Actor and martial arts master Vidyut Jammwal, famous for his dominance over Kalaripayattu, opines yoga to be the missing link that ensures real harmony between mind and body. Discussing its relevance on the International Day of Yoga, he says, “Yes, I’m a martial artist trained in Kalaripayattu.
To master it completely, you have to embark on a journey of self-discovery and that’s where yoga fits into the picture. It makes you learn the skill of keeping both body and mind in balance.”
The action hero underlines that though physical power is essential, actual command is derived from calmness of the mind something that only yoga can instill. “As a combatant, it is most important to understand when not to fight when to remain patient. Yoga provides you with this balance. Most people today possess strong bodies, but continue to struggle with depression. That is because yoga hasn’t influenced their lives. It’s only yoga that you can attain union of body and mind. Breath control, happiness, tranquility. It all begins here,” he elaborates.
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Vidyut remembers a life-changing experience in his yoga journey; meeting Padma Shri Dr HR Nagendra, an internationally acclaimed yoga expert and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s teacher. His exposure to the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bengaluru under the guidance of Dr Nagendra completely transformed his understanding of yogic science. After his yoga university. they tested me on how I could manage my heart rates and so on. My whole approach to ancient texts was altered after intense discussions with him. My knowledge of yoga changed,” he says.
The experience also taught Vidyut the potential that lay within himself. “I’ve always had the desire to explore my limits. Post the university tests, I realized that I’ve managed to do that, sit in snow for hours, handle extremes, because I’m able to manage my breath. Sab saanson ka khel hai! A coach may teach you, but realisation comes only from within.”
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Yoga as the Foundation of Movement
Painting a strong analogy, Vidyut says that yoga is the building block on which all discipline is based. ‘Kalaripayattu is a word; yoga is the alphabet’, he illustrates. In his opinion, while sportsmen playing cricket or tennis might practice individual limbs for function, only yoga provides overall equilibrium, “Only yoga gives you complete balance something even the standard yoga protocol can assist in achieving.”
India’s Global Image
Since one who engages with overseas audiences every day while championing martial arts, Vidyut shares that yoga continues to be India’s most powerful cultural symbol overseas. “Woh mujhse sabse zyada yoga ki baat karte hain! They think every Indian practices it, which, sadly, is not true,” he laughs.
Inviting everyone to start their yoga practice regardless of skill level, he goes on, “Recently, at guruji’s university I gave a speech in Sanskrit. I am not such a fluent speaker and probably erred but I attempted. That’s what I say to students, just attempt. You might not do it correctly the first time, but attempting is where you start. Even just the simple etiquette but under instruction.”
Vidyut also discussed his increasing interest in the shankh (conch shell). “I have been studying the shankh for a year now. Under the guidance of guruji, I have developed a shankh protocol in prayanam,” he concludes with the same wonder and rigor that characterizes both his yoga and martial arts training.
