Nerkaal is first among the leg movement methods of kalaripayattu. The purpose of Nerkaal practice inside the kalari is to maintain well the longest nerve of human body which emerges from the brain, splits into two at Mooladhara and passes through the back side of both legs and spreads up to the toes. It helps to improve the blood and other fluid circulation well to majority of joints and micro nerves of the human body and also to maintain well the balance of eight dimensions of human structural anatomy. It is also known as Nadappukaal as its practice will helps to improve the ability to run and walk faster. Those who start practice kalaripayattu in gurukkul format from the age of 7 and regularly practices leg movement methods, helps to nullify the chances of vatha related diseases and kshaya related weakness to their body and to retain the ability to walk well even at old age. This may also helps to reduce the chances of having other health related issues. If we consider the human body as a tree then legs has the role of tap roots of that tree. The fiberous roots an be considered as the micro nerves which spreads at the inner portion of foot and ends at the toes. These helps to absorbs different magnetic fields of nature to the body. The roots of a tree helps to absorb and distribute water and nutrients to its branches like that the bare footed practice of leg movements inside kalari will helps to absorb different magnetic fields of nature. This helps to develops more immunity power, strength, effective functioning of brain and longevity of life. The practice of kalaripayattu leg movements are practiced with bare foot inside every kalari. So it can be concluded that the practice of each and every leg movements starts from Nerkaal of eakadhikk leg movements and ends with the last form of pakarchakaal leg movements which will help to acquire immense physical benefits to the kalaripayattu practitioners. Each leg movement has to be practiced one lakh times for both legs in order to achieve the excellent efficiency of legs. The Massage therapy for Nerkaal is only required for those students who have more problems related to the performance of nerkaal. It is not required for every students. Nerkaal is the leg movement in which the foot and toes have to be stretched forward and raising the leg, touching the thigh portion to the respective portion of chest and the foot must reach upto the back of his head. This has to be practiced for both right and left legs respectively with equal importance. The practice of nerkaal is done in the following way which starts with left leg keeping a step forward and raising first right leg in straight direction then while reaching down fold back a little bit and place it forward a step ahead. Then raising the left leg in straight direction then while reaching down fold back a little bit and place it forward a step ahead, then repeating the same with both legs. The purpose of this video is to preserve this precious knowledge of this traditional therapy from extinction. Please try to avoid the blind imitation of this video.
