Devotional warrior: the path of bodhidharma
Weekly Kalaripayattu classes, in-person workshops and online conversations on the links between Yoga, Kalaripayattu, Chinese martial arts, and beyond.
An exploration of the interconnections between yoga, kalaripyattu, kung fu, tai chi and other martial arts; ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine; different traditions of Asian massage; India and China.
The symbol and narratives of Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, yogi and martial arts master who travelled to China and influenced the creation of Shaolin Kung Fu are much needed right now. In Asia soft power and cultural tensions between India and China restrict cross-dialogue and exploration of shared ancient heritage in the mind-body practices within these lands.
In western secular life and in the new age spiritual marketplace, a siloed and compartmentalised history has resulted in a partition of yoga and martial arts. Yogis often recoil from martial practices and “aggression” while in their daily warrior stances. Conversely, martial artists dismiss yoga as too soft, performative and irrelevant to their training, while their bodies erode away over time, lacking structural foundation and resilience. Yoga shalas and martial arts dojos often remain a world away from each other.
This modern gap between yoga and martial arts has rendered both sides incomplete and their respective practitioners lacking. Both historical evidence and scattered current examples attest to the value of interconnected health cultivation and martial systems.
The Devotional Warrior platform is dedicated to reconnecting what has become separated across these traditions. Comparison of both similarities in (predominantly Indian and Chinese) practices, practitioner intention and body morphology features alongside contrasts of key differences. This will proceed via the creation of articles and instructional videos, together with the sharing of articles and videos from other platforms.
Social Media Platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/devotional.warrior
https://www.instagram.com/devotional.warrior?igsh=a3o5MzdiMjJxaDhw&utm_source=qr
https://www.tiktok.com/@devotional.warrio?_t=8kNgBOwOUrp&_r=1
X/Twitter: @devotionwarrior
WEEKLY KALARIPAYATTU CLASSES:
Weekly Kalaripayattu (Kalari Fkow) classes in Oxford! Every Tuesday, 5:15-6:15pm at Prana Yoga Oxford (Cowley Road Studio). Book here: https://www.pranayogaoxford.com/cowley-road-studio-schedule
WORKSHOPS:
Look out too for in-person workshops for yoga and martial arts practitioners to explore these interconnections in an embodied way.
Get in touch directly to arrange a workshop in your location (retreat centre, yoga or martial arts studio). Giles Yeates is a kung fu and tai chi instructor, and has been approved by the Marari Kalaripayattu & Yoga Centre in Kerala, India, to teach the Meythari level of Kalaripayattu.
The symbol and narratives of Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, yogi and martial arts master who travelled to China and influenced the creation of Shaolin Kung Fu are much needed right now. In Asia soft power and cultural tensions between India and China restrict cross-dialogue and exploration of shared ancient heritage in the mind-body practices within these lands.
In western secular life and in the new age spiritual marketplace, a siloed and compartmentalised history has resulted in a partition of yoga and martial arts. Yogis often recoil from martial practices and “aggression” while in their daily warrior stances. Conversely, martial artists dismiss yoga as too soft, performative and irrelevant to their training, while their bodies erode away over time, lacking structural foundation and resilience. Yoga shalas and martial arts dojos often remain a world away from each other.
This modern gap between yoga and martial arts has rendered both sides incomplete and their respective practitioners lacking. Both historical evidence and scattered current examples attest to the value of interconnected health cultivation and martial systems.
The Devotional Warrior platform is dedicated to reconnecting what has become separated across these traditions. Comparison of both similarities in (predominantly Indian and Chinese) practices, practitioner intention and body morphology features alongside contrasts of key differences. This will proceed via the creation of articles and instructional videos, together with the sharing of articles and videos from other platforms.
Social Media Platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/devotional.warrior
https://www.instagram.com/devotional.warrior?igsh=a3o5MzdiMjJxaDhw&utm_source=qr
https://www.tiktok.com/@devotional.warrio?_t=8kNgBOwOUrp&_r=1
X/Twitter: @devotionwarrior
WEEKLY KALARIPAYATTU CLASSES:
Weekly Kalaripayattu (Kalari Fkow) classes in Oxford! Every Tuesday, 5:15-6:15pm at Prana Yoga Oxford (Cowley Road Studio). Book here: https://www.pranayogaoxford.com/cowley-road-studio-schedule
WORKSHOPS:
Look out too for in-person workshops for yoga and martial arts practitioners to explore these interconnections in an embodied way.
Get in touch directly to arrange a workshop in your location (retreat centre, yoga or martial arts studio). Giles Yeates is a kung fu and tai chi instructor, and has been approved by the Marari Kalaripayattu & Yoga Centre in Kerala, India, to teach the Meythari level of Kalaripayattu.
Forthcoming Devotional Warrior Events:
