Ayurveda offers various holistic healing methods to treat human health, where, on one hand, Ayurveda includes various therapies, Ayurvedic treatments, Ayurvedic massages, and Ayurvedic herbs. On the other hand, Ayurveda also includes the therapy of Marmas. Marma Points therapy is one of the natural ways of healing various ailments related to the body, mind, and soul without any invasive procedures or chemical-based medicine. It is a method of massaging the Marma points present in our body in order to unlock them and ensure an active flow of energy through them.
This Marma therapy helps in the better functioning of the Marma points, as each of the Marma points is associated with different aspects of our health and the body organs. Ayurvedic Marma therapy is used across the world to enjoy overall well-being. In this blog, we will learn about the different Marma points, their uses, and other facts about this therapeutic method of healing.
What are marma points?
Talking about marma, marma points are the different points present in the human body. These are the points of vital energy that are associated with different body organs, and they regulate health. Marmas are points where joints, sandhi, bones, asthi, ligaments, snayu, veins, sera, and muscles, mamsa, meet.
When the prana (life energy|) is flowing perfectly, the body is immune to different ailments and problems. When the marma points are blocked or are not stimulated enough and do not release enough energy, it can block the path of prana. When prana doesn’t flow correctly inside the body, it can make the body prone to various problems and diseases. Therefore, marma therapy is given in order to stimulate the various marma present in the body and ensure the right flow of life energy.
Ayurveda uses different ways to give the marma therapy and ensure the good functioning of all the marma points. The various methods that Ayurveda uses for marma therapy are as follows:
1. Abhyanga massage:
Different types of massages are mentioned in Ayurveda that help in massaging the marma points present in the body. Different types of oils are used to massage these marma points. Secondly, various dry powders made out of ancient herbs are also used in massaging the body. Different techniques like pezichil and kizhi are also used in order to ensure marma therapy.
2. Shirodhara marma therapy:
This is focused on the third eye chakra here. The marma present in the forehead is focused, and a warm stream of herbal preparation, like oils, milk, buttermilk, etc., is dropped on the forehead continuously. This helps in opening the marma, especially the sthapani marma and relieves it from various disorders.
3. Herbal labour:
Another beautiful method of stimulating the energy and the powers of marma points is marma therapy by using herbal paste. Here, different types of herbal medicated pastes are prepared and applied on the marma region to ensure strengthening of these marma points, which in turn results in good health.
4. Agni karma:
Her,e the marma points are stimulated by using heat or heated shalaka. Here, the direct heat is not given on the marma point because marma points are very sensitive; it is given through some instrument or in an indirect way.
5. Rakta mokshana:
Also known as bloodletting, rakta mokshana is a wonderful way in which the bad blood is withdrawn from the capillaries. This method includes letting the blood from the veins present very close to the targeted mamma point. It helps to detoxify the mamma point and ensure good working of the same.
6. Accupressure:
This is the most common method of stimulating the marma points. A certain pressure is put on the marma points to ensure their activation and proper functioning.
Location of Marma Points in the Body
The Murma, as per Ayurveda, there are 107 Marma points present in a human body, but the Marma therapy tradition makes it 108 in number by adding the Adhipati Murma point to it.
1. Head and Neck: There are 37 Marma points present in the region of our head and neck that regulate the wellness of the head and neck region.
2. Upper Limbs: The number of Marma points present in the upper limb area, i.e. arms and hands are 22. Each of these Marma points is associated with different functions of our body, and stimulating these Marma points ensures various health benefits.
3. Chest and Abdomen: There are a total of 12 Murma points present in our abdominal region as well as the chest region.
4. Back and Pelvic region: Talking about the pelvic region and the back, the total number of Marma points is 14. These points are associated with different parts of our body and also our health.
5. Lower Limbs: There are 23 Marma points present in our legs and feet that regulate our health and body.
Each of these 108 Marma Points is related to our health.
What are the benefits of marma points?
The different benefits of Marma Therapy are as follows:
1. Marma Therapy helps in balancing and ensuring the correct flow of life energy within the body.
2. Marma Therapy helps in maintaining the mental health balance by reducing anxiety, stress, and problems like depression, fatigue, low concentration, etc.
3. Marma Therapy helps in managing muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, and body pain.
4. Marma Therapy is also used to improve blood circulation and the functioning of the nervous system.
5. Marma Therapy is a holistic method to ensure a good blood flow and better nerve function in the body.
6. People dealing with different digestive issues and gut disorders often use Marma Therapy as it is a holistic way to massage and ensure the good functioning of digestive organs.
7. Marma Therapy is also used to balance the metabolism in the body naturally.
8. If you are dealing with low immunity or poor healing power, then Marma Therapy can work wonders.
9. People dealing with stressful lifestyles should make Marma Therapy a routine. It helps in attaining deep relaxation and also improves sleep quality.
10. Marma Therapy is also used to balance the hormones during different phases of life. It also ensures good reproductive health.
11. If you recently had any injury or are in any kind of recovery phase, then after consulting your doctor or practitioner, you might take Marma Therapy as a good recovery support.
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How to give yourself a marma points massage?
Marma Therapy should always be given by an expert. One should avoid taking it by oneself without any knowledge. But for those who know the art of the science of Marma Therapy, should follow these simple rules to make it beginner-friendly and effective.
1- You must never use any hard pressure on the Marma points. Marma points are very sensitive points in our body. Therefore, while giving the Marma Therapy, be sure that you are applying very gentle and mild pressure.
2- The best time to perform Marma Therapy is always right before going to bed or early in the morning.
3- While performing Marma Therapy, make sure that you are seated comfortably and always breathe slowly and calmly.
4- Using warm oils like sesame and coconut oil can increase the effectiveness of the Marma Therapy.
5- Never practice Marma Therapy for more than 10 to 15 minutes.
6- Always perform Marma Therapy under the expert’s guidance, or if you want to perform by yourself, always take a good training in Marma Therapy.
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Final Words
Marma Therapy is a holistic method to open up the various marma centres and ensure their proper functioning in the body. Marma points are associated with the different regions of our body and also regulate the health of different parts of our body. Marma Therapy helps in activating these marma points and ensuring wholesomeness. Ayurveda also uses different methods to activate these marma points as a part of holistic healing. Marma Therapy is much more than just putting normal pressure on the points. Therefore, the right guidance and right training are a must before performing Marma Therapy.
