by Brother Jittin Mathew
MUMBAI, OCT 24, 2018: The boys of Bosco Boys Home, Borivli were introduced to Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian sport, as a way to stay fit and healthy on October 21.
The sport involves gymnasts performing aerial yoga postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or hanging rope. The word Mallakhamb itself refers to the pole used in the sport.
While explaining to the boys the importance of this sport, Moreshwar Ingole, the Mallakhamb instructor, said, “This is the only sport that provides optimum exercise to the entire body in the least possible time. Besides giving perfect shape and form to the body, it also gives remarkable control over the limbs. Due to continuous twisting and turning, the whole body gets massaged and every cell is rejuvenated.”
“External muscles are developed and the efficiency of internal systems is also increased. It also makes use of a number of yogic postures and helps to have control over the breath, the functioning of the brain and other faculties like memory, concentration, and coordination are also well developed. It helps you to have better mental and physical attributes like flexibility, focus, and balance. Through Mallakhamb one can control both the mind and body.”
“I really enjoyed the exercises. First I thought it will be difficult to climb on the rope but then after three rounds it was a cake walk for me,” Aryan Yadav, a youth, said.