Learn this massage therapy to loosen your knots

BENGALURU: Raam Kumar has created this handy guidebook of massage therapy by combining kalaripayattu, yoga, alternative medicine and acupressure.If you are the type who demands to get a massage after a tiring day, you need not look at spas to get you that relief. Raam Kumar promises to teach you some massage hacks that can be worked on a one-to-one basis. Having learnt kalaripayattu, yoga, alternative medicine, yoga therapy, thyroplasty and acupressure, Raam Kumar combines all these forms to provide a handy guidebook, that can be practised on a daily basis.

“This exercise helps you understand and locate the points in your body where tension builds up. You will learn how to release these points through massage therapy, says the co-founder of Gathr, Badri, “This is the second activity we are carrying out with Raam, the first activity we had with him was on sitting, standing, lying down and walking-on everyday activities we don’t pay attention to. This is sort of a sequel to that.”

Here’s an excerpt of the conversation CE had with Raam Kumar:

Tell us about yourself.
I’m a martial artist, and I follow this martial art called Kalaripayattu. In Kalaripayattu, we have this treatment procedure which is for people who practise kalari which is called Kalari chikitsa. We have a full body massage therapy for that. I have also done my postgraduate diploma in Alternative Medicine, via that I also did acupressure and yoga therapy.

How did you come up with this specific massage therapy?
This process that I’m doing with Gathr, is a culmination of all these ideas that I have learnt. I’m also a dancer. I’ve been dancing and doing yoga for the last ten years. Whenever it is a hectic day in the studio, we always stretch each other’s body and give massage to each other. So I’m basically combining all the forms that I know and am trying to bring up a programme where these techniques can be used by anyone on a daily basis. This does not specifically aim to cure anything, but it works with the idea of relaxing your body, finding the right breath, the right alignments and balance with the body. If required, this can also be used in a therapeutic process as well. This is like a handbook guide that can be used on a daily basis by anyone if they feel that need to go through massage.

Does this need to be done in groups or in pairs?
It works on a one-to-one basis if you’ve had a hectic day and if you’re with your friend and want to get a massage done, this process will help your body get relief from tiredness and body pain. It is done with the feet and can be painful for the one who is receiving it. It works on re-aligning the structure of the body, that is what we do in Kalari, and I have taken from that.

How long have you been practising this? Have you taught others these techniques before?
I started performing Kalaripayattu when I was four-years-old. And then I started assisting my grandfather and uncles who are doctors when I was 16. I started learning this process from that time. I’ve been doing this for around 12 to 15 years. When I was working in my company, I used to lead these sessions for the other dancers. Then it was more of an experimentation. I noted what works and what doesn’t. This is the first time I will be bringing it out to the general public.

What: Working Out Your Kinks: A Massage Literacy Workshop
When: April 8,3 pm to 5 pm
Where: Shoonya - Centre for Art and Somatic Practices
Book your ticket for Rs 800