Kalariyog
A Dedicated Space for Ancient Indian Arts
Kalaripayattu: The Ancient Martial Art
What is Kalaripayattu?
Kalaripayattu, often hailed as the "mother of all martial arts," is an ancient Indian combat system that dates back over 3,000 years. Originating in Kerala, this holistic discipline begins with intense body conditioning, forging strength, flexibility, and endurance—transforming the practitioner’s body into a weapon of precision and awareness, often described as “when the body becomes all eyes.”
Seamlessly blending powerful kicks, fluid jumps, animal-inspired postures, intricate self-defense techniques, weaponry, and therapeutic healing methods, Kalaripayattu is far more than just a martial art. With its deep connection to nature and traditional wisdom, it trains both the body and mind, fostering discipline, agility, and heightened awareness. Whether practiced for self-defense, fitness, or personal growth, this ancient art remains highly relevant in today’s world, offering a path to strength, resilience, and inner harmony.
Why Kalaripayattu for Today’s Lifestyle?
In an age dominated by sedentary work, digital distractions, and high stress, Kalaripayattu offers a powerful way to reconnect with the body and mind. Here’s how it benefits modern practitioners:
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Full-Body Fitness – Kalaripayattu enhances strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination, making it an excellent workout for overall fitness.
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Stress Relief & Mental Clarity – The dynamic movements, breath control, and meditative aspects help reduce stress, improve focus, and sharpen mental agility.
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Self-Defense & Confidence – This ancient martial art equips practitioners with practical self-defense techniques while instilling confidence and self-discipline.
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Improved Posture & Mobility – Kalaripayattu’s fluid movements counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting and poor posture, making the body more agile and pain-free.
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Holistic Healing – With its roots in Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu includes self-healing techniques that promote overall well-being, injury recovery, and energy balance.
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Mind-Body Connection – It encourages mindfulness, awareness, and harmony between the physical and mental self, leading to a more balanced and centered life.
Whether you are looking to boost your fitness, learn self-defense, or embrace a time-honored tradition, Kalaripayattu is a transformative practice for all ages and lifestyles. Start your journey today and experience the power of this ancient art in the modern world!
Traditional Yoga and Its Essence
Traditional yoga is a holistic practice that has been passed down for thousands of years, deeply rooted in self-discipline, mindfulness, and inner transformation. More than just physical postures, it integrates ethical principles (Yama and Niyama), breath control (Pranayama), meditation (Dhyana), and self-awareness to create harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita emphasize yoga as a path to overall well-being and self-realization, guiding practitioners toward a balanced and fulfilling life.
As yoga has spread across the world, it has adapted to meet the needs of different people and lifestyles. Many modern styles focus on physical movement and dynamic sequences, making yoga more accessible to a wider audience. While these approaches offer significant benefits for health and fitness, it is important to remember the depth of yoga beyond just asanas.
The wisdom of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, the eightfold path, provides a structured approach to true yogic transformation. There was a reason why Patanjali structured Ashtanga Yoga, the eight limbs of yoga, in a particular order. The sequence—beginning with Yama (ethical restraints) and Niyama (self-discipline) before moving into Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breath control)—was intentional.
Without a strong foundation in ethical and mental discipline, physical postures alone cannot lead to true yogic transformation. This order shouldn’t be overlooked, as it serves as a guide to holistic well-being and ultimate self-realization.
In today’s fast-paced world, reconnecting with the roots of traditional yoga can bring a more meaningful and balanced practice—one that nurtures not just the body but also the mind and soul.
About me
My name is Sujata and I am a trained Kalaripayattu and Yoga teacher. I have been practicing yoga for over 30 years and have taught around 1000 students worldwide since in the past 10 years.
Movement and discipline have shaped my life since childhood. Yoga was naturally woven into my training, becoming an integral part of my being as I began training in gymnastics and rope Mallakhamb at a age of 6 developing strength, flexibility, and control.
I studied under various gurus in the traditional manner, without categorizing my learning into styles. In 2015, I began teaching and discovered a deep passion for sharing this ancient knowledge. Teaching became more than instruction—it was a responsibility to preserve and pass on these traditions authentically.
My quest to delve deeper into India’s ancient arts led me to Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial traditions in the world. My journey began under the guidance of Master Baiju Mohandas in Kerala, where I immersed myself in the Guru-Shishya Parampara—the sacred teacher-student tradition that demands complete dedication, discipline, and surrender.
Unlike modern training methods, this path is not dictated by timelines or personal ambition; instead, it is the guru who decides when a student is ready to progress. This traditional approach, though demanding, resonated deeply with me, and I knew I had found my life's purpose.
Every year, I travel to my guru’s center in Kerala to train intensively under his guidance, refining my practice and deepening my understanding of this ancient art. My training primarily follows the Northern style of Kalari, with elements of the Central style incorporated into my practice. Kalaripayattu is more than just a martial art—it is a way of life, a system that cultivates strength, agility, awareness, and an unbreakable connection between the body and mind.
Today, my path is one of dedication to these ancient Indian disciplines—Kalaripayattu and Yoga—both of which are deeply intertwined in their philosophy, movement, and spiritual essence. They are not just practices but sacred traditions that connect us to our roots, our ancestors, and the vast wisdom of our land. My journey is one of honoring these traditions, living them, and sharing them with the world.
I have been taking yoga classes from Sujata for the past four years, and the transformation in my health has been remarkable. Sujata's classes have kept me fit, flexible, and strong, while also helping me manage plantar fasciitis. Her expert guidance has taken me from a novice to performing several asanas with ease. Additionally, her Kalari classes have further enhanced my strength and endurance. Sujata's dedication to her students' growth is truly inspiring. I wholeheartedly recommend Sujata's classes to anyone looking to improve their health and achieve a higher level of fitness.
Rohan Kamat
I''m thrilled to have met Sujata, who introduced me to the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu. Training under her guidance was truly transformative. Sujata's teaching style is engaging, supportive, and tailored to each student's needs that is really important as everyone has different strength so she uses to teach us as per our strength that would make it easy to learn. She helped me develop physical discipline, mental focus, and a deeper appreciation for India's rich martial arts heritage. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and highly recommend her classes to anyone interested in Kalaripayattu.
Sarvajit Pandya
