Adam Phillips

Adam Phillips — Kalarippayat Instructor & Kalari Marma Therapist Adam Phillips is an internationally respected Kalarippayat instructor and Kalari Marma therapist with over 25 years of experience teaching, treating, and researching this ancient South Indian martial and healing system. Trained in Kerala under Gurukkal C.M. Sherif (Kerala Kalarippayat Academy), Adam is among the most experienced non-Indian masters of the art and has led workshops across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Rooted in India’s oldest science of movement and healing, Kalarippayattu combines dynamic physical conditioning with Marma therapy — a unique form of manual treatment that releases muscular tension, enhances fascia health, and supports recovery from injury and stress. Drawing on his dual background in physiotherapy and performance, Adam translates these traditional methods into modern, evidence-based wellness programs. As founder of Kalari Lab, Co-founder of the International Academy of Kalarippayat Studies in Italy and most recently Dubai Kalari Mukhtabar in Dubai, Adam has trained over 2000 students both online and in-person and treated hundreds of clients worldwide. His work bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary biomechanics and neuroscience, offering an integrated approach to physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional regulation. Now based between Europe and Dubai, Adam brings Kalari’s holistic discipline to the UAE’s fast-growing wellness and innovation landscape. His programs for corporate clients, wellness centres, and executive retreats are designed to reduce stress, improve posture and mobility, and cultivate focused, balanced leadership. Dedicated to advancing the science behind Kalari, Adam is currently developing the iKalari App - and authoring 'Kalari: The Science Behind the Art'. His mission is to introduce this ancient Indian art to the modern Gulf — combining cultural authenticity with measurable benefits for health, performance, and human potential.