4th Training

I attended my 4th Kalarippayattu training on the same day in the evening after Elizabeth's Kalarippayattu class. Inevitably, I start making comparisons of both styles of training while considering both in Zarrilli's frame of thought.

Instinctively, I was more fond of doing Elizabeth's style of Kalarippayattu because it is more congruent with Zarrilli's pedagogy. The fluidity from movement to movement is also more appealing to me as it forces one to be more flexible. However, I was wondering if the very staccato-esque movement is caused by an incorrect practice by my classmates. Somehow I always feel that my classmate's execution of moves is very sloppy.

I actually saw the video on Kathakali filmed and commented upon by Zarrilli where some scenes of the training of the dancers were shown. And this training shown had elements of Kalarippayattu. What amazed me was the extreme amount of body discipline shown there in the video clip. Which sadly, is something missing from my classmates' display. However, today we had the same black belt senior do a display with a traditional Kalarippayattu weapon. Its is metal sword-like weapon where the blade is not stiff but flexible. When used, it is like a combination between sword and whip. Whenever the weapon struck the floor, sparks flew, alike in Silat's dagger combat.

Similarly, I had a moment of revere for the practice and the fear of its power. I guess this suggests the impact of the difference between being precise when doing the practice and being sloppy. When I first started lessons, Master was very relaxed with me. But somehow, by this lesson, he started becoming strict with me. I was told later by the black belt senior that I do Kalaripayattu like a dance and was asked if I were a dancer. Busted! I guess somehow the ego in me is yet to be switched off and I want to do it my style.

If I were to give a verdict, I would say that the impact on consciousness and attention of Elizabeth's Kalarippayattu is the precision of repeated movements that takes over the ego and gives you a keener sense of body consciousness and your surroundings. A deeper and richer sensation of the felt environment and a ability to attend to more stimulus without a sense of overloading. The impact on consciousness and attention of Master's Kalarippayattu is the fear of injuring yourself or being injured by your opponent. That fear also puts you on alert and the speed of reaction is enhanced, as well as your focus on the given situation. The feeling of being there and now.

K8