Program Approach

Wellness Garden (WG) Team Bangalore is excited to introduce our first #WGTreasures for 2024, an exploration into holistic wellness featuring an Introduction to Kalaripayattu (Kalari), a curated Wellness Program for Muscle & Bone Strengthening, and Mind/Body reconnect.

Your Journey into Holistic Fitness: Immerse yourself in new high-energy exercises, ideal for strengthening muscles, bones, and enhancing focus and flexibility for a healthier lifestyle. Join us at Wellness Garden for a Transformative Experience!

Kalari is an ancient martial, meditational, and medicinal tradition that evolved alongside Yoga and Ayurveda. Originating from Kerala in South India, it is a complete system of body-oriented therapy emphasizing the expansion and development of the senses, often described as 'when the body becomes all eyes.' Kalari provides a framework for understanding our existence in the world and offers practical guidelines to harmonize ourselves with our ever-changing inner and outer environments.

Kalari Martial Yoga offers a unique approach to improving health and wellbeing. It integrates Meditation, Pranayama, Kalari movement forms, Animal asanas/stances, and Hatha Yoga asanas into a traditional yet dynamic practice. Kalari asanas and forms are multidimensional, incorporating concepts of power and focus, enabling practitioners to feel a closer connection to their ancestral animal and warrior lineages. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, it offers benefits in resolving various health issues. 

Why choose Kalari? 

Unleash strength, flexibility, and endurance, embarking on a transformative journey toward holistic wellness.

For Who?

Open to all Fit level participants of all ages. Kalari is ideal for building and maintaining general fitness and is particularly suited for yogis, athletes, martial artists, actors, dancers and movement practitioners from all walks of life and ages (over 7 years old). Students develop more flexibility, calm and focus the mind, improve their fitness and core strength, and develop a deeper sense of inner wellbeing.

What to expect

• Explore the techniques of traditional weaponry and combat. 
• Refine your breathing exercises. 
• Engage in targeted Marma Points therapy. 
• Experience invigorating therapeutic massages.
•  Indulge in Ayurvedic refreshments and receive nutritional guidance.

Get Ready

• Dress comfortably.
• Have your meal at least three hours before the session.
• Kids aged 7 and above are welcome.
• Join recurring online classes; no workshops scheduled.
• Led by seasoned instructors and assistants.
• Enjoy cooling Ayurvedic drinks and snacks.
• Limited photography and videography permitted.

Begin your Health journey for 2024 with this initiation class!

Exploring the essence of Kalari. Following the offline session, participants can seamlessly transition to the online class. The Wellness Garden (WG) Team is here to guide you in discovering the perfect fit among Bangalore's 15+ carefully curated and reviewed centers.

About the teacher 

Ramu Madanan, founder of Kalari Manoeuvre in Mathikere - Bangalore North, is a passionate Kalaripayattu Artist and a Lawyer on the professional front. Hailing from Kerala, he started practicing Kalaripayattu from the childhood. Experienced for about 20 years and performed over 200 stages at National & International platforms, he has showcased the ancient art form to the contemporary society.

Awards & Achievements

Ramu has won Kalaripayattu National Championship twice representing state of Karnataka. And for the outstanding contributions in Kalaripayattu, the Government of Karnataka honored him with Bangalore Youth Award in the year 2014. Ramu has been selected as member of International Dance Council of UNESCO in the year 2019 for his achievements in the art form.

Kalari Manoeuvre is a registered trust in Bangalore and a member of International Dance Council, UNESCO, Paris. Kalari Manoeuvre conducts regular Kalaripayattu classes and workshops for students in India and abroad.

History & Origin

Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts globally, hails from Kerala, known as the mother of martial arts. Derived from "Kalari" meaning gymnasium and "payattu" meaning fight, it's deeply rooted in tradition and technique.

Traditionally, Kalari centers resemble temples, with specific dimensions and sacred corners. Practitioners learn unarmed combat and weapon skills, employing sticks, daggers, swords, and more, with graceful acrobatics and animal-inspired movements.

Historically, Kalaripayattu traces back to the 3rd century BC, credited to Saint Parshurama. It flourished during Kerala's war periods and faced decline during British rule, only to resurge in the late 20th century.

There are two main styles: Vadakkan (Northern) and Thekken (Southern), each emphasizing distinct movements and weaponry.

Training progresses through stages focusing on body control, wooden and metal weapons, and bare hand combat. Healing techniques, based on vital spots and energy channels, enhance both fighting skills and overall well-being.

Kalaripayattu's influence extends beyond combat, impacting traditional art forms like Kathakali and classical dance, enhancing performance through improved flexibility and grace.

The benefits of Kalaripayattu are manifold, enhancing strength, speed, reflexes, concentration, patience, immunity, and spiritual awareness. It's not just about self-defense but also mental and spiritual growth, preserving cultural heritage while promoting physical and mental health. Copyright images @photographer Sebastian Gora @Studio Kalari, Wroclaw, Poland.