| Kalarippayattu (Southern style) |
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Training led by Sankar Lal Sivasankaran Nair of Studio Kalari Fri–Sat 24–25 April 2015, 9:00–11:00 Laboratory Theatre Space Sun 26 April 2015, 9:00–11:00 The One Hostel 3rd floor, Rynek-Ratusz 30 Admission free In Polish and English Contact and application Please send your completed application form to Justyna Rodziñska-Nair at justyna@grotowski-institute.art.pl by 12 April 2015. The number of places is limited. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Training is a one-day workshop. Kalarippayattu is a martial art from Kerala, South India. Its origins can be traced to at least the 12th century. Rich in ritual, kalarippayattu includes the study of movement sequences, incapacitating locks, close combat techniques and handling wooden and metal weapons (sticks, knives, swords and spears) as well as strengthening, stretching and breathing exercises. The three styles of kalarippayattu, commonly distinguished as Northern, Southern and central differ in movement sequences and weapon combat techniques. Physical training is complemented by a unique healing system closely related to Ayurveda. It includes, among other things, massages that heal the body and make it more flexible, and the knowledge of marmas, vital points of the human body. Elements of kalarippayattu have for centuries been used in the traditional training of Kerala actors and dancers, for egzample in kathakali. Regular kalarippayattu practice improves flexibility, agility and body coordination as well as developing strength, stamina and concentration. Most importantly, however, it helps its practitioners to become aware of their potential, improves their capability to control energy as well as developing their spiritual awareness. Thanks to its multi-faceted character, kalarippayattu has something to offer martial artists, yoga practitioners, actors, dancers and anyone seeking a form of exercise that involves conscious work with body and soul, and enables physical expression of their emotions. In these Southern kalarippayattu training sessions, participants will learn the traditional salutation, basic movement sequences and the skill of stick spinning. The workshop will also include stretching and strengthening exercises.  Sankar Lal Sivasankaran Nair is a kalarippayattu teacher and certified Ayurvedic massage therapist born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Sankar started studying the Southern style of kalarippayattu in 1990. He has counted among his masters Tirupuram C. Madhavan (Anjaneya Kalari Sangham), Jayachandran Nair (Kerala School of Martial Arts), Thankappan Assan and Ajith Kumar (Maruthi Marma Chikilsa Kalari Sangham). His current master is Raja Gopalan Assan. Between 2005 and 2008 Sankar worked with Milón Méla, an Indian theatre group, co-conducting numerous workshops and performing at festivals across India and Europe. In 2008 he moved to Wroc³aw, Poland. He currently teaches Southern kalarippayattu (running regular classes in Wroclaw as well as workshops in Poland and abroad, including in Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Russia) and practises Ayurvedic massage (ayurvedam.pl). He is a co-founder of Studio Kalari, which operates within the BodyConstitution research programme of the Grotowski Institute. More information: www.studiokalari.art.pl As part of BodyConstitution, practical seminar |