Gerhard Schmid

„No sports“ had been the credo of Gerhard Schmid for a long time – till his back started complaining loudly about too much computer work. Having practised Karate at a young age, and therefore being interested in martial arts,he began to practise an inner style of Kung Fu and other techniques, but nothing filled his need to move and stretch his body sufficiently. Finally he came across Kalarippayat (“Kalari”) - the traditional Indian martial art, that has been taught for thousands of years orally from teacher to student and is still sparsely known in the West. From the first session onwards Gerhard was amazed about the effects: After a hard training he felt more fit, more present than before. He was totally taken only a few months later, when he had the chance to attend a class with C. M. Sherif Gurukal, one of the most acclaimed grand masters of Kalarippayat. That was back in 1999. Since then Gerhard has embarked on a powerful journey, training up to six months every year with his teacher C. M. Sherif Gurukal in Kerala/India, and immersing himself ever deeper into what is said to be the most ancient martial art in the world. By now he has completed eight years of the traditional 12-year-„gurukkula“-education and is one of the very few Westerners who have been trained in the three different styles of Kalarippayat - Vadakkan (Northern), Madhya (Central) and Tekan (Southern) Sampradayam.
Gerhard has intensely explored the traditional weapons of the Kalari, among these the Otta, a marma weapon unique to Kalari.

Which, not only being a martial art, but at the same time being a healing art (Chikitsa), Kalarippayat offers a wide range of treatments and is considered to be the neurology and physiotherapy branch of Ayurveda.

As such its focus is on the marmas, the vital spots of the body. Gerhard is trained both in nadi and marma therapy as well as in foot massage (Chavutti Uzhichil) – a complex full body treatment given with the feet of the therapist.

He is a certified senior instructor of the Kerala Kalarippyat Academy in Kannur/Kerala and teaches at his own studio in Hamburg/Germany as well in various places all over the world. His inspiring classes are deeply rooted in his fundamental knowledge, his descriptive approach, his love to share what he was granted to discover and his great sense of humour. His ability to lead each student according to his/her individual potential makes every class an experience of growth and joy – for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

Born in southern Germany and raised in Toronto/Canada, Gerhard has lived in Ireland, France and Germany. In an “earlier life” he has been a photographer and web designer. Teaching and continuously learning Kalari, the true cosmopolitan is now based in Hamburg, frequently travelling to India and the US.

„Kalari has not only relieved me from back pain and made me more flexible and stronger than I could ever imagine. This spiritual art is tremendously grounding. It always strikes me, how it makes you focus on your goals and at the same time trust the flow of the moment.”