Kalari chikitsa
Kalari chikitsa is the healing system of Kerala’s martial art, Kalaripayattu.
Kalari chikitsa was developed to prevent and treat the injuries and improve the fighting skills of the Kalaripayattu warriors.
The methods used for the ancient warriors remain effective for treating modern aches, pains, and injuries.
What is Kalari chikitsa?
Kalari chikitsa is a complete system of traditional medicine. It includes a range of massage methods, marma applications, herbal oils, pastes, poultices and medicines.
Kalari chikitsa is related to Ayurveda and Siddhavaidya, two larger traditional Indian medicine systems. They all share a similar philosophy and approach. However, Kalari chikitsa has its own distinctive practices, treatments, and medicines.
For the Kalaripayattu warriors, Kalari chikitsa was vital for survival on the battlefield. They used Kalari chikitsa to:
- Treat the injuries sustained during rigorous training or combat
- Treat the conditions that affected their performance abilities
- Prevent injuries and prepare their bodies for training or combat
- Improve their skills by increasing strength and flexibility
Warrior healer
The specialty of these treatments is that they can only be practiced by a Kalaripayattu master and their senior students. In this ancient warrior tradition, the martial art and healing art can’t be separated.
Kalari massages
As a practical manual therapy, massage is a primary element of Kalari chikitsa. The two types of massage are Kalari marma massage and Chavutti thirummal.
Kalari marma massage
Kalari marma massage is from Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition. This ancient warrior massage was specially developed to treat and prevent injuries and pain-related conditions.
Recommended for
- Sports injuries
- Musculoskeletal injuries and imbalances
- Acute and chronic pain
- Muscle and joint pain and stiffness
- Back, neck, shoulder and knee pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Repetitive strain injuries
Chavutti thirummal Kalari foot massage
Chavutti thirummal is from Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition. This ancient warrior massage was specially developed to increase flexibility, agility and strength.
Recommended for
- Athletes
- Martial artists
- Dancers
- Yoga practitioners
- Performing artists
Kalaripayattu training
Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art of Kerala. Master Biju Nair teaches at our school, Australian School of Kalaripayattu.
Kalaripayattu develops the body and mind through a powerful flowing practice. It is a comprehensive system that was originally designed to create an expert warrior.
More about Kalari chikitsa
Marma in Kalari chikitsa
Marma applications are an important part of our Kalari treatments for injuries and pain-related conditions. Our method of marma applications comes from Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition.
Why traditional medicine making is part of Kalaripayattu training
Herbal medicine has always been a part of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. For a Kalaripayattu student, traditional medicine making is an integral element of their physical and mental training.
Kalari chikitsa as a sports medicine
For the warriors of Kerala, Kalari chikitsa was vital for survival on the battlefield. Today, while no longer on the battlefield, Kalari students still use these treatments to support the strenuous training required to master their art.
- 0424 939 130
- Book online
- 30-32 Nandala Drive, Tanah Merah, Queensland
- info@kalariayurveda.com.au
© 2013-2025 Kalari Ayurveda Centre and Australian School of Kalaripayattu ABN 25 024 709 165. Website by Belinda Nair.