Sthanu-vrata, or the single leg stance in martial arts

The single leg stance is commonly known as one of modern yoga asanas — Vrikshasana, or Tree pose. Lesser-known is the origin of this stance: it traces back to Sthanu-vrata, an ancient practice of asceticism which embodies key pillars of Indian culture.

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Dance, battle and ritual

The phenomenon of Indian military practices cannot be understood and explained in the context of modern views on Oriental martial art or self-defense in general.

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Indian staff

The North Indian staff — lakri (लकड़ी or لکڑی, meaning
«a wood») — is a powerful bamboo stave or stick. Its length varies
from 150 to 170 cm but ideally is selected individually so that the staff
reaches the height of the earlobe of the owner.

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Two talwars

There are quite a few historical evidences on the use of two talwars simultaneously in a real battle in India. In addition, a certain part of such descriptions are information, which, from a critical point of view, can be regarded as a poetic or mythological glorification of what happened in reality, and of course the description of fighting in such non-standard heroical manner is a glorification. Read more

Fighting Ascetics

«…who from going quite naked, close shaved and well rubbed with oil are so slippery that no one can seize them while they force their way with a dagger pointed at both ends and held by the middle» (from the description of the 19th century) Read more

Daggers in Indian martial arts

The weapons that were purchased by collectors in the 19-20th centuries at the Indian markets were certainly typologically similar to real weapons, although manufactured as souvenirs and handicrafts. But the quality of information the customer learnt about the name, features, and origin of a weapon type depended on the seller`s knowledge of the weapon. The provided information must have been variable depending on the place of purchase and language spoken by the seller.

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Manmal

Gratefully to Andrew Popov, who once asked an old Indian antiquarian and seller of ancient sabers if he is able to use them

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Indian technique with a sword

«In some respects it is the most ancient system of swordplay in the world»

B.Bramley
Cold Steel, and Indian Swordsmanship, Journal of the United Service Institution of India, 1899 Read more

Military techniques (battlefield skills) and schools of martial arts

The analysis of the available sources, written at the time of the described events or around that time, helps to reveal an interesting pattern. In the time of active war operations with short truce periods on the scale of the universal history we can speak only about the existence of military skills and traditions, that kept them up.

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Akhara

The notion «akhara» has several meanings: a sect, a group, something like a sub-unit and a military community, a sports gymnasium, a place for trainings. The time and different historical circumstances added new meanings to this word.

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