A video is currently going viral on the Internet, wherein a foreigner is seen wielding a heavy gada (mace) as he is cheered by locals in India. Upon completion of the exercise, he receives a rousing reception from the spectators, some of whom hug him while congratulating the effort.
The man is Harbert Harte Egberts, better known on social media as The Flowing Dutchman, is a Dutch breathwork instructor, movement expert, and martial artist who has gained global attention for his unique style and fluid techniques.
He is especially known for his work with rotational training tools like the mace, clubs, and other flow equipment. While his movement journey began in Europe, it was India that gave his path a new direction.
Harbert first visited India in 2017 and was deeply inspired by its rich traditional training methods, especially those followed in Akhadas — ancient Indian wrestling schools. These Akhadas are not just places for physical training, but hold spiritual and cultural significance.
Watching the wrestlers train with the Gada, a traditional Indian mace made of wood or bamboo with a heavy cement or stone head, left a lasting impact on him.
Used for centuries by mythical warriors like Lord Hanuman and Bhima, the Gada is both a symbol of power and a powerful training tool. Harbert saw more than just strength in it — he saw rhythm, flow, and deep tradition.
He began learning directly from Indian teachers in these Akhadas and started blending what he learned with his own background in European movement practices. What came out of this was a graceful and powerful way of training, where strength met flow.
He started using the Gada not only to build physical strength but also to enhance coordination, balance, and control. His smooth transitions and rhythmic movements with the heavy Gada have now become a signature style, admired by people across the world. Many even say his Gada practice looks like a form of dance — strong, yet graceful.
To share this knowledge with a wider audience, Harbert founded the Dutch Flow Academy in 2017. The academy teaches people how to handle rotational training equipment like the steel mace, also called the macebell, along with clubs and other flow tools. The focus is on gaining skill, flow, and creativity — not just raw power.
Through his platform, Harbert trains students worldwide, helping them understand how to move with freedom and control by mastering momentum.
His journey is a beautiful example of how traditional Indian fitness techniques are influencing modern global practices. The Flowing Dutchman continues to travel, learn, and teach, always honouring the roots of his inspiration—the ancient warrior culture of India.
