Pahlavāni Fundamentals
The Persian Yoga™ Pahlavāni Fundamentals is an introduction to the world’s oldest martial arts strength conditioning system developed by Persians over 2,500 years ago. This online course is an amalgamation of the Fundamentals manual and instructional videos and will teach you the principals and fundamental Pahlavāni (Persian Yoga) exercises and variations together with complete regressions and progressions.
The goal is to prepare the athlete for learning fundamentals and progressions, with the Meel™ and Shena™, by establishing a solid foundation and understanding of the use of these tools and how they can be applied in the use of Persian Yoga™ and beyond.
You will also learn dynamic flexibility exercises (Narmesh) and gymnastic based cardiovascular aerobic and agility conditioning exercises (Pazadan) as used in Persian Yoga™.
This online course clearly and concisely explains and demonstrates all the fundamental exercises, variations and techniques of Pahlavāni (Persian Yoga™) as a system of conditioning and physical art-form. It also includes a complete routine and a progression chart and program so that the student may learn and practice these ancient arts at home.
Copyright
A great deal of work and effort has gone into gathering and compiling the information presented on these pages. The information stems from the rich cultural traditions of the Persians yet belongs to the heritage of mankind. This content is my original work and I hope you will find it interesting, engaging and valuable.
This content presented here or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a review.
Thank you for the courtesy of respecting my work.
Persian Yoga™, Shena™, Meel™ & Sang™ are trademarks of Persian Yoga Pty Ltd.
Dr Kashi Azad DC
Founder
Persian Yoga Pty Ltd
www.persianyoga.com
© since 2015 Persian Yoga Pty Ltd – All Rights Reserved.
Dedication
To Asha.
The meaning of Asha is complex and cannot be precisely rendered by some single word in another tongue, because its meaning depends upon the context in which it is used, but may be summarised as follows: Asha is love, divine order and godliness in it’s spiritual manifestation (the harmony and lawful order of the cosmos according to which all things happen); Asha refers to truth, righteousness, and justice in it’s metaphysical manifestation and fire in it’s physical manifestation.
Foreword
Dr Kashi Azad DC comes Shiraz which is located in the central south of Iran. He comes from a family who have been members of Zurkhaneh (house of strength) for many generations thus combining years of knowledge passing down through the various family members.
These training methods were developed by Persians over 2000 years ago as a complete yet simple martial arts conditioning system. Historically this type of training created an ideal warrior, forging elite soldiers out of the ordinary people. The warrior was known as a Pahlavān, who was valiant, powerful, capable, honourable and an enemy of falsehood.
Dr Kashi Azad offers you a unique insight into these ancient customs, and has done a great job in presenting a step-by-step, no-nonsense guide which he has called Persian Yoga™. His knowledge is based on personal experience and research that is a life long passion.
I have visited Iran for two years in succession to specifically study Zurkhaneh, and even though I hired excellent translators, I found the Persian Yoga™ manual very useful and comprehensive in it’s presentation and explanations.
The Persian Yoga™ manual is comprehensively illustrated with black and white photographs and detailed written descriptions of all the movements and exercises. This is great news for anyone who would like to learn more about this ancient art, and start to experience it for themselves. I will add here that you have to approach this form of exercise over a period of time, it is definitely something that you cannot rush into, but with time and practice you’ll reap the benefits of Persian Yoga™
Next a quick word about my understanding of the areas Kashi Azad has covered in this manual, which details many variations. This list also presents the exercises as they are performed in a traditional
Zurkhaneh environment.
Shena Push-ups
The Shena is a wooden push up board that has two triangular, wooden supports raising your hands off the floor. There are many variations of push ups, the most commonly used would be the Split push up, which is a great preparation for swinging Meel.
Narmesh
Dynamic Stretching, warming up exercises consist of moves that are very important to avoid injuries to athletes when they start training with Meels. These warm-up exercises are also done in intervals between the training with the Shena and Meel.
Persian Meel
The Meel is a wooden mace and is based on the ancient mace weapon. Meel are swung in rhythmic movements, very close the body. The arms swing at the back and lift at the front of the body. The swing of the Meel moves the athlete transferring their body weight from one foot to the other, with a small shuffle like step performing a transverse turn that is generated by the stepping and the swing of the club.
Excellent training for the shoulder girdle, strength, core stability and balance. Using a lightweight Meel around 3kgs per club or 6kgs combined is important. Once the movements are fully mastered heavier Meel can be considered, for example 5kg or 10kg combined, and so on.
A word of warning. Unfortunately beginners have an obsession with heavier and bigger weights, which can lead to injury. It is not the exercise that will injure you but the weight, so start light.
Pa Zadan
Kicks and Stomps. This footwork is performed without the help of any tools. Originally, these varied types of footwork exercises were meant to train the warriors for speed and dexterity on the battlefield.
The Persian Yoga™ Fundamentals – Illustrated Manual is giving you first hand information directly from an active practitioner who introduces you to knowledge from his ancestral home of Iran.
Paul Taras Wolkowinski
2015/12/17 Perth, Australia.
Preface
The only other books written in English on this topic, that I have come across, have been written by non practitioners and do not provide an insight into the conditioning methods and practices of this ancient tradition.
The limited, and often erroneous, information available is superficial and scant. Hence I took it upon myself to facilitate Asha (truth) In the interest of preserving and transferring the knowledge of the ancients, and my rich cultural heritage, to physical culture enthusiasts and truth seekers worldwide.
In the following material I will be demonstrating the art, techniques and fundamentals of Pahlavani, or Persian Yoga, as they have been taught to me by the great Morsheds, or Gurus, of the art and my own observations from the experienced practice of members of my family, who are and have been practising this art for several generations, as well as my own experience and understanding of it as a health and fitness student, practitioner and teacher.
The great majority of the material is presented verbatim as it has been gifted to us from Persian warriors and Pahlavans of the ancient past through a great line of master and apprentice. I have only made minor adjustments and additions where I have felt that it adds value to the overall experience of, and the benefits derived from, this practice. Any omissions, errors or shortcomings are solely mine.
Become who you are. Thus spoke Zarathustra.
Dr Kashi Azad DC
2015/12/22 Sydney, Australia
Acknowledgements
To the Lord of Light and Wisdom; the ultimate inspiration, source of strength and all that is good.
To Morshed Panahi, Morshed Mehregan and the illustrious Morshed Hojjatti; for patiently teaching me and guiding me into the beautiful world and traditions of Pahlavani.
To Seyed Amir-Hosseini; for opening the doors of Zurkhaneh and giving me my first pair of Meel.
To Beautography for the photos. www.beautography.com.au
To Mr. Nick Morley for reaching out to me and for editing this manual.
To Mr. Paul Wolkowinski for writing the foreword to this manual.
To everyone I ever trained with for allowing me to test and fine-tune my skills on them.
To my Family.
Advisory & Disclaimer
This course is designed to help new students learn about Persian Yoga and be able to practice this art at home, or elsewhere, on their own or in a group setting. Before adopting Persian Yoga consult your physician, especially if you have high blood pressure, orthopaedic problems or any other bodily pains or discomforts. Be safe! As with any exercise you should listen to your body and if you experience pain during the exercises you should stop; never force or strain. Be safe and train for consistency and the long term. ALL USE OF ADVICE OBTAINED THROUGH THIS COURSE IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY AND PERSIAN YOGA, AND IT’S ASSOCIATES, ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE EXERCISES DEMONSTRATED OR THE INSTRUCTION AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN.
