Simple Pentra
also: Pantra

The Simple Pentra is a balance and coordination exercise. It teaches you to fight with the earth, not against it. It is the foundation of Gatka. No matter how masterful one becomes in this art, the Simple Pentra will always be of value.

There are many advantages in practicing the Simple Pentra, the coordinated movement of the hands and feet balance the major energy meridians of the body and mind. This balancing also effects the left and right hemispheres which will induce a state of meditation known as the neutral mind. The neutral mind is the ideal mental attitude for our practice.

As your training advances, you will discover that the right and left hands are used equally and simultaneously. This demands a certain ambidextrous ability. The inherent abilities of the left and right hemispheres increase in effectiveness. This is an obvious advantage for the development of survival skills.

Another fascinating attribute of the Simple Pentra is its ability to recalibrate the sense of balance. This is accomplished by reestablishing the sensitive bond between the earth’s magnetic field and that of the individual. This knowledge is what gives us pinpoint balance in Gatka. The repeated practice of the Simple Pentra will increase our sensitivity to this innate human gift. Pentra literally means “something to be practiced until it is mastered.”

The essence of Gatka movement is the Pentra. This simple four step movement has much to offer if practiced daily. In time as proficiency is gained and the benefits begin to make themselves known, the Pentra will become the center of your practice.

Stick Pentra
also: Stick Pantra

Adding the Soti to the simple Pentra it becomes even more powerfull. There are two attacking and two blocking motions covered within the Stick Pentra. It is practiced whith the right and the left hand.

Double Stick Pentra

One of the most powerfull techniques in Gatka is the use of double weapons. These weapons can be the same, such as double stick, or different, such as sword and a dagger. The use of double weapons creates a shield for the entire body wich will be virtually impenetrable. The basic movements of the Pentra, Maroaara, Front Flick and Chungii are designed in such a way as to allow the left and right moves of each to be done simultaneously.

Maroaara

Maroaara is the continuous swinging motion of the stick which protects the lower body from attacks. It is an attacking and blocking move. The attack is made on the forward portion of the swing, usually directed to the head or throat of an opponent. Because of the quickness and power of the move, it is banned from use during practice or sparring. It can be done while stationary but is usually done in a waddling walk. It is practiced whith the right and the left hand.

Double stick Maroaara

It completely shields the body below the waist. You can create a sphere around yourself by using two sticks.

Front Flick

The Front Flick motion is usualy done in a standing position. It protects the front portion of the upper body. This clearing motion allows you to go through crowds of attackers. It is practiced whith the right and the left hand.

Double Stick Front Flick

The double sticks intensify one’s clearing and shielding abilities. If you are knocked down in a fighting position, the double stick Front Flick motion provides defense for the upper body. You can create a powerfull sphere in front of you while using two sticks.

Chungji Escape

This is a movement which allows the fighter to escape while defending himself against a crowd. It means “to jump like a deer”. Chungii Escape necessitates accuracy and understanding of body placement in space. The movement is initiated by simultaneous movement of arm and knee, bent in preperation.

Double Stick Chunji Escape

Like outher double stick maneuvers, the double stick Chungii Escape is spectacular to view. The momentum generated by the two sticks can create an unexpectedly high jump. This is a powerful defensive tool.

Dance of the Sword

When all these moves are learned well, you can start to combine these techniques. The goal is to be able to protect yoursself, move and attack at every point at any time in a extremly hostile enviorment like a battlefeld. While dancing with the sword it can teach you a lot about momentum and the flow of energie, when suported by the rhythm of a Nagara (war drum). It also creates a very good feeling and is lots of fun. It can be done with one or two swords or with any combination of weapons.

Nine Hit Pentra

There are 33 different areas that can be targetet on the body by a Gatka weapon. Of these, eight are major points. The eight major points have corresponding eight hits or attacks and eight blocks or counters. Each hit has a block and when these are executed correctly, the entire body is protected from attack. There are variations of the nine hits for every weapon.

Kal Thui
Kali Thui
Thui teg ar teer
Thui nishane jeet ki
Aaj tuhi jug veer
(Invocation Mantra)