In this exclusive interview with The Commune, we have the pleasure of talking to Abhinav Kadambi and Krishna Rajaganesan, the co-founders of “Temple of Strength.” Both Abhinav and Krishna bring diverse backgrounds to their partnership, having pursued various fields of study before embarking on their journey to promote holistic strength training. Their shared passion for traditional health and fitness methods led them to establish the “Temple of Strength,” where they aim to democratise and spread knowledge about ancient fitness practices. Here’s a deep dive into their inspiring journey, motivations, and the unique approach they bring to the world of fitness.
The Commune: How did your partnership come to be, given your different backgrounds? What inspired the idea of “Temple of Strength”?
Abhinav: Both Krishna and I are trained engineers and alumni of the same university, SASTRA. Though we didn’t meet on campus, our paths converged through Instagram. I noticed Krishna’s posts about Indian martial arts, particularly wrestling and traditional fitness equipment for health and fitness. Intrigued by his content, I reached out to explore potential collaboration due to our shared interests. Our backgrounds aligned seamlessly – I had studied subjects ranging from biomedical device design to animal behaviour and cognition to cognitive neuroscience research abroad to returning to India to study Samskritam and Shastram traditionally, while Krishna’s exploration spanned marketing, experience at a startup, and martial arts including silambattam (martial art with staffs), Kusthi (Indian Wrestling), Tai Chi, and even animal movement. This serendipitous meeting ignited our shared vision to democratise holistic strength training and make traditional methods accessible to everyone.
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Krishna: Our inspiration was rooted in our collective belief that traditional knowledge holds the key to holistic health and fitness. We were determined to make this invaluable heritage accessible to everyone. We aimed to counter the impact of colonial history and external influences that had deterred us from embracing our legacy.
The Commune: What motivated you to establish the “Temple of Strength” and pursue holistic strength training?
Krishna: Our inspiration came from recognising the wealth of knowledge within our cultural heritage that had been sidelined or forgotten. We aimed to bring back these methods, hailing from our ancestors, to address health and fitness needs holistically. Our primary focus is on strength, as it acts as a natural defence against diseases. We believe strength training is more than physical – it extends to the mind and breath, creating a holistic approach. We wanted to empower individuals to take control of their health, using methods that are tried, tested, and rooted in tradition.
The Commune: When was Temple of Strength launched?
Krishna: We conducted beta testing a few months ago through a 48-day Mandala programme. This enabled us to fine-tune our modules and understand how participants responded. The feedback was incredibly positive, and many participants continue to train with us. After a two-month hiatus, we analysed the results, which reaffirmed the effectiveness of our holistic approach.
The Commune: How do you define “democratising holistic strength training”?
Abhinav: At its core, our mission revolves around making traditional health and fitness practices accessible to the public. Our focus on strength is deliberate, as strength acts as a shield against diseases. Holistic strength training extends beyond physical well-being and encompasses mental and emotional strength. By emphasising these facets and incorporating breathwork, we offer a comprehensive approach to training. We aim to make traditional health and fitness practices accessible to everyone. We personalise our modules based on each individual’s Prakriti (constitution) and lifestyle. We distinguish ourselves by tailoring fitness regimens to suit different professions and needs. Unlike standardised gym workouts, we provide holistic education, focusing on both body and mind. We believe in making individuals self-reliant in taking care of their health, enhancing their overall well-being.
Krishna: Holistic fitness addresses the mind, body, and spirit triad. Our training modules draw from diverse martial arts, yoga, and traditional practices like Silambam. The goal is to cultivate physical, emotional, and societal strength while enhancing spiritual growth. Our approach involves understanding an individual’s character, lifestyle, and metabolic activity before customising a fitness programme.
The Commune: What sets Temple of Strength apart from regular gyms and other training methods?
Krishna: Our hybrid modules amalgamate knowledge from various disciplines. We’ve combined martial arts, yoga, and breathwork to create a comprehensive fitness regimen. This amalgamation is something that traditional practices have offered for centuries but is often missing in modern fitness approaches. We provide a systematic and methodical approach to ensure no side effects, considering individual characteristics and needs.
The Commune: Who is your target audience, and who are the ideal students for Temple of Strength?
Abhinav: Our ideal students are children aged 7 or 8 and above, up to any age. We’ve found that children above the age of 7 can comprehend and follow the movements better than children below that age. There is no upper age limit, anyone who is interested in improving their strength can be a student. Recently, we conducted a workshop for a Gurukulam in Ujjain, and the participants, aged 8 to 23, experienced remarkable transformations. We believe anyone seeking strength and holistic health can benefit from our programme.
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Krishna: Our modules are tailored to suit specific sets of individuals, like those with sedentary jobs or custom-designed for professional dancers. We especially want to empower women as they play a pivotal role in nurturing healthier families and societies. Our personalised approach and focus on overall well-being set us apart from conventional fitness practices. Our hybrid approach and emphasis on holistic fitness make it adaptable to various lifestyles and age groups.
The Commune: Can you tell us about your training methods and modules?
Krishna: Our modules combine movements from various martial arts, yoga, and breathwork, ensuring a holistic approach. We assess each student’s needs and Prakriti before formulating customised diet charts and fitness regimens. Our classes are conducted both online and offline. We conduct camps where we teach at Gurukulams/vedic schools in person too. Our goal is to impart fitness as a skill, so individuals can sustain a healthy lifestyle, and we do this by focusing on their specific requirements. Our approach is distinctive, as we teach fitness as a skill, rather than a mere routine. We spend time researching and customising our modules to cater to specific audiences. For instance, we took 1.5 months to interview dancers and understand their pain points and requirements to create a specialised module for them. This thorough approach allows us to design effective and impactful fitness modules.
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Q: Silambam and Kalari are gaining popularity, how are you promoting Kusthi and what’s its acceptance like?
Krishna: In today’s context, many martial arts are primarily associated with performance, as seen with Silambam. However, traditional training used to entail a mandatory six-month physical strength regimen before even handling the Silambam, known as “Meipaadam” or “Meivazhakkam.” Sadly, this essential practice has been lost to the present generation. Unlike contemporary training solely geared towards performance, we focus on functional strength, improved productivity, and disease prevention. While we might introduce performance-based modules in the future, our current focus is on movement exercises.
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The Commune: Do you have women participants?
Krishna: Absolutely, women are an integral part of our student group. We’ve recently developed a module designed specifically for dancers, particularly Bharatanatyam practitioners. We’ve organised workshops, focusing on traditional fitness methods derived from martial arts and yoga. The modules are categorised into three levels to cater to beginners, intermediates, and advanced participants. Our mission is to empower women through targeted fitness training, and we’re exploring specialised courses for pregnant women as well.
The Commune: Do you analyse participants’ lifestyles and habits when they sign up for your course?
Krishna: Absolutely, understanding their “Prakriti” or inherent constitution is pivotal. Once we have a clear picture, we design modules to suit their needs. While attending classes is essential (constituting around 20% of the journey), the real impact—about 80%—happens when students apply what they’ve learned. We engage in regular calls, monitoring their progress and offering assistance. This comprehensive approach allows us to create modules to suit their specific requirements.
The Commune: Do you provide dietary guidelines as well?
Krishna: Yes, we do. Dietary recommendations are based on individual “Prakriti.” For example, individuals with a “Vata” constitution must avoid certain foods, while those with “Pitta” tendencies should steer clear of spicy foods. We provide a structured diet chart that needs to be strictly followed. Our modules consist of three weekly classes, totaling twelve per month. By attending a minimum of nine classes, participants witness improvements—better sleep cycles, enhanced physical sensations, and an overall sense of well-being. The changes become palpable, and students often request to increase exercise intensity based on their evolving journey.
The Commune: Have your current students previously tried gym workouts, treadmill sessions, or activities like Zumba?
Krishna: Interestingly, our students predominantly come from a yoga background. While yoga primarily addresses the mind, making adaptations to yoga exercises leads to physical changes. Our target audience is individuals who desire a more intense yoga practice and want to avoid gym environments due to discomfort, pain, or body tightness. These individuals are looking for a holistic approach and the convenience of home-based practice.
The Commune: How do you plan to address competition in the fitness industry?
Krishna: We view our approach as an alternative lifestyle rather than a competition. Fitness isn’t merely a lifestyle; bodybuilding is a sport. But even bodybuilders eventually retire, often citing the negative impacts of steroids on their lives. Unfortunately, these stories are often overlooked. Our mission is to provide education and an alternative to the massive fitness industry.
Consider Vidyut Jamwal, known for his muscular physique. His association with MuscleBlaze supplements limits his Kalari training. In contrast, my 80-year-old guru lifts me with ease, relying on traditional techniques, not diets or supplements.
Our hybrid training combines physical muscle growth with enhanced mental focus, fostering inner calmness. As individuals gain strength, they can focus on meaningful goals, like nurturing strong families. While competition exists, our exercises differ from bodybuilding, requiring unique muscular flexibility for athletic and martial movements. We aim to revive lost ancestral fitness wisdom.
The Commune: Have you encountered any resistance or negative reactions to your ideas?
Krishna: It’s not negativity; rather, it’s a need for clarity. Fitness concepts often require thorough explanation, which takes time. People quickly associate “fitness” with gyms, raising questions about the link between gym culture and actual health. Incidents like cardiac arrests during weightlifting underscore safety concerns. In our approach, personalisation is key. Modules differ for professionals like IT workers or dancers, preventing a one-size-fits-all approach. Templated exercises lack holistic understanding, risking injuries and neglecting individual diversity. Mainstream fitness lacks this holistic view, and gym environments pose hygiene risks too.
The Commune: What are some other positive transformations you’ve observed in your students?
Abhinav: Our success stories reflect profound positive transformations. For instance, a research scholar lost 15 kgs in our 48-day programme, improving mobility and gaining strength. Other students in their 20s and 30s experienced increased muscle mass and stamina. Dancers reported enhanced strength, while school students felt improved stamina and reduced injury risks. We’ve witnessed individuals overcoming back problems and limited mobility, gaining strength and flexibility. Our approach fosters continuous learning, cultivating a movement for individuals to become smarter and stronger. We’ve seen students gain significant improvement in posture, reduction in pain, increased stamina, and better overall well-being. We’ve also observed positive changes in muscle strength and body composition. Our tailor-made approach helps students achieve their fitness goals more effectively. Our transparent approach encourages self-sufficiency after acquiring skills and achieving fitness goals.
The Commune: Do you believe that traditional Indian methods of fitness will gain acceptance and popularity in the future?
Krishna: Undoubtedly, traditional fitness methods will garner acceptance and momentum in the future. This movement is reminiscent of the “organic” revolution in the fitness industry, emphasising the importance of moving away from processed foods. Each gym exercise comes with documented side effects, often undisclosed to the public. I perceive this as a battle akin to naturopathy versus allopathy, representing the clash between strength training and conventional gym culture. The casualties are unsuspecting individuals. Our mission is to steer them away from these pitfalls. Take the example of a rower, a common exercise equipment. People buy it for home use, thinking they’re enhancing their health, but excessive usage can lead to arthritis. Our approach differs – a minimal charge of 3000 rupees, equivalent to two pizzas, offers a wiser investment. Joining us equates to investing in genuine well-being, not just physical fitness, but also mental acuity. Self-prioritisation is the foundation of this journey. Fear of the unknown often holds people back; we aim to eradicate that fear. A mere month of training with us guarantees a remarkable boost in confidence.
Abhinav and Krishna’s journey with the “Temple of Strength” exemplifies their commitment to reviving and promoting traditional fitness methods for holistic well-being. By offering personalised and research-driven modules, they are transforming lives and empowering individuals to prioritise their health and strength through natural and sustainable means. The Commune wishes them the very best in their journey and hope that their efforts continue to positively impact many more individuals as they navigate the path of authentic well-being. Those interested can get in touch with them through their Instagram handles – Abhinav Kadambi & Krishna Rajaganesan