Did you know? There are a few energy points in our body that can heal specific pains.
These points are referred to as marma points in Ayurveda. Chinese medicine refers to these points as Acupressure or Acupuncture points. These points store life-breath pranic energy.
If there is any strong propel on the marma points, it may cause serious problems and lead to death. Marmas are sensitive areas found at the junctions of muscles, bones, and nerves.
Also, Marma is part of Vedic sciences and is available in Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s martial art form. At times you fall, or you may meet with an accident that can harm your body. The injuries can be treated in such situations using medicines, therapies, and manipulation techniques.
Although Marma damages are difficult to diagnose, the experts get through the injuries by observing the patient’s signs and symptoms. Let us now understand deeply about the marma points, where they appear, how they work, their benefits, and much more.
What Is a Marma Point?
Marma originates from a Sanskrit source, ‘Mrin Maranae.’ There is a Sanskrit phrase “mriyatae asmin iti marma,” which means that there are chances of death or severe damage to health if these points are inflicted. These areas are called Marma. In Sanskrit, Marma means hidden or secret.
Marma points appear along the subtle channels called Nadis. Nadis are similar to meridians in Chinese medicine. When toxins block the passageways in our body, mental distress can block these points, decreasing the energy flow. But a soft touch on the marma points releases the blocks allowing Prana to flow easily through the connecting organs providing them with a new lease of life.
Where Do They Appear in the Body?
There are 107 marma points in the physical body and consciousness. The mind is the 108th marma point. Major points correspond to the seven chakras or energy centers of the body. At the same time, minor points radiate out along the torso and limbs. The size of the points occurs in the range of one to six inches in diameter.
The marma points are classified into five different categories:
- 11 on muscle joints
- 41 on veins
- 27 on vital ligament unions
- 8 on bone unions
- 20 on vulnerable joints
History of Marma Points
Marma point massage originated in Southern India in 1500 BC. The masters of Kalari, which is an ancient martial art, discovered the marma points. During the battle, the Kalari fighters aimed the opponent’s marma points to cause pain and injury. The soldiers used armor to protect their horse’s marma points while on the battleground.
Marma therapy was the treatment given to the wounded soldiers. The Ayurvedic physicians identified the power of the marma therapy and bought Kalari masters to the hospitals to educate others about this technique. As the days passed, marma-point training was made mandatory for surgeons. And today, marma-point massage is one of the important components of Ayurvedic healing.
How Does Marma Therapy Work?
According to Vedic Wisdom, there are 72,000 channels of Nadis that enter the body. When pranic energy flows through these Nadis, our body functions normally. If this pranic energy gets stagnant or there is any interruption in the flow, there will be complications in our health.
Let’s understand what interrupts the flow of pranic energy through the body. There is a wide range of practices like:
- Consumption of devitalized food.
- Fluctuating sleep patterns.
- Too much emotional stress.
- Overexposure to sunlight.
- Excess pollution
- Limiting exposure to nature
Marma Chikitsa eases the flow of pranic energy through the Nadis and increases the vitality in the body parts. Marma therapy facilitates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Benefits of marma therapy
Marma points are the access points through which the healing, sustaining, and vitalizing life force enters our body. Now let’s explore the benefits of marma therapy.
- Self-care and self-healing practices for great health and happiness.
- Builds up the strength in organs and tissues.
- Detoxifies all the levels in the body.
- It enhances food consumption and digestion in the body.
- Improves the functioning of the organ system.
- Clears the mental and physical energy blockages.
- Prevents the signs of aging and gives a glowing look and healthier skin.
- Eliminates the neurochemicals like serotonin and melatonin and improves cognitive abilities.
- A good marma massage transforms a person into a better being.
- Marma Chikitsa helps to increase the immunity of an individual.
- Marma therapy helps balance the temperature of the body.
- With marma therapy, you can control your mind and brain.
- It improves one’s sleep patterns.
Marma therapy provides a complete connection with the body, mind, and spirit. Marma Chikitsa releases enough energy in our bodies. For those who wish to be more productive, live a better life, and enjoy a high sense of awareness, Marma therapy is for them.
How Are the Marma Points Stimulated?
When you touch or massage the marma points, they are stimulated. The massage therapist begins the massage session using one or more fingers. The therapist starts with a light touch and then makes it firm over a period of one to three minutes on each point. The motions of the therapist can be either direct or circular.
The massage movements in the clockwise direction stimulate energy flow and strengthen the internal organs. This direction pacifies Vata & Kapha and may stimulate Pitta dosha.
The counter-clockwise direction detoxifies the body and reduces the excess growth of tissues. This massage calms pitta dosha and stimulates Vata & Kapha dosha. Direct movements balance Vata dosha. The massage session lasts for 60 to 90 minutes. During this span, the therapist covers all the marma points.
Final Word
After having detailed information about the marma points, their working, and their benefits, you should also start using marma therapy in your daily routines. Working on marma points, you can control Prana (energy) levels, sensory and motor organs, and hence the entire body and mind. Practicing these therapies will help you move forward towards self-care, creativity, and renewed energy.
