The Tradition
Kalaripayattu is a traditional martial art from Kerala, South India. It is one of the world's oldest martial arts and combines physical training, self-defense, weapons practice and traditional healing knowledge.
The name comes from kalari, the training space, and payattu, meaning practice. Through regular training, practitioners build strength, flexibility, coordination, agility and focus.
Many of the sequences are inspired by nature and the movement qualities of animals. The practice helps people move more efficiently, become more aware of their bodies, and respond better to different situations.
Today, Kalaripayattu is practiced not only by martial artists, but also by dancers, performers, and anyone interested in improving their physical awareness, movement, and overall well-being.
Instructor
I am a dancer and martial artist from Chile who explores movement as a way to build presence, creativity, and connection.
My work combines contemporary dance and Kalaripayattu, teaching, and artistic research. Through movement, I help people connect more deeply with themselves and others.
I began studying Kalaripayattu in Chile with Eyal Meyer, founder of Mauna Kalari, in 2011. Since then, I have traveled to India regularly to continue my training at Hindustan Kalari Sangham, under Gurus Shatru Ji, Radhika Ji, and Lakshman Ji. I became a certified Kalaripayattu instructor, and have been teaching since 2017.
Alongside teaching, I continue to create performances, conduct research, and collaborate with artists from different fields. I believe movement is more than technique — it is a practice of awareness, a way of discovering new possibilities, and an invitation to engage with life more consciously.
Whether teaching Kalaripayattu or contemporary dance, I create a welcoming environment where people can develop their bodies, express themselves creatively, and discover new ways of moving and engaging with life.
What to Expect
This practice is open to everyone, regardless of experience. It welcomes dancers, actors, movement artists, martial artists, and anyone curious about exploring a new physical discipline and developing greater body awareness.
No previous experience is required. Beginners and experienced practitioners are all welcome.
The classes focus on Meithari, the first stage of Kalaripayattu training. Through traditional stances, structured movement sequences, and physical exercises, students develop strength, mobility, flexibility, coordination, balance, and physical conditioning. For more experienced practitioners, Kolthari — the practice of traditional wooden weapons — is also introduced.
Classes are guided in English while using the traditional Malayalam and Sanskrit terminology for postures, movement sequences, and exercises.
This practice follows the lineage of Hindustan Kalari Sangham, a traditional Kalaripayattu school from Kerala, India. It aims to remain faithful to the Kalaripayattu tradition without blending it with other disciplines. Although it comes from a lineage transmitted directly from India, it is not intended to replicate exactly how Kalaripayattu is practiced there. Instead, it seeks to keep this living tradition accessible by sharing it respectfully within a different cultural context.
Schedule
Elsenstraße 87, 12435 Berlin (Neukölln)
Regina-Jonas-Str. 6, 10999 Berlin
Dario's Formation
Santiago, Chile
Calicut, India
Reach Out
Hotel Continental — Elsenstraße 87, 12435 Berlin
Remise — Regina-Jonas-Str. 6, 10999 Berlin