Frequently Asked Questions - Answered

Q1. Does Mallakhamb performance affects the body negatively?

Ans.    Mallakhamb is a natural form of exercise. Here the strength & power of a body is improved positively as there is no external weight or force acting over body like in Weightlifting or even in Wrestling.

It is disbelief that  MALLAKHAMB performance reduces the normal height increase of the body. But it is FALSE. In fact
Mallakhamb is an excellent type of aerobic exercise. It not only develops the muscles of the body but also improves the circulatory system. This disbelieve arises because a short structured person can perform MALLAKHAMB  very easily like Gymnastics.
 

Q2. Why only Castor Oil is applied to apparatus & body?

Q3. When there are so many different apparatus for exercises, what is the need of Mallakhamb?

Ans.     In this world there are so many different sports & Exercises. All are having there own peculiarities. But there are few sports activities that provides a complete or total fitness. Gymnastics or Decathlon events of Athletics or even Aquatic events are supposed to be the mother discipline as they help in total development of the body. Similarly Mallakhamb is also a full body developmental sport. At the same time it is a fully natural     way of body development. Here no weights have to be lifted except the performer's own body weight. As we are evolved from monkeys, during the course of evolution we are slowly forgetting our natural capacity to hang freely on our limbs at the same time we are lacking in natural twists & torque movements that a monkey can easily get during its movements on the barks of the trees. Mallakhamb is the only apparatus in which one gets full body torque, thus fully developing the body including the backbone. Thus it is the mother discipline which builds a ideal physical body.

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Q4. What should be the starting age for mallakhamb?

Ans.    From the anatomical point of view, the sports which imparts some pressure on the body should not be introduced up to 5 to 6 years of age, as till this age the process of development of body is in critical stage. Any extra pressure on body can lead to permanent deformity. Hence we recommend the starting age for Mallakhamb as 8 to 10 years. As far as competitive mallakhamb is concerned, early start up may give some advantage. But for non competitive approach, 10 to 12 years of age is ideal as Starting age, as this at this age body is not only physically but  mentally mature too.
 

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Q5. What are the disadvantages or drawbacks of this sport?

Ans.    Virtually there is absolutely no drawback yet noticed of this sport. As this event might have evolved naturally just by following various maneuvers performed by our ancestors, Apes, it is completely safe & pure exercise. But one should not try to overdose the performance of this apparatus & training of this sport must be initially taken under an expert guide.Various Yoga postures can be performed easily with the help of this apparatus. Inverted positions can be easily achieved with the help of this apparatus.
            But there are few things that some people may find difficult to swallow. Like i)Mallakhamb performance is to be executed with a clear open body like swimming events. Only "Costume" is allowed for Men & "Gymsuit or Leotard for women. The fact behind this is that the apparatus provides excellent massage to full body during the performance.
Some people may find it odd to get Castor Oil apply to their bodies. But Without castor oil one can not perform free movements on the apparatus. Especially on Pole Mallakhamb during maximum course of performance, apparatus is to be gripped in between legs, so due to friction of skin over the apparatus if the oil application is not proper, there are good chances of skin scratching at initial stages. But latter on skin gets acclimatized to the friction. The same thing may be noticed while performing Rope Mallakhamb. The diameter of Rope is only 20 mm. During the initial movements, rope must be tightly gripped in between Toe of feet. (I.e.in between thumb & first finger of leg). This grip may be painful initially & may cause the skin rubbing in that area.  

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Q6. What are the safety or precautionary majors to be taken before performing Mallakhamb?

Ans.    This apparatus is so natural that it gives exercise to almost all the body. But to get maximum advantage without any   problems, performer must concentrate on following safety points....

Out fits : Clothing is a very essential part to consider. On Pole mallakhamb where the body gets rubbed over the apparatus, only waist part should be covered by cloths. Thus Shorts or Costumes are ideal. Pole or Hanging Mallakhamb which has full swings & sudden stoppages or during the Catch movements involved in, protection of Private parts is essential. For this traditional ware called as "Langot" is must to ware. Langot is nothing but a broad ( 10 mm wide) strip of cloth to be tighten to waist which can then controls or holds the private parts tightly & acts as center pad. For girls the out fights should not be too tight to make the movements restricted. We recommend the Gymsuit or Leotards or Short & T.shirt for rope performance.

Apparatus : before each performance, performer must check out the proper fixing of the apparatus. Rope & Hanging Mallakhamb must be checked for there sturdiness of the Hang. The grip of the apparatus must be checked & also it is important to check the mattresses for there firmness & gaps in between.

Help : Performer must be confident enough in his/her helper. The element which was to be performed must be clearly declared to the helper.

Area: The movements on Mallakhamb involve various acrobatic elements. These movements not to be obstructed by any other object. For this reason there must be a safe distance from all the sides of apparatus. In case of Rope Mallakhamb, the freely hanging lower part of rope can get entangled with some thing even to the frame of rope. Hence movements of rope must be observed carefully by trainer or helper.

First Aid: Generally proper training of Mallakhamb does not require the first aid box, but first aid box must be kept ready at the time of performance. As far as the injuries involved in Mallakhamb are considered, minor cuts or bruises can happen during Rope performance.

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