The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling and Physical Culture DVDs I & II

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How to Develop Strength, Speed, Power and Stamina using centuries
old exercises from the land where Physical Culture was born

India has a Physical Culture tradition which reaches back thousands of years and, ironically enough, it is this subject on which the least amount of training information can be found.

Once in a while in an old magazine you may be lucky enough to find a few grainy pictures of Indian athletes using traditional implements such as: (Heavy Indian Clubs), Gadas (maces) and Nals (Stone Weights).

In my opinion there isn't a more fascinating collection of training methods, and it is something that I have always been interested in finding more about. To my knowledge there had never been any footage of these ancient training tools in action, that is... until now.

Now You Can See These Ancient Training Arts in Action

I recently ran across an amazing series of DVDs, more documentaries really, where a researcher traveled all over India documenting all of these ancient training methods. While modern "training" in most places bears little resemblance to what people did even a hundred years ago, in India the traditional methods are actually still alive and well.

The Physical Body Volume I is a look at the Dying art of Kushti - Traditional Indian Wrestling Training. Filmed on location, this DVD takes you right to the traditional wrestling Gyms of India where you will see and learn exactly how modern day combat athletes are still utilizing the ancient methods.

A Visit To The Traditional Training Gyms...

At the Gaya Seth Akhara located in Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, you will learn about the three things that the members of this Akhara begin each and every training session with, "Jor," the largest part of the wrestlers training routine, and "Dhakuli" which, when trained correctly, teaches the wrestlers to twist and rotate more effectively to escape moves much easier.

Remember, each guru places the elements of the training program in a different order but the sum total remains the same. You will also learn a rough template of what a wrestler's typical hour-by-hour daily training schedule looks like.

Next, we move on to Old Delhi, where we see how they combine modern and ancient wrestling techniques at Guru Haruman's Akhara one of the most famous Akharas in all of India.

You want feats of Strength?

You've got to see with your own eyes what happens at the Morchali Birbaba Akhara - truly amazing. - 45 kg Heavy Indian Club Swinging, 35 kg bladed Heavy Indian Club Swinging and 38-65 kg Gada(Mace)swinging by a National Champion - and that's just the beginning...

Scenes from The Physical Body I:

Indian Clubs

Gada (Mace) Swinging

Gar Nal - The Stone Wheel

Traditional Bodyweight Exercises

Mallakhamb - The Wrestler's Pillar

See them all in action!

The Physical Body II: Training and the Dangal

The physical Body I turned out to be so popular that director Vincent Giordano followed it up with a second volume which went into even more detail on these ancient training methods.

In Volume II, follow along with footage from training and competition from several different Akharas (traditional training gyms) to follow along with their specific training regimens: First we visit the Northern Railway Akhara in the shadow of the rail yards in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Delhi. There, the young children are given a chance to mold themselves into champions, away from the harsh realities and slim opportunities around them.

Here we get a very realistic view of how the specific workouts are done under the rigorous demands of their Guru. A full daily workout is provided.

Next we visit the Badri Ka Akhara, one of the oldest active Akharas in all of India.

Here we spotlight how this famous Akhara builds its Pehalawan for competition, including being able to watch as they take part in their daily drills. We also examine the art of massage and how it is used by the wrestlers as a form of restoration and recovery.

After that we take a look at the Chandigiram Akhara, home of the legendary wrestler Guru Chandigiram who has become the catalyst for championing the introduction of women's wrestling by sponsoring his own daughters in competition.

The contradiction in lifestyle between the celibate wrestlers and the women introduce a new change in the way an Akhara is run (or possibly can be run) in the future. Watch and learn as the wrestlers demonstrate their daily training regimens as well as an array of wrestling moves and counters.

And lastly, the legendary Hanuman Akhara (which you may remember from Physical Body 1) is revisited to examine one of its champions who discusses his diet and workout.

The use of the traditional Mugdal is also explained in detail.

You'll be right there visiting these ancient gyms where some training methods have not changed for thousands of years (although you'll be surprised at what has)

Watch and Learn Ancient Exercises

You'll be an eyewitness to the methods that these wrestlers have been using for centuries... which means you will also be able to implement them into your own training very easily. You'll be able to see exactly how these wrestlers perform their traditional bodyweight calisthenics, carry out their warm-up drills, and use the traditional training equipment such as Indian clubs and maces. Watching this rare footage leads to a more complete and meaningful understanding of the deeper meanings of physical training and the use of these ancient training tools. Much more than just working out, these training methods are a way of life.

There has simply never been anything like these DVDs before. Whether you are a wrestler yourself, a strength fan, or just someone interested in seeing and learning about unusual strength feats and training, these DVDs are a must see!

Train hard,
John Wood signature

John Wood

The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling and Physical Culture DVDs: Volumes I & II

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