Ok so it has been a fun journey so far; and I'm proud to say that our authentic hand made Persian Meels (AKA clubs / jori / indianclub / clubbells) are now available for sale.

You can get them on pre-order right now, special launch and Noruz (Persian New Year) promotion of 25% discount on all pre-orders. promotion ends 30/04/2014. So get your orders in before then. Contact me if you have any questions.

We'll announce the shipping costs available in the next couple of days.

In the photo you can see the different shapes and sizes (from left): 5kg, 3kg, 2kg and 7kg Meels.

Matching Shena boards will also be available plus some other goodies...more photos will be posted soon.

The most general principle of training for longevity comes down to a short but sweet slogan: "Use it or lose it." The application of this idea involves looking at how the human body is designed. It's designed for action. Bones, joints and muscles need to be used, or over time, they will atrophy. 

When you exercise, in particular exercises focused on building strength and muscle endurance such as in Persian Yoga, bones respond to challenges and increase their resistance to fracturing. The muscles around joints build up to protect critical parts of the body like hips, knees and ankles. Muscle groups get tougher and stronger, rather than withering away.

Zurkhaneh - Persian Yoga & Martial Arts Conditioning utilizes coordinated, simple, dynamic and fluid movements in the body's entire range of motion to strengthen and condition the body holistically i.e. targeting muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons etc, as it lays the foundation for lifelong strength and longevity of health.

I have always been struck by how the most powerful athletes in the Zurkhaneh arena are the more senior; above 40-50. Younger practitioners, who are often considered well-trained and fit, have a hard time keeping up with the 'old-timers' as they move their body gracefully to the beat of the drum while moving between beautiful, yet strenuous, asanas (postures).

And in these simple beautiful movements is the truth about what is really important in training; that consistency trumps intensity; all the time. That intensity is born from consistency. That one cannot force it, one has to lay in wait for it, patiently, instinctively, calmly and be ready to grab it when Grace lays it down in front of you.

To learn more about Zurkhaneh - Persian Yoga & Martial Arts Conditioning contact us for a free/donation based beginners workshop.

Be Tireless.

The ability to be cognizant of proper distance, timing and rhythm are factors that separate the great athlete from a good one. These factors are vital qualities for a martial artist, within any form or discipline.

This is why the Great Bruce Lee took up Cha Cha dancing, and later became a champion Cha Cha practitioner. Bruce Lee incorporated these skills in a training form which he called 'Interaction Drills'.

This is also part of the fundamental principles behind whirling practices as done in Zurkhaneh. The whirling and the practice of 'kicking' (Pa Zadan in Persian) are aimed at improving and increasing the athlete's sense of coordination, control, balance and judgment of space and distance.

These exercises have the added benefit of increasing and improving cardio endurance and concentration.

To improve and increase joint mobility and stability, particularly in the shoulder girdle, it is very important to consider the following:

1. Work in your bodies entire Range Of Motion (ROM)
2. Do flexibility exercises to increase your ROM
3. Perform exercises that target fast and slow twitch muscle fibers in the entire ROM
4. Perform targeted exercises, while progressively increasing resistance, to build stability and power.

It is very important to do movements that build the posterior deltoid, and perform rowing movement to focus on the scapular retraction action, as well as a 'reverse shrug' to focus on scapular depression.

Very few, none to my knowledge, other tools or forms of exercise will give you the combined benefits and exercises, as described above, simultaneously while increasing and improving your:

- strength
- endurance
- flexibility
- power
- speed
- coordination
- agility
- balance
- accuracy
- rhythm
- concentration
- alertness

If you have an injury always consult a health professional first.

Pahlavan is a title, it is the combination of the English words Champion and Hero; it can designate someone really strong. Yet the strength is not measured physically only.

A Pahlavan is expected to be able to cross mountains, deserts, and waters (physically and emotionally). Not only strong in body they are expected to be be pure in spirit and courageous in character.

Honest in words, righteous in action and loyal helpers to those in need; they symbolize the epitome of [hu]manhood.

One does not refer to oneself as a Pahlavan, it is a title bestowed based on merit and character.

A prime example is Jahan (World) Pahlavan Takhti, an Olympic gold medal holder and winner of multiple wrestling world championships. He would not attack the injured side of his opponent during a title fight. He lost the match, but showed that he valued honorable behavior more than reaching victory. He is also known to have walked the streets going door to door to raise funds for earthquake victims in Iran.

These characteristics originate from traditional values of Zurkhaneh, a kind of heroic behaviour epitomizing chivalrous qualities; so called Javanmardi in Persian.

To learn more about what makes a Pahlavan and the art they practiced to develop their senses come to our Free Open Day Workshop this Sunday at 10am at the Customs House in Circular Quay. For more details DM or visit: http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/16902-zurkhaneh-persian-martial-arts-performance-and-workshop http://ow.ly/i/1L3nl

The Paisley (Boteh Jegheh in Persian) is a Zoroastrian/Iranian symbol of life and eternity.

A Pahlavan and Zurkhaneh practitioner is expected to be most of all humble and pure in thoughts, words and deeds.

The Paisley has come to symbolize the spiritual qualities of a Pahlavan as it 'bends it's head' in humility.

Zurkhaneh is made up of 2 words in Persian; Zur meaning Strength/Power and Khaneh meaning Home/House. Today it is used to designate the place for practicing Pahlavani Sports i.e. Koshti (Wrestling) Pahlavani and Martial Arts Conditioning which include Yoga like flexibility postures combined with heavy strength and endurance exercises using tools such as the Persian Meel (Clubbell), Shena (Push-up board) and Sang (Heavy Shield).

In the past there were no fitness centers as we know of today; the Zurkhaneh fulfilled that function in the Iranian society much like the Akhara did in the Indian society.

The Zurkhaneh is the earliest known form of privately operated fitness centers that were open to the general public, much like the fitness centers operated by Kaveh Akbari and Amir Fazeli here in Sydney, they were established by a Morshed (Guru) who understood and could teach principles of physical conditioning.

The Zurkhaneh is one manifestation of the importance that is placed on holistic health and wellbeing (Tandorosti in Persian) in the Persian culture.

Doroud va shaad bad dar in ruz'e no.

Hail and may you have a joyous new day.

Up until the rule of the Qhajar Dynasty in Iran Noruz was celebrated in the capital with large festivities which included the Pahlavans performing in Koshti Pahlavani (Pahlavani Wrestling) and Zurkhaneh Sports in the presence of the Shahanshah (King of Kings).

The Pahlavai Dynasty tried to revive these customs and the tradition is still observed in some rural areas of Iran.

With best wishes of holistic health (Tandorosti) and happiness to you and your loved ones. Happy Persian New Year from Zurkhaneh Australia.

Be tireless in this new day and every coming day.