Maippayattu : The Body Exercise

Maippayattu or the body exercises form the foundation of all otherexercises in Kalarippayattu. These calisthenics endow one with and agile and supple body, a graceful gait, stamina, strength, ready and quick reflexes of the limbs, balance of the body and stability of foot work.Through the exaggerated engagement of the joints and muscle groups one learns the different stances, pivots, leaps, trots, kicks, blocks and cuts in Kalarippayattu.

KOLTHARI - Exercises with the wooden weapon

This contains a series of exercises with wooden weapons of different lengths and shapes. Various techniques employed in defending and attacking with them are practiced.

Kettukari: - Generally five or five-and-a-half feet long canes are used in practicing these exercises done in pairs. Practitioners are taught to defend attacks aimed at head, chin, temples, torso, ribs and legs. There are solo swinging exercises also known as Pandeeran Veeshal using canes.

Muchan (Short staff): The short staff (Cheruvati) is normally about three spans long. This is a highly manageable and handy weapon, and when wielded with speed it can be effectively employed for defence and attack. Practiced in pairs, the short staff is wielded at close quarters with great speed which helps one develop concentration and lightning reflexes.

Otta:- Defence and attack using the two feet long, double curved, horn like Otta baton are the most advanced in kolthari section. A high degree of physical agility, excellent reflexes, strength and stamina are needed to perform Otta exercises with perfection.

ANGATHARI - Exercises with sharp weapon

The series of exercises using sharp weapons like sword and shield, spear, dagger and Urumi are ncluded in Angathari section.

Valvali (sword swinging): Done singly, the series of exercises in Valvali are ways of brandishing the sword very close to ones body with grace or with force as if attacking opponents around.

Valppayattu (sword and shield): The sword which was considered a very lethal weapon by the combatants of yore all over the world was also glorified to symbolise valour, power and justice. There are many techniques employed in duels taught in Kalarippayattu

Mara Pitichu Kuntha Payattu (Exercise with sword and shield and spear):

Unlike the other exercises in Kalarippayattu done in pairs holding identical weapons, the exercises here are performed using different weapons. One uses sword and shield while the other wields a spear. This is considered an advanced technique of payattu.

The techniques in Verumkai prepare one to defend an opponent's armed or unarmed onslaught and to attack him with bare hands and legs. Various kinds of blocks, cuts, thrusts, kicks, trots, leaps, throws, locks and swinging movements are used to defend attacks.

VERUMKAI - Bare handed defense and attack