In the northern kerala style the emphasis is laid on progressing from body exercises to combat with weapons and last of all to unarmed combat.It is mainly practiced in the northern malabar region of Kozhikode & Kannur.Masters in this system are usually known as Gurukkal or occasionally as Asaan.The northern style is distinguished by its meipayattu - physical training & use of full body oil massage.The purpose of medicinal oil massage is to increase the practioners flexibility , to trat muscle injuries incurred during practice or remove the problems of bone tissues, the muscle or nerve system.The term for such massage is Thirumal and the massage specifically for physical flexibility ' chavutti thirummal'' which literally means '' foot massage''.The massecure may use their feet and body weight to massage the person.