Marma Chikitsa

Marma Chikitsa is a significant aspect of the AYURVEDIC treatments. Marmas are specific points on the body where the application of pressure induces the flow of vital energy (prana) along a complex system of subtle channels called (nadis). Based on the knowledge enumerated in Dhanur Veda (deals in martial art), ayurveda recognizes about 107 therapeutic marma points. The injury to some of these lethal marma points can lead to instant death. Massage is widely applied in the treatment of marmas.

Thus healing through marma abhayangam affects the chakras, Physical health and the doshas. The purpose of a marma Abhayangam is to stimulate the various body organs and systems.

Marma therapy focuses on energizing the body to relieve occupational illness and stress related diseases. Often, it helps the couples to re-establish harmony in marital life. Here, Kalari master is the spiritual Guru, Counsellor and physiotherapist all rolled in to one. Marma Chikitsa (therapeutic treatment in vital points) is an offshoot of the Kalaripayattu; Kerala's martial art.

In Kerala, marma therapy joins the streams of sidha & Kalari. Marma Chikitsa brings equilibrium between the tridosha vatta, pitta, kapha. These three elements from the essence of life.

Marma Chikitsa is basically a neuromuscular and orthopaedic science. Oil therapy or Snehana is an important part of marma chikitsa. Warm, medicated oils are applied in large amount all over the body, the medicated oils are used in specific body sites such as on the chakras and marma points or at specific trouble spots, the body is then massaged using these oils.

According to Sushruta, author of Sushruta Samhita, the ancient treatise on ayurveda, human body contains 107 marma points which, when struck or massaged, produce desired healing or injurious results.

At present, marma treatment is available only in Kerala. The system takes 8-10 years to learn and is used for three basic purposes : healing, massaging and increasing physical flexibility. A student can heal independently after he completes his course and works as an apprentice with his guru for two to three years. Though this ancient art is gradually finding its way into the mainstream of life, it has retained its exclusivity through a strong guru-disciple tradition. Says Vd. Vinesh Kumar, "The first thing we are taught is to respect our elders our guru being the foremost. Marma is not only a technique but a way of life".

We at AYURJYOTI have studied and practised kalari-marma chikitsa from Guru-Shisya Parampara.