What is Marma Therapy?

Marma Therapy, also known as Varma Kalai, is an important part of Ayurveda that helps to maintain health by cleansing blocked energy.

The word Marma is of Sanskrit origin ‘Mrin Maranae’.  So The Sanskrit phrase, “mriyatae asmin iti marma” means there is the likelihood of death or serious damage to health when these points are inflicted. Hence, these areas are called marma. Marma in Sanskrit also means hidden or secret.

What happens in Marma Therapy?

In Marma therapy, very light stimulation of points on the body is done. Our Marma therapist removes blockages from the marma points giving physical and psychological relaxation and strength. This is a powerful process and a therapy that works with these subtle and sensitive energy points to open the energy channels in the body are called srothas.

Traditional Marma Recognises three categories:There are (1) Shakha Marma (Legs & Feet), (2) Madhyamanga Marma (Trunk), and (3) Jatrudhara Marma (Neck & Head)

107 Marma Points in Ayurveda for Healing

The mind is considered as the 108th marma.

Major marma points correspond to the seven chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the torso and limbs. These points range in size from one to six inches in diameter. The points were mapped out in detail centuries ago in the ‘ Sushruta Samhita ’, a classic Ayurvedic text. The points cover both the front and back of the body, including:

  •      Mamsa Marma (Muscles) – 11 Points
  •      Asthi Marma (Bones) – 8 Points
  •      Snayu Marma (Tendons & Ligamants) – 27 Points
  •      Sandhi Marma (Joints) – 20 Points
  •      Shira Marma (Nerves, Veins & Arteries) – 41 Points

Benefits and Advantages of Marma Therapy

Marma therapies are profound and work at many levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual and can create dramatic shifts in the body.

  •      Relief from chronic or acute pain, both locally and distally
  •      Detoxification at all levels.
  •      Significant improvement in immunity, digestive, respiratory, neural & psychological functions
  •      Healthier skin and a radiant appearance
  •      Balances body temperature and can balance the doshas
  •      Releases neuro-chemicals like serotonin, melatonin for improved cognitive function & deeper sleep

What can be cured by Marma Therapy or Marma Chikitsa?

  •      Paralysis
  •      Sciatic pain
  •      Migraine
  •      Tremors
  •      Diabetic neuropathy
  •      Muscular cramps
  •      Trigeminal Neuralgia
  •      Facial or Bell’s palsy
  •      Urinary incontinence
  •      Lumbar Spondylitis
  •      Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
  •      Cervical Spondylitis
  •      Cervical Spondylolisthesis
  •      Digestion problems
  •      Frozen shoulder
  •      Carpal tunnel syndrome
  •      Muscular and joint pain
  •      Frozen joints
  •      Muscular strain
  •      Respiratory conditions

Marma Treatment and the Diet

What should be your diet like, while undergoing Marma treatment? The process of Marma may take several hours and our Marma Therapist may also involve the massage of different parts of the body.

One should have a light meal before Marma and wait for at least half an hour before starting the treatment. You can have fruits, buttermilk, unprocessed cereals in limited quantity, or light vegetables, before the treatment. In case your treatment stretches through the day, you can take a break and eat a light lunch which should be low on fat and light on the stomach so that is easily digested.

A fistful of rice or two chapatis along with a bowl of vegetables can be consumed as lunch. It is important to rest for a while post-meal, before starting the treatment again, to allow food to settle down or it may cause vomiting.