Kaali Baari Akhara

I arranged to meet Gyanshankul Singh at Kaali Baari Akhara to learn about the finer details of traditional Gada and Jori Club exercise. The day started off dry, then the skies opened and we got drenched.

Warming up for Jori Clubs

Jori Club athletes use the Gada Mace for warming up their shoulders, and only swing the Gada one-handed, making the mechanics the same as a Jori swing. They progress increasing the weight, starting from 10kg, then 12 or 15kg, and finally 20 to 25kg.

Ladder Sets of 20 Hath

Once the Gada warm-up is finished, the athlete will warm up with a pair of Jori Clubs weighing 10kg each, and increase the weights on each set. A set (hath) of training swings is 20 and is counted by each arm swinging once, so the right arm moves and that is HALF a swing, left arm swings and that makes ONE completed swing.

Gada one arm method 360

Shoulder catch pause and swing. Deep drawdown at the front of the body, the arm should straighten, the hand must reach navel/belly button. Lifting the opposite foot off the floor and transfer of body weight is allowed.

Triceps Extensions

A full triceps extension is achieved combined with sliding the Gada handle on and off the shoulder

Fat Jori Clubs

Jori Clubs come to a rest position in front of the shoulder, they are held upright against the breast, head & face up, feet static and shoulder-width apart. Heavy Jori can be swung with a walking action coordinated with the swing up.

Thin Jori Clubs

The Jori is slid off the shoulder, swung, and slid back onto the shoulder, face forward, eyes looking forward, feet static and shoulder-width apart.

Nail Jori Clubs and Plain Jori Clubs

Persian style swing balancing one club in front of the body, no body contact, whilst swinging the other, feet static and shoulder-width apart.

Gada Mace two-handed method 10-2’s

A Gada athlete swings the Gada using both hands, requiring different body mechanics, the two styles are considered very different. The two-handed swing is used by the Gada athlete for training and competitions, where massive weights are swung, by all accounts up to 80kg. Hips locked, feet static and shoulder-width apart.

One Club is Always Heavier

Jori Clubs are made with one club heavier than the other, the heavier club is for the dominant arm and the lighter for the non-dominant arm. Clubs are made from woods that have different densities, which affects the weight.

Iron Collars

The final weight of a pair of clubs is adjusted with iron collars that can be seen mounted on the heavy ends of the clubs.

Construction

A Gada is made from concrete and stone, generally with a bamboo handle. The head of the gada is held onto the handle with wooden wedges. The stone heads are hand-carved and mounted onto the handle in the same way. Gada handle length is determined by the height of the athlete. The bamboo handle thickness varies, there are no set rules.

Thank You

I would like to thank Gyanshankul Singh of Kaali Baari Akhara for the great day we spent together and all the information he shared.