Occupation:Kalari treatment expert and chief instructor at CVN Kalari Chikitsa Kendram
Back pain is the most common issues that I notice among patients. In most cases they come here after trying all conventional treatments. In Kalaripayattu, we treat it by rejuvenating the muscles as most of these cases arise due to weakening of muscles around the lower back.
This Kalaripayattu training and treatment centre at East Fort, was started by my father and guru, Govindankutty Nair, who came here from Thalassery in 1956. I did my schooling in Model HSS and then got a B.Com degree from Mahatma Gandhi College. In 1981, I started assisting my father in training and treatment. Till 2006, the year my father passed away, I was looking after the exhibition performances that we give in different places. After his death, I took charge of the centre.
Kalaripayattu used to be a way of life once. Every village used to have a kalaripayattu centre that was the physical education institute of that time. Kids used to join kalaris just to get in shape and be healthy rather than to learn to fight. Of that pool of students, dedicated children used to be selected for professional training, which will obviously involve Kalaripayattu and finally the different methods of treatment. Before starting the medication studies, including the massaging techniques, it is important to get a thorough understanding of the different marmas (pressure points) and nervous system in the body. It usually takes three to six months to learn Uzhichil (massaging).
We treat fractures, dislocation, arthritis, ligament and nerve-related issues. Treatments vary from simply tying up the injured part with a medicated oil-soaked cloth and support, to using the special ‘kizhi’ method for more severe conditions like ankle injuries and arthritis. Kalari methods are streamlined variations of conventional treatment methods used in Ayurveda.
Most of our therapies involve considerable amount of oil massaging. For instance, the most common kind of massaging we practise here is the whole body massage called Kalari Uzhichil. This is usually done on students learning Kalari to loosen their muscles before a long year of training. We also do it for healthy people who want to rejuvenate their body after a hectic year at work. It is usually done during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, which is the period of the year when the hot season completely gives way to the cold, rainy months. The climate during this period is perfect for body purification and rejuvenation treatments, according to Ayurveda.
Nowadays, people are in a hurry and don’t have time for extended treatments. Many enquire whether it is possible to do Uzhichil in couple of days. You can’t do it like that.
For the desired effects, Uzhichil needs to be done for an hour every day for seven days. The person needs to take complete rest during this time as well as seven days or more after the therapy. I have seen many places offering quick Uzhichil therapies, which are not good. If not done properly, it can result in severe health problems. I practise and teach Kalaripayattu from 8 am to 9.30 am every day. My wife, Sandhya, is the Ayurveda doctor in charge of the clinic. My son Sandeep is in his final year of BAMS. We live here at the centre itself.
Contact: 0471-2474182
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