Holistic practice involves the whole body, and harmoniously develops strength, flexibility and coordination.
Multi-faceted exercises and dynamic sequences of movement improve stamina, concentration and agility.
At the initial stage of practice, it is important to learn our own body, understand how it functions and prepare it to more advanced levels of practice. They include empty-hand combat and wielding wooden and metal weapons.
A part of kalarippayattu is a medical system called marma chikitsa (or kalari chikitsa) closely related to Ayurveda, a holistic Indian medicine.
Some of the kalari exercises are used in the traditional training system of Kerala actors and dancers.