Email
Print
ShareArnis, the martial arts form practised by Bruce Lee, is the latest technique of burning calories, believe the city's fitness fanatics
MUMBAI: After watching Ninja flicks like Three Little Ninjas and American Ninjas you must have wanted to fight and move like the flexible, strong Ninjas. But if you thought that you would never be able to get hold of a coach who could teach you those fabulous moves and tactics, here is some news for you.
Arnis, a Filipino system of martial arts, is taking the city by storm. A great self-defence system that is practised with sticks, it also happens to be one of the best ways to lose calories and reach new levels of fitness.
Ravi Lalwani, who has taught this form of martial arts to many in Mumbai says, "Bruce Lee (the late actor and martial arts exponent) was the one who made fighting with sticks a popular form. The sticks used in Arnis are two inches thick and about 28 inches in length." And it's not just common people but even choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and model Jesse Randhawa who are followers of this martial art. Melwin Joseph, instructor to the celebrities says, "One can burn about 350 to 400 calories per hour while doing Arnis. It is quite an aggressive form of a workout. For the convenience of the celebrities, I teach Arnis indoors. I also conduct special outdoor classes. I play music to keep the gusto going. This also helps them synchronise their moves," reveals Melwin.
Sandip says, "Arnis is a part of the training in the armed forces. It is a great workout as it equips you with self-defence techniques and helps you shape up. It is very energising too."
Jesse adds, "As you are working with both the sticks simultaneously, Arnis also improves your co-ordination skills. It improves the body balance and after a few classes you can actually experience an improvement in flexibility and the posture of your body."
But instructor Ravi has a point to make. "This is one technique that should be learned by girls as it is all about self-defence and also improves the reflexes. But unfortunately not many girls come forward to learn Arnis," he rues even as he hopes that the trend will change.
