One of the many ways

One of the many ways to improve focus and commitment is through practicing yoga. A few mornings ago, during a strenuous yoga pose, my brother struggled and slumped onto the mat. However, my mind was clear and focused, allowing me to maintain a straight spine and even breath. This was a significant moment for me, as it hadn’t happened in a long time.

In that moment, I could hear Shaji’s voice echoing in my ears. He was shouting at me from across a large room, urging me to relax and keep my back straight. This memory took me back to the year 2013 when I had just moved to Chennai. I had come across a unique space near Besant Nagar beach, which I believed to be the studio of the groundbreaking classical dancer Chandralekha.

Chandralekha had reinterpreted Bharatanatyam through the lens of kalarippayattu, an ancient martial art form. Shaji, a practitioner and teacher of kalarippayattu, was one of the performers in a piece choreographed by Chandralekha that I had witnessed. Intrigued, I decided to explore the possibility of learning from them, and to my delight, they offered classes to beginners like me.

Shaji, being a traditional and meticulous teacher, would meticulously arrange students in a seemingly random order during class. Looking back, I realized that this was to ensure that he could observe and correct each student, even with a large class size. He rarely spoke, except to give instructions in Malayalam. Similar to the Japanese teaching style, he expected us to watch, follow, and execute the movements.

One of the many ways Each session began with a rigorous 30-minute warm-up consisting of continuous movements and kicks. By the end of it, I would be gasping for air. On one of those initial days, as I struggled to catch my breath, I slumped against the wall and audibly exhaled. It was in that moment that Shaji shouted at me.

After attending around 15 sessions, I realized that most of the other students were seasoned dancers or full-time Kalari students. I felt that unless I committed to pursuing kalarippayattu as an art form beyond the 90-minute classes, I would be disrespecting it. It was evident that the instructors were not motivated by money, as they charged a meager fee of 500 per month. Given my recent investment in a business, I knew I couldn’t dedicate more time to it.

Nevertheless, the lessons I learned during those few sessions were invaluable. Firstly, I understood that commitment goes beyond merely showing up for a class. True commitment requires managing one’s energy throughout the day, ensuring full engagement during the designated time. Merely attending regularly amidst a busy schedule is not a true commitment.

Secondly, I realized the importance of breath in managing mental and physical energy. Since 2007, I had studied and practiced pranayama and breath control. However, I had failed to incorporate it into my other workouts like weight-training and yoga. Over time, I discovered that breath is everything when it comes to managing energy. During challenging poses, I focused on maintaining a steady breath, exhaling fully rather than taking deep inhales. This helped me measure time and focus on my breathing, keeping my core tight and my spine straight. By avoiding slumping and maintaining focus, I was prepared for the next pose without losing momentum.

In various sports and activities that require sustained energy and concentration, athletes demonstrate intense focus and stillness. Their gaze is fixed, their mind and body completely fused. This level of concentration is necessary for sprinting, swimming, archery, and other sports. Even in longer-format sports like cricket or football, players must avoid losing focus and energy after achieving milestones.

The videos of Maradona, Stokes, and Djokovic exemplify this unwavering focus. They all demonstrate controlled breathing, core stability, and a straight spine. Martial arts practitioners also understand the importance of a tight core and straight spine, which is why they tie a cloth around the waist.

In conclusion, my brief experience with kalarippayattu taught me valuable lessons about commitment, focus, and energy management. Yoga and breath control played significant roles in achieving these goals. Whether in sports or other aspects of life, maintaining focus, even breath, a tight core, and a straight spine can lead to optimal performance.