Indian Clubs - Visit to Suria Akhara, Varanasi

[@chadpaul7673]

Wow, these guys work out hard! I've never seen these Indian exercises, and I'll bet they are a true workout.

[@GunasekaranElamaran]

I am from Tamilnadu... I quit gym long back and started akhada style training . Worth it..

[@manidwivedi3688]

Bolo Siyawar Ram Chandra ki Jai, Bajrang Bali ki Jai bolo parwati pateye Har Har Mahadev

[@SRU1182]

Just read the comments. .its a bit unfair to judge these guys in the video on basis of their physique or the exercises they are doing. .am from varanasi and had the privilege to know some guys who were regulars in these type of local Gyms..first of all these places are absolutely free of cost and u get trained by the seniors of the exercising group..the guys u see in video are simple ordinary family men and students who probably earn close to 300 usd a month in small time professions or business. The exercises being done are not with a purpose of winning some professional bout of body building or wrestling but rather to stick to an age old healthy lifestyle and maintaining discipline in their day to day lives...And on the technical piece would just like to mention that Indian or Hindu wrestling and exercising techniques with Gada Jodi squats push ups etc being shown in the video put lot of emphasis on strength and stability of spine right from neck down to waist..the idea is to strengthen the core of body i.e. spine. Hands and legs become stronger just by themselves with these exercises.And lastly most probably all the guys there would be vegetarians depend solely on milk for their nutrition.

[@Wolkowinski]

+Sanjeev Upadhyay Well said Sanjeev. Thank you for commenting.

[@caducoloco]

u right mate! beautiful speach!

[@iwantyourcookiesnow]

***** love your Chiropractor

[@yajnaamakusa8786]

+Scott Rikkard From what I've seen, modern bodybuilders know what they're doing. You can't build a bodybuilder's physique just by accident. It takes a lot of physiological knowledge. Free weights build core and spine strength too.

[@PuerRidcully]

+Sanjeev Upadhyay Compared to average american (meaning obese) they look good indeed.

[@duffmcduffee]

Great stuff here sir, thank you for getting this excellent footage, and thank you to the wrestlers who so generously displayed some of their classic training.

[@musardus]

holy cow! there are a lot of cows! India is a interesting nation. They have their unique culture, many gods, tons of people, a lot of arts and cows

[@theheretic6739]

this is what gives rise superhuman strength. The people here are not just lifting weight, they are building flexibility and strength to swing a heavy melee weapon in full scale assault and making muscles having the stamina to do so continuously. We Indians used another piece of weapon in war ......which was lighter but was way more sharper......the Battle axe. Maces were for breaking bones behind metal armors and Battle axe halved a body in two in one strike or made easy way with the head.

[@hassanmunir9338]

it's name hanuaman exercise

[@rohanofelvenpower5566]

+Suddhatma Mukherjee also they are earthing. power of chi!

[@1986bubb]

Guys with hatred comments about them being in undies about their physical appearance and etc Its a strength and stamina training for traditional sand wrestling they are not body builders Most of them are vegetarians and do not drink alcho smoke or even not allowed to have GF or masturbate until such and such age they gets training to stay calm and eat healthy Now with their underwear its traditional name is LANGOT its a thick and strong fabric hand made very tight fit underwear which prevents hernia danger due to heavy liftings India does have mat wrestling rings and academies as well but it cost more So average village guys goes to their local rings called AKHARA Everybody have their views i read few comments where people asked frequent questions so here are few answers according to my knowledge

[@the_horror_fan]

Thanks for sharing Paul. Your Bruce Wayne training, fully documented, are the best!

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks james, glad you enjoyed it

[@paintur68]

These guys are in amazing shape, and look at their equipment! Wow.....amazing exercises.

[@Wolkowinski]

Their equipment is basic, and a lot home made, and they have an amazing iron will to train hard.

[@Reinhardt4444]

This is definitely interesting to think about and thanks for the video.

[@babuvikashyadav6861]

❤my old memories 😊

[@yajnaamakusa8786]

Indian wrestling bouts go on for a long time. That's why these are all endurance exercises. They give you some strength, but mostly endurance. If you want just strength, Schwarzenegger and bodybuilder types are ahead in their methodology. This is wrestling training not a bodybuilding gym. It's strength for a specific sport.

[@bacfu]

Great post thank you.its always to see how other martial artist train all over the world.

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for the comment, you can access more info at www.indianclubs.com.au All the best. Paul

[@mattjohnson582]

That was amazing! I've never seen anything like this in my life! Thank you!

[@Wolkowinski]

Hey Matt, Glad you enjoyed the video, it is truly another world, real old school training.

[@mattjohnson582]

I'm getting into old school stuff after discovering how useful kettlebell training has been. I already get people staring at me in the park when I use them, I wonder what they'd think of Indian Clubs!

[@isa4030ro]

This is really excellent Paul. When this is shared by all the enthusiasts around the world, it will positively further club use and revive almost lost glory of this very excellent form of exercise. Very good on you Paul.

[@TraceyFreitas]

I especially like their transitions btwn hands and exercises

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks Russ, it's a pleasure to share the video, and there is a lot to learn from it.

[@Wolkowinski]

Tracey Freitas Hi Tracey, yes the hand transitions are really good, did you pick up on the gada floor launch & swing close to the end?

[@themeditationtimerchannel3357]

old school. very nice video

[@clarkkent9606]

These are very very ancient techniques and these people are lower middle class Indians. The upper middle class and rich body builders go to modern gyms. The great gama wrestler used these very techniques to wipe out all challengers in Europe when he went there in early 1900s. Google the great gama.

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment. You are absolutely right, the interesting thing is that I have been contacted by many Indians, who have started training with a Gada in particular since publishing this video. Thanks for the Great Gama link, the guy was awesome.

[@nicocontreras5366]

I have the money but those comercial gyms doesn´t have the mityc this has...I guess for Judo will be useful too

[@s.k.chaubey8981]

इस अखाड़े पर हम भी कुश्ती लडे हैं। पन्ने भैया ,आजमगढ ,जौनपुर बलीया के कुछ पहलवान थे शान्ता पहलवान आज 30साल पहले की बात है।

[@adhvaryumalayanilpundareek9068]

paul saheb,thanks a lot for such an informative video,and the regard you displayed for the native culture is very much appreciated,thanks once again to you sir.

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Adhvaryu, thank you for commenting. Traditional Indian physical training is a never ending source of inspiration to me. Do you train in this way?

[@adhvaryumalayanilpundareek9068]

Paul Taras Wolkowinski Yes sir,I do.But I've restricted my training to Hindu Squats,dands,Surya namskar and Yogic version of Malla-Krida.

[@vishnuvishnu7929]

They are natural body builders without steroids and protein powders❤❤❤

[@rajprashant6882]

I am physics student . The entire tension created in this movement is similar to pull over As well it increase mobility and shoulder strength . These people are doing from childhood and not getting any problem . U have to learn first which muscles are used here not joint . They are putting tension on muscles not in joint .

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Raj, You will appreciate that there has to be a PIVOT point as you swing the Gada pendulum which is the ELBOW joint. The hand and the forearm become part of the Gada handle during a swing. This is the secret of how heavy weights are swung.

[@SunilKeshari]

ॐ mantra om

[@juan33267]

Great disciplined athletes. I am sure that they have a spirit to match their physiques.

[@xlasvegan7x]

Cool video Paul..I'm still practicing clubs and macebell per your tutorials. .your club swinging is the best I've seen on KZbin.

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment, and glad you find my videos useful in your training. Clubs and mace are very addictive.

[@rahul0495]

More than 2000year old stuff...and I get to watch it here....cool... ;-)

[@mohdshariq3062]

Sada sakahari swasth jiwan sudh aatma

[@EmperorAdrian]

I think I'm gonna add this to my routine

[@richarri]

This is fantastic and thanks for sharing.

[@kingkong8974]

those movements look very martial arts like. I bet it's to get your muscles ready to do cuts with

[@dinocarpineti7758]

I want to come to varanasi and attend ur centre

[@juikja]

I love all your videos.. I will make a macebell like the one you made using a ceramic pot ...thanks for sharing these great videos

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment, please send me a photograph of your Clay Pot Gada, and I will post it on my web site. Email to: [e-mail]

[@RikthDcruze]

my god these guys r crazy strong!!!

[@Ab_someone]

Anybody wonder why Indian wrestlers have a wider abdominal region.. I was thinking that gives them a tactical edge when the opponents wants to graple them around the waist, that they won't be able to may be?

[@BobJones-hf7bt]

Amazing work out.

[@JaiRamJaiRamJaiRam108]

Government should encourage them.

[@98percentGorilla]

Really great and inspiring film. Thanks. How do they make their gada maces? I'm guessing its bamboo and concrete but what mould do they use for that shape? Do these guys rope climb and use the pulley and rope to lift a bag of rocks like at Hanuman?

[@Wolkowinski]

They use clay pots for moulds. I have just finished making a gada using their method, am going to make another one and film the process so you can see how it's done. Suria Akhara did not do rope climbing, I went to Hanuman Akhara in Dehli and have video of rope climbing plus other activities.

[@bloodhyena]

great exercise!

[@harikrishnank913]

Im actually curious about the weight of gadha and the ring like structure hang on neck....pls someone reply,willing to make them with the help of my carpenter friend.

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Harikrishnan K, I am not sure, the Gada is probably 20kg, and the ring maybe 25kg. I am not 100% sure. If you want to make a Gada, you should start with 8/10kg maximum, if you go heavier you may hurt yourself. Learn the technique first is the big secret.

[@luisbjerre9035]

I wonder how to make a Home-made gada

[@Wolkowinski]

Have a look here www.indianclubs.com.au/gada-mace/home-made-clay-pot-gada-mace/

[@joeythekickboxer6110]

hi there! I'm fascinating by this ancient workout training..AWESOME!! by the way, the techniques and movement does have similarities of a weapons movements

[@Wolkowinski]

mohammad hanis Thanks for commenting Mohammad. And YES there are a lot of similarities, bear in mind that much of this equipment started of as weapons and got modified with time for training purposes.

[@TheSeanoops]

Thats impressive

[@didiervidry7687]

It looks like CHI ISHI of goju ryu karaté from Okinawa. Magnifique wrestlers !

[@sgtkm]

great video

[@lorenzociceri]

Thank you so much for you videos !

[@Ab_someone]

People hitting inappropriately design gymansiums for our weather should get a membership in these akhara or Garadi. This is how you work out in a land that has plenty of sun light, good diversity of gut bacteria in the environment. What the hell are our youth influenced by shitty bollywood actors doing in fancy glass, steel & synthetic floor laid closed off halls. That's freaking unhealthy. This reminds me of spartan from the movie 300 😢 please save our traditions.

[@leckyman2010]

even though they dont necessarily look like they are in great shape the more experienced guys seem to have a more robust kind of core. I really enjoyed this vid thanks for posting

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment, you are right, I don't think they strive for the ripped look of the west in their appearance, however these guys are unbelievably tough both mentally and physically.

[@richarri]

They don't necessary look like they are in great shape?? How should being in great shape look? You've been watching too many Baywatch beach bod TV scenes.

[@leckyman2010]

richarri yeah look maybe i could have chosen my words more carefully and said something like, ' western' or "Mens health" or even "conventional" great shape, but my comment wasn't malicious so try and forgive me for my cultural or social idiosyncrasies, i just meant they didnt have that ripped thing happening and they definatley looked more rotund ,Thats all. sorry if offended you sensabilities.I dont watch baywatch.At least not since Pammy left.

[@DavidKing325]

Joseph Limbrick Your 100% right. I traveled around China. Let me tell you, western people have all sorts of idea of what strong should look like. That is all just Hollywood manure. All show and no go. These people are acting on thousands of years of their history. Not decades of magazine research.

[@alishalimbrick190]

yea i used the word necessarily, to covermy bases here but with text its very hard to commuicate your tone and feeling, on top of that you dont want to write an essay explaining every little thing.so its easey for people to get offended I guess, I can understand that. I mean yeah , these ARE in great shape , thy just dont fit the conventional western mould is all i meant. I wish I had the money to go and get some physio on myshoulder so i could take up this mace thing.

[@RameshSingh-lb4pn]

So pity, Government must build some better infrastructure for them. Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi carry the privilege of oldest living city on this earth, shattered completely due to the poor governance and filthy politics. Hay Mahadev, save this place.

[@rev1910]

Great video

[@jamesarthur3317]

Very cool video Paul. Would love to visit this Akhara when I go back in September (on my own without a tour group) but it looks a nightmare to find. Is it near any known guest houses, or maybe any specific ghat? I did get to visit an Akhara next to Tulsi ghat but couldn't stay long as our tour group just didn't seem interested. Thanks for sharing this video. James

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks James, the guide that I use in Varanasi will not be there in September. You can try contacting facebook.com/gyanshankul.singh. He is actively involved in an Akhara. I will be meeting him myself in August. Be prepared to pay him for his efforts. Let me know how you get on.

[@jamesarthur3317]

Hey Paul, thanks for replying so quickly. I will message him nearer my stay, maybe he will be able to help (I don't mind paying him for his valuable time), Thanks again - will let you know how I get on.

[@draconian45]

This is awesome.

[@garyyoung755]

Good training. Good video.

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks 👍

[@ravikrishnarpan]

Amazing , Jai Hindu

[@karatemikepatolino]

Amazing footage! I asked my karate master Seikichi Iha about chi'shi stone training and he responded 'ah, go to health club, it's easier'

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment and forgive the late reply. Maybe you should see if there is a coach in your area that knows how to use CHI'SHI. Seems like your coach likes the easy way out. Difficulty is good.

[@gauravkumar-pq7sm]

Legs ki exercise tagdi hai inki. Bus core wali exercise missing hai.... Else everything is worth praise.

[@parthupadhyay1308]

Bhai m bhi varanasi m hu isi akhada m karta hu

[@kumarshantanusingh8893]

Bhai is akhare ke location bata do mai bhi banaras se hi hu.

[@fianobergin4137]

Are even the more muscular, large guy's vegetarian? Do we know what their typical diet is? Thanks.

[@kanwarsohal187]

+Fian O'Bergin Search for Sushil kumar and yogeshwer dutt.

[@coorghockey]

Yes vegans are huge n muscular

[@dheerajmishra360]

jai ho

[@sectarypb2922]

I already started gada or gurj practice in home I can’t find round stone so I make it wich cement or mortal

[@BhagyanagarRE]

City of Lord Shiva..

[@oscillatingblade8145]

Hi Paul, as a complete beginner to Gada training (am using a makeshift light weight), what do I need to look out for to ensure I'm not wrecking my body with bad form?

[@antwnishero9926]

good afternoon i from Greece my grandpa was oil wrestler and wear pants from buffalo skin....however i see more workout videos is amazing but with this moves the body dont pain?

[@Wolkowinski]

Thank you for your comments. You will not suffer injury if you start slowly and carefully. Much better than the modern day gym.

[@fudoshin009]

***** as for as injury pretty sure. just that they practice on ground (sand) is very good for joints and spine. they practice "naked" and barefoot what is also important and part of it...it is perfect example of tao: from soft to hard :) when i was young i also practiced similar exercises as a part of martial art training and although it looks quite sissy it is very good and robust training method with great results...

[@sanghipranit]

Beautiful swings but why would anyone play such a sad love song during exercise!

[@gaurav6121986]

This is really awesome video

[@reitak18]

Hey Paul, thanks for the great vid! Do u know the weight of the gadas?

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Rei, I picked many of them up and would say that they ranged from 8kg to 15kg. There were no scales available.

[@philwindsor2884]

The Neck nal looks like you could do yourself some damage :O loving the exercises in general though :D

[@alexlaukr8414]

are those gadas just bamboo and concrete or is there another way to fix the head to the mace

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Alexander, I have written instructions on how to make a bamboo gada with modifications to secure the head to the handle. My gada is a year old now, I swing it every day, and haven't had any problems with it. www.indianclubs.com.au/portfolio/home-made-clay-pot-gada-mace/

[@alexlaukr8414]

thanks

[@darshanmali758]

Super exercise

[@2sandyu]

Hi Paul, I myself have used Gada for long time, thanks for sharing this video. I however looking for a video for exercise called in indian language as Chakri Jor a type of Indian Pushup, do you know or have it. Thanks again,

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Sandy, I am a great fan of the Gada, even more so after my recent visit to Varanasi. I'm afraid I haven't heard of Chakri Jor, I will look out for it though, and try and find out some information.

[@2sandyu]

Paul Taras Wolkowinski ok thank you

[@karmaleader1797]

Sandy M its very easy bro ! u have to just while sitting for dands rotate one of your leg

[@2sandyu]

Karma Leader appriciate if you could share something as video etc or link that would be nice

[@Wolkowinski]

Sushant Bhargav Can you pleas clarify what you mean by "What's the process?"

[@sectarypb2922]

What a beautiful songs behind

[@argharaha2097]

Badiya hai Bhaiyaji

[@gabrielolmedo9000]

I have a long peace of iron that I use as a ghada, it only wheights 6 kilos, so I do 5 series of 31 reps (I like impair numbers). As it is hard to me to get a real ghada mace, I would like to know what can I use as a workout tool that is the closest to a real ghada, because that 6 kilos peace of iron is getting too light for me.

[@Wolkowinski]

Hi Gabriel, Go to my website, I have instructions for you there so you can make your own authentic Gada. www.indianclubs.com.au/gada-mace/home-made-clay-pot-gada-mace/

[@Alhoneydrizo]

thank you for posting your video. I would like to one day travel to varanasi and workout there. How much would it cost to live out there for a few months? A simple place with a cot, I dont need a/c Im a simple person.

[@Wolkowinski]

I am going back to Varanasi in July and August this year, if you look around you can find cheap accommodation. Day to day living is not expensive.

[@wnmme]

Varanasi is a very cheap city for foreigners, I did my collage from BHU Varanasi, you can try the cheap rooms near ghats

[@Alhoneydrizo]

thank you sir I will keep that in mind, Im going to workout and and also for the bhang.

[@sammythewarrior]

Absolutely amazing!! Real warrior workout!!! Unlike today's steroid junkies!!!!north Indian warriors!!!!

[@sickmyduck11]

haha sad songs of kkishore kumar in the background....

[@nakonako5482]

/fit/ sent me here.

[@jblack1485]

How much do those things weigh?

[@Wolkowinski]

The Gada Mace are between 12 and 20kgs. The clubs start at 6kg each.

[@andrewcrause5683]

What are the orange things they are squatting with called?

[@Wolkowinski]

Hand Nal.

[@kaisersoze4929]

So what about the shoulder rotator cuffs? Are they still intact? I study Kinesiology and work out too, but those look like it'll defo fuck up your shoulders!

[@rooky3526]

Yoy have eyes, use them eh? I know nothing of kinesiology but you tell me why this form of exercise persist until today after hundreds of years and had produce one of the, if not, the best catch wrestlers of all time in the Great Gama.

[@rajprashant6882]

I am physics student . The entire tension created in this movement is similar to pull over As well it increase mobility and shoulder strength . These people are doing from childhood and not getting any problem . U have to learn first which muscles are used here not joint . They are putting tension on muscles not in joint .

[@gajanandkumar3229]

I am coming to baranasi Surya akhada from two months later

[@himuyashiro8218]

hello! please tell me the proper way to grip the handles

[@Wolkowinski]

Please follow my tutorials www.indianclubs.com.au/gada-mace/gada-mace-tutorials/

[@himuyashiro8218]

thank you for this info

[@noraajagger4239]

just watching that video i need to hit the hamam for the afternoon!

[@goldstandardpersonalgrowth]

this looks awesome...but also looks like some of these club exercises could wreck the rotator cuff

[@Wolkowinski]

It is quite the opposite, the club exercises strengthen the shoulders, arms and wrists, there are huge stabilising benefits for the shoulder girdle and rotator cuff. Obviously you have to work up to the weights seen in this video.

[@Numira]

Why using a motorbike when you are as fast as on foot?. Can't you park them ouside the tight streets or do people steal them immedietly. Btw. impressive training. I always had relatively strong physics naturally,would like to training. but my back is dmg cause of the seating in bureaus and now psychic is also hurt, and im happy to go at least outside.

[@astroman0500]

3:33 perfect squats!

[@Wolkowinski]

Thanks for your comment.

[@astroman0500]

you're welcome(?) :)

[@mekhbahadurkhan280]

suria akhara varanasi me kis side me hai

[@darshanvm2995]

super

[@igorbog88]

that neck nal looks dangerous the way you throw it off

[@Wolkowinski]

The guy lifting knew exactly how to load the nal, use it and remove it. Pretty impressive & amazing to see live.

[@mohamedy6164]

Is it hard to train with clothes on

[@pspv7644]

can I get 20 kilo one,if so wt would be cost

[@rajprashant6882]

Use cement and a bamboo

[@jonnyshaikh7123]

7. 33 this workout is not well because your neck will injured

[@saktimaansaktimaan7146]

Hindustan is great

[@Ab_someone]

My hyperacusis would killed me in that narrow street 😲

[@dasipalwangym2297]

Yo desi sarir bhai jo ban jiya so ban jiya gym Tare na hai

[@lakshmikannan4412]

I like the kusthi I join

[@picvsso6025]

they are in good shape considering the scarcity of protein in most indian cuisine & hindu culture

[@krishnvatshindu]

Because steroids are part of western diet and abrahamic culture.

[@rakeshgitm]

pulses and soya chunks contain more protein than meat.

[@prakharmsharma1]

+Rakesh Kumar wrong

[@seasalt1922]

PICVSSO .. milk and milk products are their main source of protein . some of the hardcores consume upto 3 liters of muilk daily in addition to cheese and ghee ( clarified butter ) . black grams , almonds aswell .these guys work from 2 to 3 hours... and more professional akhadas have ppls wrking out almost 5 hrs a day..

[@AK-wg5do]

Nope man .... Indian cuisine is not protein deficient, it has become so due to adultration, inflation (due high population- demand and supply gap), many are not able to afford good quality food and in sufficient quantity....

[@HempreetSingh]

Those who are saying- ki shoulder rotator cuff kharab ho jaenge ya ho hate hai ise. Fyi pehle karke dekho mugdar. All your shoulder pain, sound with disappear and you will feel power in ur shoulder. Traditional exercise is best. But if we talk about their weight training like dumbell curls they need to correct position. Rest akhada training is best in all terms.

[@rajprashant6882]

Yes brother these exercises are born in India thats why it dont have so much experimental proof . Otherswise if these exercises were from west then this will be famous .

[@rajprashant6882]

Mujhe mehsoos hua mughdar kaafi achi mobility dega aur upper body growth isliye aaj mai bna rha hu cement dande se

[@eternalspirit3638]

Gada is a weapon, just like sword, spear. I wonder how did they train to fight with this. Looks these movements are just not sufficient. Think ancient. (Think Hanuman and Bheema).

[@iwantyourcookiesnow]

+Eternal Spirit some giganto weapons are used to attack horses or even war elephants

[@AK-wg5do]

+ Eternal Spirit.....You are just looking at one aspect of it ........ The Akhara workout is one of the many stages in making of a real warrior........This art is primarily meant for physical strength and keeps fit and functional, Preparing the warriors for Hand-to-Hand combat etc........Now think of a person practicing with such heavy maces and building real strength over the years of practice, wouldn't it be easy for that person to hold a lighter sword and fight with it for longer periods (if someone survives that long)....... As far as the real weapons skill is concerned, there is another knowledge/vidya for it and its called "Sanatan Shastra Vidya" that solely concentrates on weapons such as swords, spears, axes, maces etc.

[@sectarypb2922]

My favourite song playing in this video

[@Ledprostate]

After this we go to store and get you all some pants!

[@merfsmurf2167]

How about Sumo wrestlers or most MMA fighters in booty shorts, dumbass? Study the exercises instead of their goodies.

[@premm666]

u can't practice this in pants dude.

[@ChinchillupaGuy]

Screw pants!