Great Article on Zurhkanie

The new issue of The Journal of Asian Martial Arts has a 20 page article on the Iranian Zurhkanie - or House of Strength. For those of you into such things or Maxwell's article - this is great stuff and confirms all of the info in the article. Hindu pushups, club swinging, shield lifting, spinning.

[casey]

These guys are incredible! I had the privilege to see a Zurkhane demonstration in DC two years ago. These guys were basically drumming (maybe more like alternating shield casts) with Bruiser-equivalents (made out of wood) for dozens of reps. Not to mention the pushups, wrestling, etc.

Any top Iranian pahlavan would be right at home in the Bruiser division OCS. Coach Sonnon or any one else, is there any way that RMAX can get in touch officially with some of these athletes? I think there is an opportunity for a tremendous exchange of traditional technique and modern innovation. Both sides would come out stronger.

Casey

[Scott Sonnon]

Bill,

Right on. The word continues to spread, and more people are becoming informed on integrated physical cultural lifestyles. Who authored the article?

Casey,

Actually you'll find an historical chapter in my book, Clubbell Training For Circular Strength, contributed by Farzad Nekoogar, the North American senior representative of Varzesh-e Pahlavani (http://www.pahlavani.com/), the traditional Iranian martial art responsible for Zoorkhaneh (you'll find more info if you do a search under this transliteration.)

Farzad loves his Clubbells and enjoys their training value. Of course he still uses his beautifully-crafted ceremonial meels for the Zoorkhaneh.

Remember, however, that the Clubbell is purely a strength training tool and has no traditional cultural relevance. As a result, the Clubbell was crafted to maximize the challenge upon the user and minimize size. For instance, a 45lbs Clubbell is dramatically more challenging than even a 60lbs meel, simple for the reason that the Clubbell center of mass is specifically placed near the end of the body, rather than equally distributed throughout in the meel.

The traditionally observant Pahlavan would not be permitted to enter OCS competition for the nature of the traditional prohibitions involved in Varzesh-e Pahlavani. Outsiders are typically prohibited from entering and learning about Zoorkhaneh, because of its deeply sacred overtones. However, there are more and more who are more 'universal' and less culturally restricted in their participation. I suspect you will find some very challenging OCS athletes coming this tradition as time passes.

When the office's new equipment goes online, we'll be placing free video segments from within the "House of Power" which Steve Maxwell and Farzad Nekoogar have contributed to RMAX.tv Productions.