I often think to myself: “If only Shuaijiao was as popular as Taiji…”
If i think of Shuaijiao’s history it makes me feel that it deserves to be even more popular. But it isn’t.
It is wrestling to survive.
Interestingly, among ethnic wrestling styles, Shuaijiao is not alone. According to this report, Pakistan’s art of Pehalwani is wrestling to survive too.
Pahalwani, wrestling style that was at one point a common sight in the ancient city of Lahore’s festivals and backstreets is now threatened with extinction. This is how Wikipaedia describes Pehalwani:
“Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani, is a synthesis of an indigenous Aryan / Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to the 5th century BC [1] and a Persian form of wrestling brought into South Asia by the Mughals.[2]
A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a pehlwan (also spelled pahlwan in Persian, champion, literally a Parthian). Generally speaking, Hindu teachers of wrestling are known as guru and Muslim teachers ustad.[2]
The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomenclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomenclature and western training methods.
Wrestling competitions, known as Dangals, are held at village levels and have their own rules which vary from place to place. Usually, a win is awarded by decision from the panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.”
I’m interested to know why the writers of this wiki think that the Mongols (referred to above as Mughals) bought a Persian form of wrestling to India and not a Mongolian form of wrestling. It seems that there is some evidence of Persian roots due to the roots of the Pehlwan term itself. I wonder if that is true…
They continue to describe Pehlwani’s approach to training:
”In Indian wrestling, vyayam, or physical training, is meant to build strength and develop muscle bulk and flexibility. Exercises that employ the wrestler’s own bodyweight include the sun salutation, shirshasan, and the dand, which are also found in hatha yoga, as well as the bethak. Sawari (the passenger) is the practice of using another person’s bodyweight to add resistance to such exercises.[2]
Exercise regimens may also employ the following weight training devices:
- The nal is a hollow stone cylinder with a handle inside.
- The gar nals (literally “neck weights”) is a circular stone ring worn around the neck to add resistance to dands and bethaks.
- The gada is a mace, as associated with Hanuman. An exercise gada is a heavy round stone attached to the end of a meter-long bamboo stick. Pahalwani trophies take the form of gadas made of silver and gold.
- The jori.
Exercise regimens may also include dhakulis, which involve twisting rotations; rope climbing; log pulling; and running. Massage is regarded an integral part of a pahalwan’s exercise regimen.”
If you continue to read you even discover that famous pro-wrestler Karl Gotch travelled to India to learn Pehlwani and it’s conditioning methods. His trip was fruitful and he returned with some of the later to become staples of the wrestlers conditioning exercises: Hindu push-ups, Hindu squats, the Bridge, etc. These movements are all foreign to traditional Chinese Shuaijiao, and Boke I assume too.
I thought that the concept of doing sun salutations or any of the other exercises mentioned with someone on my back sounded intense. And i can imagine needing a good massage after a session with someone my weight sitting on my sun salutations.
Interestingly, just as the kettlebell has its roots in China’s Stone Lock, one of today’s fitness fads - the Macebell - appears to have Indian roots.See for yourself:
If you visit Scientific Wrestling’s site you can see that this tool was one of the fruits of Mr. Gotch’s India trip.
Diet is something that the Indians have given a lot of thought to. And there is a special diet for wrestlers. Wikipedia writes:
“According to the Samkhya school of philosophy, everything in the universe—including people, activities, and foods—can be sorted into three gunas: sattva (calm/good), rajas (passionate/active), and tamas (dull/lethargic).
As a vigorous activity, wrestling has an inherently rajasic nature, which pahalwan counteract through the consumption of sattvic foods. Milk and ghee are regarded as the most sattvic of foods and, along with almonds, comprise the holy trinity of the pahalwan’s khurak, or diet. A common snack of pahalwans is chickpeas that have been sprouted overnight in water and seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon; the water in which the chickpeas were sprouted is also regarded as nutritious. Various articles in the Indian wrestling monthly Bharatiya Kushti have recommended the consumption of the following fruits: apples, wood-apples, bananas, figs, pomegranates, gooseberries, lemons, and watermelons. Orange juice and green vegetables are also recommended for their sattvic nature. Some pahalwans eat meat in spite of its rajasic nature.[2]
Ideally, wrestlers are supposed to avoid sour and excessively spiced foods such as chutneys and achars, as well as chaats. Mild seasoning with garlic, cumin, coriander, and turmeric is acceptable. The consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and paan is strongly discouraged.“
It’s all very interesting and makes me wonder if the Chinese went to such lengths in their studies of wrestlers and wrestling. I have yet to come across any information re diet and the Shuaijiao athlete. If you have seen something then share please!
Well, i hope that more young people in Pakistan - as well as China - begin practiciing this important physical culture and preserving it for future generations and at the same time discovering Shuaijiao’s natural beauty.
If you are interested in more information or news on Pakistan’s wrestling scene please check here.
