Kalaripayattu

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

        After three decades of training, I have come to realize that Kalaripayattu goes beyond physical exercise—it is a training of the mind. There is a popular saying in Kalaripayattu that "the body becomes eyes." This means that regardless of the direction of an attack, practitioners possess the ability to defend themselves. However, Kalaripayattu offers more than just defensive skills. It cultivates a sense of calmness, confidence, and inner peace, which becomes a defining characteristic of a Kalaripayattu practitioner.

 

        When we examine the fundamental philosophy of practicing yoga, such as the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, including yama, niyama, asana, and so on, we understand that these practices aim to compose and prepare the mind. Martial arts, similarly, have an immeasurable impact on human behavior, culture, and personal development. One of the notable aspects is the development of resilience. Through Kalaripayattu, the body grows strong and flexible, motor skills improve, reflexes sharpen, and the mind attains balance. This enables individuals to face any challenge that life presents, teaching them how to rise after a fall and confront adversities head-on. Learning how to bounce back in life when it knocks you down can be considered a culture unique to Kalaripayattu. Practitioners first learn how to rise after every fall during training, how to face challenges, overcome pain, and fight with determination. This is the essence of Kalaripayat practice.

 

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

 

 

        Moreover, Kalaripayat enhances the capacity to endure both mental and physical pain. Often, we fear pain and shy away from confronting it, which restricts us from embracing challenges. Many individuals prefer to remain in their comfort zones, resembling a pupa where they can sit comfortably, but this limited existence prevents them from fully experiencing the beauty of life. The mind desires to soar freely like a butterfly, but this internal struggle holds it back, leading to disappointment and personal crises. Kalaripayattu liberates individuals from such crises and empowers them to fly like butterflies—rising after a fall, transforming pain into adornment, and strengthening the subconscious mind. Through Kalaripayattu, one can discover limitless possibilities and transcend self-imposed boundaries.

 

        The conscious mind tends to dwell either in the past or the future, revealing its limitations. It is primarily responsible for memory and the imagination of future events. Unfortunately, this tendency often leads to suffering, anxiety, and despair. Memories of the past can sometimes become sources of stress, while worrying about the future adds to our burdens. It is important to recognize that the conscious mind is just a small portion, like the tip of an iceberg, compared to the vast space of the unconscious mind.

 

 

        Martial arts, in essence, train the subconscious mind. In threatening situations, the subconscious mind triggers fight-or-flight responses without our conscious awareness. It instantly assesses the situation, searching for survival strategies, such as identifying weapons or escape routes. The information and memories stored in our subconscious mind, accumulated since birth, guide these responses. However, the conscious mind often expresses fear and other emotions. When suddenly attacked, our fight-or-flight response is driven by the subconscious mind. This explains why, in extreme circumstances, some individuals commit violent acts without fully comprehending why they did so. It is a desperate reaction from the subconscious mind, acting in a moment of helplessness. These individuals may later regret their actions.

        Martial arts provide training on how to handle such situations. We repeatedly practice specific techniques, such as chuvadu or ozhivu, until they become ingrained in our muscle memory. Through intense and refined practice, these actions become reflexive responses, deeply embedded in our subconscious mind. We refer to this phenomenon as muscle memory. When we repeatedly practice an action, something remarkable happens in our brain. Neural pathways are created, connecting the neurons responsible for controlling our body movements. This process reminds both our mind and muscles of how to respond in a given situation. While the conscious mind adapts to immediate needs, the subconscious mind draws upon stored information from the past.

 

        By training the subconscious mind through martial arts, we can enhance our ability to respond effectively in challenging situations. This integration of mind and body allows us to tap into the wisdom and experience stored within us, providing us with a sense of confidence and readiness.

 

 

      Through consistent practice, we can transform motor skills into what we commonly refer to as muscle memory. However, it is important to understand that our muscles themselves do not possess the ability to remember specific movements. Instead, the term "muscle memory" refers to the coordinated activity of neurons and nerves associated with the muscles.

 

 

        Every bodily movement originates from brain activity. When we engage in repetitive practice of a particular movement, regardless of its difficulty level, it activates specific neurons in our brain, creating neural pathways. These pathways serve as a blueprint for the movement. As a result, when faced with a similar situation or task, an individual who has ingrained that movement in their muscle memory will be able to perform it effortlessly.

 

        The concept of muscle memory is often misunderstood. It is not a memory stored within the muscles themselves, but rather a term used to describe the learned motor skills and the neural connections formed within the brain. It is through this process that our bodies become capable of executing complex movements with precision and efficiency.

 

        Activities such as driving a car, playing the piano, practicing martial arts, or even typing are primarily executed by our subconscious mind. When we engage in these tasks, we often find ourselves multitasking, talking, or thinking about something else while performing them. Remarkably, we can effortlessly shift gears, press the accelerator, or strike precise piano keys without conscious effort.

 

        Similarly, martial arts is an activity that unfolds within the realm of the subconscious mind. During moments of attack, our reflexes instinctively kick in, often without our conscious awareness of how they operate. We tend to comprehend the action only after it has occurred, as our conscious mind plays catch-up with the swift and automatic responses generated by our subconscious. It is in these moments that we realize the profound influence of our subconscious mind in guiding our martial arts skills and reactions.

 

 

        Moreover, practicing Kalari offers numerous benefits. The brain produces neurochemicals like endorphins, which induce feelings of peace, happiness, confidence, and a positive attitude. These chemicals contribute to our overall well-being. Through Kalari practice, we gradually gain control over our emotions, a state referred to as "bindhu jayam." Emotional stability is enhanced, and our personality undergoes positive development. Kalari helps free us from mental blocks, allowing us to cultivate integrity and a strong sense of self. We begin to perceive others as equals, develop awareness of the universe and our place within it, and become individuals capable of providing a blueprint for others who are struggling to overcome their own crises.

        Furthermore, studies have proven that Kalaripayattu training can assist individuals in overcoming past traumas and building strength. It serves as a powerful remedy to break free from mental barriers and move forward in life. By practicing martial arts, we unlock our potential for growth and transformation, both physically and mentally.

 

        During a child's formative years, particularly until the age of 7, their minds are open and receptive to the world around them. This period presents a unique opportunity to shape their behavior, language, and more. It can be compared to acquiring a new hard disk and selectively copying the files we desire. Martial arts, such as Kalaripayattu, provide a platform for repetitive actions, which significantly influence our subconscious mind. Over time, these actions become ingrained in our subconscious and contribute to the seamless functioning of our bodies, often without conscious effort.

 

        The relationship between the body and the subconscious mind strengthens through reflex actions. We recognize that the subconscious mind operates akin to a child, repeating and internalizing what we feed into it. Once engraved, these impressions persist throughout our lives, shaping our culture and worldview. Kalaripayattu, being the mother of all martial arts practices, plays a pivotal role in the holistic development of the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of an individual. Disciplined practice in Kalaripayattu helps prevent the onset of stress and anxiety, fostering mental strength.

 

 

        For those who engage in Kalaripayattu under the guidance of Agasthyam, deep breathing and mindfulness hold significant importance. These practices enable the saadhakas, to attain heightened focus and concentration. One can observe the mind simultaneously maintaining a calm and alert state. This aligns with the notion of the body becoming the eye, as mentioned earlier.

 

        Let's envision ourselves practicing an ozhivu in Kalaripayattu. We find ourselves being attacked with a sword or another weapon, and we swiftly move away from the impending strike. This evasion technique is known as ozhivu. In Kalaripayattu, our training encompasses a combination of striking, ozhivu, and defense, creating a sequence of movements. When faced with an attack from a sword, it is crucial to defend ourselves. Have you ever considered the consequences of not defending against such an attack? It could result in severe injury or, in the worst-case scenario, even death.

 

        The practice of ozhivu becomes ingrained in us, serving as a habitual and effective survival technique. It enables us to escape the perils of a sharp and potentially fatal attack. It is vital to recognize that all the crises we encounter in life are not beyond the ultimate crisis of death. So, by training in Kalaripayattu, students develop the ability to confront any challenge with ease. They gain mental strength through continuous practice.