As I enter the Kalari class at the Indian Heritage Academy Concern, I am a bundle of nerves. Will I be asked to battle with sticks with Kalari experts? Will I be able to lift the huge sticks, that some exponents of the art form manage to swish about in quick time? Will I, much like Po in Kung Fu Panda , accidentally stumble upon greatness in this art form? Or, will I be hit by someone and come crashing down to the ground? These are some of the questions that whirl around my head. My instructor asks me to change my clothes, assuring me that it will make my body more flexible. He adds, “It is a tough form to master and takes years of training, concentration and hard work. It takes nearly 10 years for a person to be proficient. It comprises multiple exercises, helps burn body fat and is healthier than any cardio at the gym.”
We start with a series of breathing exercises and I am secretly relieved that we do not have to pick up sticks or armour yet. The breathing exercises soon give way to the surya namaskar, an exercise routine that appears simple, as long as you are watching someone do it. I huff and pant my way to one surya namaskar and am feeling happy about my performance, before I notice that the rest of my class has moved to their third surya namaskar! “It is a perfect exercise in itself. It exercises both the body and the mind,” explains the instructor. We move on to doing crunches, sit-ups and push-ups. My pride of being someone who enjoys the occasional workout comes crashing down as I find it difficult to keep pace with the rest of the class.
Thirty minutes into the warm up routine and we move on to kalari exercises, starting with kicking in the air and charging ahead. On both attempts, my balance goes for a toss and the instructor rushes to hold me up so that I do not come crashing down.
The final exercise almost flipped me out, since I was supposed to kick upwards and hit my palm, raised upwards in military style. My lack of proper exercise was evident since I was the only one in a class of 30 who could not do this.
Exhausted, yet, strangely refreshed, I exited the class, and pounced on the first glass of cold lime water at a shop outside. The instructor follows me and says, “You have some extra flab. Once you get rid of it, you will find these exercises easy.”
Benefits
Increases Flexibility and strength
Increases immunity and overall health
Makes the body fast and dynamic.
Improves concentration
