properly in this method, will be cured easily and perfectly in minimum time. Otherwise, if not treated properly it may later turn out to several joint problems.
Production Of Traditional Kalari-Ayuveda Inherited Medicines
All oils and drinking medicines for treatment we prepare ourselves. We follow the ayurvedic texts and some are rare secret family oils and Kashayams that are passed on from generations to generations. Among them one is the famous “VENKOTTA THAILAM” (Oil). Only natural things like herbs, leaves, stems and roots, are used for preparing medicines. Above all the good diagnosis and good hands and good method and good thoughts are the advantages.
The blessings of gurus and god are the foundation of any system. And when it is a traditional treatment, then they are more important.
Martial Art Kalarippayat Training
Kalari
Kalari is the place where it is practiced (normally in old end days they were roofed sheds, now a days terrace also, 42 feet long and 21 feet wide, with roof 15 to 20 feet high. The whole area is dug into a depth of 3 feet and the floor well rammed and consolidated. This method is for cooling of the floor and atmosphere. Kalari will face east with one door only. With a “Poothara” at the south west corner (“Kanni-Moola”) and a “Guru Thara” adjacent to it.
Kalaripayat
Kalaripayat is normally the training starts at an early age of 7 years. While entering in to a kalari, one has to be very silent and respectful, because the kalari is considered as a sacred place. First one has to pray in front of poo-thara, where kalari-bagavathy sangalpa is there, and then at guru-thara where kalari gurus of the tradition are worshipped. Then one has to prostrate in front of the gurukkal of that kalari, one who teaches the vidya. First Apply gingelly oil all over the body, wear langotti or kacha. Then starts the training one by one.
Mey - Thari
Mey – Thari is the first with different body and leg exercises. Later leads to mey-payatt of different types, and levels, which is the foundation of kalari payattu and which can be used as a good base for many other arts, sports, and other martial arts. Then comes the advanced meyppayat known as “pakarachakal”. By mastering all this, the student becomes ready for weapon training.
Weapon Training
Kolthari - wooden weapons
1. Kettu–Thari” or Chooral: 5 to 6 feet long stick, which is the first weapon in Kol-Thari. When thoroughly trained, moves on to next weapon.
2. Muchan or Kuru Vadi or Cheruvadi: A small stick made of tamrind wood. It needs speed, accuraraay, body strength and concentration.
3. Otta: Important weapon (“S” shaped and made out of Tamrind wood). All the strokes are towards Marma points of the body (64 – Kula abyasa marmas). One was considered as a good kalarippayat abyasi, when he has mastered “otta-ppayatt”.
Angathari – Metallic Weapons
- Sword & shield
- URUMI – Flexible long sword – Blade with both sides sharp
- Spear – Kuntham
- Verum – kai – bear hands
After all these – starts the “Kalari – Marma – chikilsa “training. Kalari massge or uyichal with both hands and legs, diagnosis, understanding the marma points, knowledge about the medicines, bandaging system, everything has to be mastered under a good Gurukkal. It may take a minimum of 10 years. The treatment is only taught to the best desciples, whom the gurukkal feels that has the qualities to become a good healer. Actually kalarippayat is the only martial art which has a well developed treatment branch also.
We follows different training durations for different levels of teaching Kalarippayat and for different purposes. Like a few weeks training for just familiarizing artists or actors with Kalari, few months training for foreigners who can stay only for a few months in India, then come back next year, 1-2 years training for children, and other sports personals for good body movements and balance and concentration. And more than 5 years training for persons who wants to study it throughly, including all the weapons. These periods may change a little bit from person to person.
Kalari is a good base for all other arts, sports and martial arts. It makes a person brave, smart, intelligent, obedient, disciplined, and humble. All together a good person himself, for family and society. Makes a healthy body and mind. It will be a good thing, if all the children in our society are given at least 2 years of “Kalarippayat – Training”.
Kalari Marma – Ayurveda treatment also known as Abhigatha Marma Chikilsa in some old texts. It is a treatment method with good characters of many methods of treatments. If done by a good master or Gurukkal-it is an unmatchable treatment and rejuvenation immunity building method. In the post ‘Corona ‘world Kalaripayat & Kalari Marma Chikitsa is of atmost importance.
For youngsters, practising Kalaripayat with everyday oiling the body improves body functions, health, strength and immunity and helps the growing process.
For middle aged people every year undergoing Kalari-Uzhichal, and regular practice of Yoga with a few Kalari steps included is very good.
And for elderly people doing Kalari oil bath from home itself and whenever having any age-related joint problems undergoing Kalari Marma Chikitsa is fine.
In this way kalarippayat and Kalari Marma Chikitsa is a complete health programme meant for all age groups, all genders, and for people all over the world.
Kalari - Programes
We conduct various programs like Kalarippayat’ performances (both indoor and outdoor), Navaratri Pooja in Kalari etc.
Yoga Classes
Apart from Kalarippayat, we give yoga training also. Yoga relaxes the mind and thus reduces the stress, and gives a rhythm to the life, with positive energy and attitude.
Online Class For Kalarippayat
During this pandemic period, we are conducting online classes for Kalarippayat.