KALARI YOGA with Gerhard Schmid November 1, 2008

YogaThree Presents in Parnership with Prana Power Yoga Studio

"Entering Gaja Mukha - an introduction to Kalari Yoga" with Gerhard Schmid

Saturday, November 1 to Sunday, November 2

Prana Power Yoga Studio, Central Square Cambridge, MA



Cost:

Entire Weekend ---- $115 (7.5 hours in 3 sessions) (Drop-in - $150)

Each Session --- $45 (Drop-in - $60)



Times:

Sat, 11/1, 9am-11:30pm, 1st Session: Lohar, Surya Namaskara, Kalugal and Vadivu

Sat, 11/1, 2-4:30pm, 2nd Session: Puthara and Kalari Vandanam

Sun, 11/2, 9am-11:30pm, 3rd Session: Shiva Form: Kaikuttippayat - Shiva Pilaitangi I



"Entering Gaja Mukha - an introduction to Kalari Yoga"

The entrance of a traditional clay pit Kalari is often referred to as Gaja Mukha, the elephant face. Here the practitioner begins his ancient journey into the Tantra Yoga of Martial Arts.





About Kalari Yoga

Kalari Yoga is a mystical tantric form of Yoga which evolved from Vadakkan Sampradayam (Northern Style Kalarippayat) and cannot be separated from Kalarippayat, the martial art form. According to legend its purpose in the practice was to combine the advantages of Hatha Yoga with those of Kalarippayat to enhance the physical and spiritual growth of the Kalari-warriors of medieval Kerala.

Kalari Yoga is not static. The way into the posture is just as important as the posture itself and some postures are actually only done in movement. At a later stage, postures are also intertwined with different turns and Leg-Swings in which the practitioner learns to momentarily surrender focus, just to powerfully regain it in the next posture. The practitioner learns to the "rider", not the "horse" of these states. In addition to the postures, a powerful form known as "Kalari Yoga Vandanam" is practiced. This form is an adaptation of the "Kalari Vandanam" and requires power as well as grace and flow which is adjourned by short phases of open eyed meditation. This form in its grace and seeming simplicity is a powerful tool for the practitioner's development and foundation of the practice.





1st Session: Lohar, Surya Namaskara, Kalugal and Vadivu
The Kalari practitioner is commonly referred to as abhyasi, the repeating one. In this first session, the abhyasis will be introduced to some key elements or the practice: Lohar warm-up exercises, Kalari Surya Namaskara, Vadivu, animal postures. These 1st practices create grounding, steadfastness,
focus, alignment, flow and an expansion of sensory awareness. They are repeated many times to begin the conditioning required to progress to the next phase of practice. No prior Kalari experience necessary.



2nd Session: Puthara and Kalari Vandanam
Every Kalari class will start the main practice with one form: Puthara and Kalari Vandanam. It is in this form that we acknowledge the lineage Kalari tradition and the sacred space of the Kalari practice space itself through movement prostrations. We first salute the Puthara-the seat of the teacher, and flow immediately into the Vandanam-salutation form. The Vandanam is an ageless and beautiful flowing sequence that includes many of the animal postures, as well as a set of absolutely unique movements. Again, repetition is a key element, with the focus being less on form and more on cultivating flow. The 1st session, or prior kalari experience is a pre-requisite to attend this session.

3rd Session: Shiva Form: Kaikuttippayat - Shiva Pilaitangi I
Shiva and Shakti forms have different families and are the heart of the Kalari Yoga practice.
We will start with the 1st Shiva form- Kaikuttippayat from the Pilaitangi family of forms. This is a body form with intense flowing movements. Here powerful energy is created by focusing on male aspects: Stamina, grounding, alignment, will power and the pure and emotionless aspect of energy culminating in the transformative fury of the Shiva Tandava. The first two sessions or prior Kalari experience are a pre-requisite to attend this session.



BIOGRAPHY

"No sports" had been the credo of Gerhard Schmid for a long time – until by coincidence he came across Kalarippayat (“Kalari”) — the traditional Indian martial art. From the first session onwards Gerhard was amazed about the effects: After a hard training he felt more fit, more present than before. He was totally taken only a few months later, when he had the chance to attend a seminar with C. M. Sherif Gurukkal, one of the most acclaimed grand masters of Kalarippayat. That was back in 1999. Since then Gerhard has embarked on a powerful journey, training up to six months every year with his teacher C. M. Sherif Gurukkal in Kerala/India, and immersing himself ever deeper into what is said to be the most ancient martial art in the world. By now he has completed almost nine years of the traditional 12-year-„gurukkula“-education and is one of the very few Westerners who have been trained in the three different styles of Kalarippayat - Vadakkan (Northern), Madhya (Central) and Tekan (Southern).

Kalari, not only being a martial art, but equally a healing art (Chikitsa), it offers a wide range of treatments and is considered to be the neurology and physiotherapy branch of Ayurveda. As such it's focus is on the marmas, the "vital spots" of the body.
Gerhard is trained both in Nadi- and Marma-Therapy as well as in Foot-Massage (Chavutty Uzhichil) — a complex full body treatment, given with the feet of the therapist.

He is a certified senior instructor of the Kerala Kalarippayat Academy in Kannur / Kerala and teaches at his own studio in Hamburg/Germany as well in various places in the US His inspiring classes are deeply rooted in his fundamental knowledge, his descriptive approach, his love to share what he was granted to discover and his great sense of humour. His ability to lead each student according to his/her individual potential makes every class an experience of growth and joy — for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

Official Website: http://kalariyoga.eventbrite.com