The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling and Physical Culture

[george stando]

Just got a nice bonus in the mail, an advance copy of the new DVD The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling and Physical culture. I was and am very much into Scott Sonnen's work especially with the clubbells and Matt Furey's combat conditioning so I really wanted to see the actual workout and actions of the hindu wrestlers which seems to be the genesis of the work of both men but I couldnt find anything at all. This DVD runs about 60 minutes and divides up into the traditional akhara and workout, then it shows another akhara and how they combine the old and the new focusing on the workouts on the mats instead of the pits, then it goes into one wrestlers specific workout and variations, then into the mallakhamb the wrestlers pole and rope mallakhamb. Great stuff, it is part instructional, part documentary alll shot on location in Northern India. Very inspiring and I learned quite a bit from it mostly I got to see the roots and the actual execution of movemnts alot of people do these days. Dont have the website addy or purchase detaisls as of yet but you can email blackdiamondcobra@yahoo.com for all the release date and purchase info if interested.

[NickL]

Sounds great. It's really hard to find any info on this even though there seems to be a lot of interest. I'll probably purchase the dvd when it comes out. Thanks for the reveiw.

[george stando]

There is very little video/DVD information on this topic and this is top notch stuff. I will post all the purchase info when the actual release date approaches.

[george stando]

The Physical Body webpage with quicktime streaming trailer is up, it should be open for sales in about a week.

http://www.customflix.com/207195

[george stando]

The DVD is now available for purchase on line at the webpage or by calling:
1 888 232 0439

[CLM]

Any of you guys actually use Matt Furey's Combat Condition? I've seen the videos and something just didn't seem right; maybe it was the home video style shooting. Is the guy reputable when it comes to martial arts training?

[george stando]

Matt Furey is a bit of a controversial figure, some love him and some absolutely hate him. If you got the karl gotch training tape its alot better I thought. Matt's material is good but the tape quality is definitely rock bottom for the costs. Matt is an excellent promoter and maybe thats what gets people mad. Matt is in good shape and his material is good. I used the workouts then adjusted alot of stuff after seeing this dvd.

The material comes from the indian wrestlers training routine as do alot of things these days. So thats why alot of people into this new DVD, its one DVD and you really get a feel for the timing, rhtyhm and tempo of the workout in its original environment also many people say they have "improved"on the original stuff but theres so much variation I am sure thats true and from seeing the dvd i know now theres alot more than meets the eye.

[JasonE]

Any of you guys actually use Matt Furey's Combat Condition? I've seen the videos and something just didn't seem right; maybe it was the home video style shooting. Is the guy reputable when it comes to martial arts training?

In a word, NO. He's a complete joke on the MMA.tv Underground, particularly with the pro fighters and trainers. I paid less than $30 (used) for his Combat Conditioning books and tapes, which he normally sells for $100 or so. At the price, I felt gypped. His basic approach is, get into better shape by doing more reps, and then even more reps. Some of his notions on neck conditioning are extremely dangerous and generally impractical. Furey has no background in traditional Indian grappling or conditioning methods, but he's apparently read enough to know who Gama was so he can market the name on his own product.

Hate to say it, but I'm being pretty kind to Furey compared to most of the comments I've read by others over the years.

[JasonE]

On a side note:

Scott Sonnon also has no background in traditional Indian wrestling or conditioning. His Clubbells and some of the exercises performed share some commonalities with the old British "Indian clubs", Indian jori, Iranian meels, and other old club-like tools because the general shape is.. a CLUB! *grin* Sonnon does not claim to have reproduced old exercises or traditions, or to have gained some mystical insight.

Circular Strength Training is based on biomechanical principles common to the structures of the human body, their physical and somatic qualities, and emerging science on the roles and reactions of the nervous system and biochemistry. With his competitive and coaching background, Sonnon also has a solid base of practical experience in the application of the concepts he teaches. Sonnon's material is also internaly consistent and follows a logical progression that allows anyone to blend material from any one of his programs into practice with any of his other programs.

My site has more info and lots of free links to learn more about Sonnon's material. It's helped my BJJ, MMA and escrima training tremendously, while allowing me to drop weight and rehab old injuries.

[george stando]

Interesting points and though I believe that Scott's work with the Clubbells specifically does have influence from hindu exercises. Though only my own opinion, Circular strength is part of the indian wrestling routines and its extremely functional within the overall matrix of the wrestlers routine. It was created for grapplers. I believe Sonnon does great work and I follow his material. But i think there is without a doubt a debt to the work of hindu physical culture and the clubs. If you look at the wealth of information pertaining to the indian clubs, jori, gadas you will undoubtably see the arcs and circles. Breath patterns, variations are all within the indian systems but you have learn them not take them from pictures in a book or you'll never know they are there....You are right. A club is a club and what you do with it is distinguishable. I think again most people dont have an understanding as you stated with Furey with the depth of the indian physical exercises as most people evidently. Its an interesting topic for me and I am not that down on fureys material as you are and use it along with Sonnons principles. I wasnt trying to put down either man just trying to create a link for people who really want to see like myself up close the indian physical exercises. For most people it will be the first time though they have seen many of them before. I liked the dvd for that,more for the history and the perspective it put the exercises in. Sonnons work is distinctive as is furey or really Karl Gotch's in which they each have thier own imprint and/or innovation.

[george stando]

keeping the thread up!

[george stando]

Got this today from the mark hatmaker email newsletter:

THE PHYSICAL BODY

Rather than regal you with a snapshot of a past legend this week we veer towards a DVD review. Combat artist, martial historian, and all around good guy, Vincent Giordano has compiled a fascinating volume on Hindu wrestling and physical culture. What we find on this volume is not instruction, not an oral history but, something even more valuable--an educated spectator's glimpse at the training environment , methods, and overall "feel" for a grappling discipline that has been clouded with much hyperbole. This volume is well-worth a viewing by all who consider themselves serious mat men. To order or for more information about this fascinating documentary go to http://www.thephysicalbody.com
1 888 232 0439


Mark Hatmaker,
www.extremeselfprotection.com

[Tee Sok]

Hey there,

I received The Phisical Body this week and I have to say it really well done,
simple and very interesting.
I like the way the exercises and the traditional warm-ups are shown. I think they are good for anyone who wishes to vary their training routines and incorporate these complete exercises, I am sure they will be helpful for all.

Also, brief and detailed insights make the whole DVD more interesting and valuable, as I have never found anything useful on this topic.

[george stando]

TeeSok:
good review. good to hear from you.

Picked up this review from Tom Bisio whose book is excellent by the way
Review of THE PHYSICAL BODY ( DVD)
by Tom Bisio,
author, A Tooth in The Tiger’s Mouth

“The Physical Body: Indian Wrestling & Physical Culture is a DVD that presents a unique look at the training methods of traditional Indian wrestling. Exquisitely filmed and produced by veteran film maker Vincent Giordano, this DVD is not only packed with information, but also brings the viewer the actual sights and sounds of Indian wrestling. The excellent camerawork and lighting, coupled with the traditional music that forms a backdrop to Mr. Giordano's informative narration, makes you feel as though you are warming up with the other wrestlers.

I found the comparisons between the more traditional wrestling schools and the hybrid schools that blend modern and ancient training methods fascinating. As the DVD followed wrestlers through their warm ups and training exercises, I was impressed by their dedication, strength and endurance. The training exercises are presented clearly and demonstrated in such a way that the viewer could easily follow them. The relationship between some of the traditional strength training exercises and yoga's salute to the sun, was enlightening both from a cultural and practical standpoint.

I highly recommend this DVD to martial arts practitioners, as well as those interested in physical culture and yoga. Watching The Physical Body, made me wish i could transport myself back to the days when India and Gama the Great dominated the world in wrestling.”

[Tee Sok]

Hey George, good to hear from you too.

That's a very good review, Tom Bisio just says it all. The only things

one could add to this are personal comments.