Kalari ppayattu Martial Arts – workshop 10-1130 AM Saturday March 25th
Kalari ppayattu, martial art from India, is considered one of the oldest martial arts in the world. It is called the “mother of all martial arts.” Along with Buddhism, Kalari traveled from India to the rest of Asia. Kalari can benefit modern day human beings through a way of life that is holistic and introspective. Kalari offers a wide range of physical exercises inspired by animal movements, self-defense, weapons, massage therapy, diet and spirituality.
Class will introduce students to the basic training of Kalari ppayattu. After a dynamic warm-up, students begin with basic kicking series, animal postures, basic grappling techniques, preparation for jumps and acrobatics, core strengthening, balance, breathing and meditation.
Aerial Rope Mallakhamb – workshop 4:30-6PM Saturday March 25th
A class designed for strength, conditioning and flexibility training. Inspired by ancient Indian acrobatic forms and modern day sports of Rope and Pole Mallakhamb, this class is fun, challenging and inspiring. Students will learn Yoga-like postures and acrobatic feats on the rope as well as stretching and conditioning exercises, and developing core energy.
Mallakhamb is a traditional sport that originates from India. Though its origins are unclear, historians believe that the sport is over two centuries old. Competitors perform different acrobatic skills on either a wooden pole or long hanging rope. Rope Mallakhamb has some similarity to the aerial rope acts popular in the west. The students learn to perform yoga poses and dance combinations inspired by Karanas (Natya Shastra 2nd Cen CE).
Guru Anil Natyaveda, Co-Director of Navarasa Dance Theater (www.navarasa.org), is an expert in Mallakhamb rope and pole techniques. He trained in Mumbai at Shivaji Park with world-renowned gurus in the Mallakhamb acrobatic tradition. A native of Kerala, India, he has trained in Kalari ppayattu (Indian martial arts) for 35 years and is a master in both Northern and Southern styles. As a choreographer and performer, he has worked in India, Europe, and North America for more than three decades. Guru Aparna Sindhoor, Artistic Director of Navarasa Dance Theater (www.navarasa.org), is trained in Indian classical dance, yoga, music and theater. She is a Gold Medalist in Dance from Mysore University and has a PhD in Dance from Boston University. She uses her training in temple and court dance traditions of India to create choreographies on rope and pole Mallakhamb that appeal to contemporary audiences.
Sindhoor and Natyaveda choreographed for Cirque du Soleil famed Franco Dragone’s circus show INDIA in Germany. They were both nominated for the L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Choreography in 2013.
workshop cost is $15-20 sliding scale: payable at time of workshop.
