We have all heard of Marma Points and recently it is gaining popularity all over the world.

Marmas are ayurvedic acupressure points. Marma means secret, hidden. Marmas are points on the body that can give life and death.

These marma points carry the vital “life force energy”. When these marma points are pressed, they work through the subtle energy channels called “nadis” to bring healing and energy to the body, mind and consciousness. Even though Marma means to cause harm or death. Quite interestingly, on the other hand, it can bring life force and give energy.

Historically Marma or the ‘vital’ points were studied to gain a better understanding of the body and how this can translate on the battlefield, as well as in the field of medicine. The word itself denotes an area that is ‘vulnerable’. In the Vedic times, this became instrumental in developing the art of war and how one could strike these vulnerable points and cause the opponent immense harm, and in some cases, cause instant death.

Interestingly, practitioners of the Kalaripayattu art form are taught these ‘vital points’, not only to wield during a battle but also post-practice, as a form of therapy. These vital points occur at specific intersections where joints, veins, muscles, tendons, tissues, and ligaments cross paths with each other. These areas offer one the opportunity to hurt or heal and that is why understanding Marma gives us insight into the ‘vulnerable’ spaces within the body.

The 108 Marma Points Chart is a map of vital points across the body and shows exactly how each point is meant to revive or rejuvenate a specific organ, function, or process within itself. Being connected to the various processes within the body, how one breathes, how one uses muscles, etc. is also essential to understanding the way to access these points more accurately. Therefore many practitioners of yoga, martial arts, and dance take an interest in studying the chart… So that they may bring together a more holistic understanding of every aspect of how one’s being is connected, and influenced by one another. It also encourages the use of the nature of life. Life is vulnerable and within that vulnerability lies a certain strength and power as well. The chart allows one to realize which area of the body is connected to the others and how to encourage a ‘communication’ system between these areas.

According to the Marma Chart, there are 108 points — 107 on the physical body and one in the mind. Each point corresponds to a specific vayu (function of prana), dosha (constitutional type), dhatu (bodily tissue), and srota (physical channel). The health of the body is determined by how freely ‘prana’ flows from the ‘nadis’ through these points. Any disruption to this flow causes impairment to one’s health. 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.

Major points correspond to the seven chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the torso and limbs. The points cover both the front and back body, including 22 on the lower extremities, 22 on the arms, 12 on the chest and stomach, 14 on the back, and 37 on the head and neck. The mind is considered the 108th marma. Traditionally, the points are grouped into 3 categories… Those on the legs and feet are Sanakha Marma; On the trunk, Madhayamanga Marma; and on the neck and head, Jatrurdhara Marma.

There are several factors that can inhibit the free flow of energy through the body. From lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, emotional stress, and disconnect from the natural environment. One must not underestimate the effect our modern lives have on our inner state. We feed our environments as much as they feed us back. If you notice a certain stagnation in the regular functioning of the body, it would be good to see if any of the above factors make up your daily routine.

Marma therapy works to clear stagnation in the vital energy points and thus increase vitality within the corresponding body parts. Because marma techniques work at the level of raw prana (prana that has not yet been differentiated into its various functions within the human body); its ability to facilitate physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing is immense.

Ayurvedic physician and author Dr. Vasant Lad suggests that flushing energy within the marma points can activate the body’s inner pharmacy, shifting one’s biochemistry and causing the unfolding of radical, alchemical changes. It’s the subtle layers of our being that hold the greatest power and potential. So how we treat those layers will determine the response from the depths of the body. Marma Point Therapy requires a specific firmness and gentleness – a precise, soft dance, between the giver and the receiver. Energy is of a subtle nature. It requires communication in a similar manner. Here, the intent is greater than force or pressure.

Our intent must remain at the forefront of this process. One who practices Marma Therapy needs to remain in tune with the intent to move gently, as much as the receiver of the therapy must remain in tune with being open and vulnerable. This will facilitate the right kind of subtle communication and allow the channels to communicate back to the body and the points as well.

Having said that, if one is afflicted with heart disease, cancer, varicose veins, a high fever, ruptured discs, a skin disease, or if one is pregnant, it is advised that they contact their doctor prior to submitting to the Marma Point treatment. While this Ayurvedic form of therapy is rooted in the deep ancient wisdom of the body, it is essential that the nuances of one’s predicament be made aware through clear communication and dialogue with the therapist so they may proceed accordingly.

Finding a safe space, a sensitive therapist, and an educated practitioner to guide one through the 108 Marma Point chart is essential. The SIDDHA MARMA Points Training Course offered by Aithein Healing in Goa provides guidance and knowledge about the 107 gross marma points one can connect to through the physical body. This is a good place to begin one’s exploration into the world of the subtle body. It is through learning about the 107 points, their locations, and benefits that one can open the channels to access the 108th marma point, the mind. This course explains how useful marma points are in both the diagnosis and the treatment of illnesses.