History of Nabard

“When tradition meets innovation; History is made."-Master Safakhoo

Practitioners of martial arts would be interested to know the origins of the techniques and practices available today. It would be a disservice to the evolution of martial practices for the Middle Eastern predecessors to not be acknowledged for the valuable contributions made from every point in history. The Middle East is rich in martial practices and concepts, some of which are being developed and refined in the twenty-first century. Modern Israel began to develop the National System of Defensive Tactics known as Krav Ma Ga just prior to 1948. The Persians have a notable fighting practice known as Nabard, an exotic art of combat. The word 'nabard' (loosely translated as 'combat') was the term used to refer to traditional Persian martial practice. Its application as a communication of martial tactics evolved through the society's needs and cultural changes into an expression of traditional martial customs. The expressions of fighting skills and practices are clearly expressed in the movements. Elements of traditional martial practice are still exhibited in an expression of fighting dance performed in suburbs throughout Persia. By applying the principals of of this tradition to a strategy of survival, Safakhoo designed a martial art system which he has named "Nabard, the Persian art of combat."

Another notable and influencial Persian sport Varzesh-e Pahlavani (Persian varzeš-e pahlavane ) meaning the "Sport of the Heroes", also known as Varzesh-e Bastani (Persian varzeš-e bastni) meaning the "Sport of the Ancients", is a traditional discipline of gymnastics and wrestling of Iran, which was originally an academy of physical training for military purposes. Varzesh-e Pahlavani combines elements of the pre-Islamic Iranian culture with the spirituality of Sufism. Participants are expected to be pure, truthful, and good tempered and strong in body. The principles of unpretentiousness are exemplified by a verse recited at many meetings: "Learn modesty, if you desire knowledge."

The main part of a Varzesh-e Pahlavani session is dedicated to gymnastics or calisthenics, notably using a pair of wooden Indian clubs (mil) and metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights ('kaman). The exercises also involve acrobatics like Sufi whirling and juggling. The sessions end with submission wrestling known as the Koshti Pahlavani.

Though similar to Varzesh-e Pahlavani in body and strength conditioning techniques as well as Zoroastrianism in principles and philosophy, Nabard - The Persian Art of Combat, is designed as a war strategy and based on multifaceted concepts and interchangeable techniques. The martial arts have varied roots, all of which are intertwined in one another. One practice of martial art will evolve as the methods begin to include principals from other systems.

The fact the martial arts are growing in our modern times exhibits the need for self-defense as well as the potential for self-actualization and balance possible through the study of martial arts. As the Israeli government was able to develop and refine martial practices from varied backgrounds, Nabard is a forerunner in the advancement and refinement of martial arts. With roots in native traditions, Nabard grows from the potential of its Persian roots into a modern and effective fighting system.

Nabard is the traditional Persian martial practice. The application of Nabard as a communication of martial tactics evolved through the society's needs and cultural changes into an expression of traditional martial customs. The expressions of fighting skills and practices are clearly expressed in the movements. Nabard is still exhibited in an expression of fighting dance performed in suburbs throughout Persia. By applying the principals of Nabard to a strategy of survival, Safakhoo designed a martial art system known as Nabard, the Persian art of combat.