Kalari Animal Poses Full Sequence - Ashta Vadivu
Inspired by creatures of earth and sky, these eight postures pulse with life, opening our marma points and bridging our raw strength with agile grace. Memory and motion converge—a river of stances, once separate, now surge as one - the full Ashtavadivu sequence.
Ashtavadivu – अष्टवडिवु – അഷ്ടവഡിവ്
The eight foundational animal postures of Kalaripayattu, are inspired by the strength, agility, and instincts of nature’s most dynamic creatures. Each posture represents a unique energy:
- Varaham (വരാഹം / वराह) – Wild Boar’s relentless force
- Gajam (ഗജം / गज) – Elephant’s grounded power
- Marjaram (മാർജ്ജാരം / मार्जार) – Cat’s silent precision
- Simham (സിംഹം / सिंह) – Lion’s ferocity
- Sarpam (സർപ്പം / सर्प) – Serpent’s fluid coils
- Kukkuda (കുക്കുട / कुक्कुट) – Rooster’s sharp alertness
- Mayil (മയിൽ / मयूर) – Peacock’s poised balance
- Aswam (അശ്വം / अश्व) – Horse’s explosive speed
After mastering these postures individually, we can now unite them into a single, seamless flow—opening our marma points, harmonising breath with movement, and transcending frozen forms. This is our first fluid sequence. It is our first attempt to play with discipline and meet our spontaneity. We become mirrors of the wild grace of nature itself.
Find the animal poses here:
