Being in harmony with the seasons change
Externally as the weather takes its turn and we move into the next season a change happens within us. It’s a time when immunity may be compromised as well as our moods set swinging with the cold winds settling in and sunlight diminishing.
With Ayurveda and Marma therapy, we can prepare physically and mentally – with an intention to create inner stability, while maintaining good space within to flow as the seasons change. Times of change, even seasonally, call us to be adaptable.
Watch our Video Practice – Learning how to stimulate these points for a powerful 3 minute practice – Or read on for more information…
With this in mind, it’s a blessing to have some immune boosting and preventative healing techniques to hand. Ayurveda – India’s holistic medical system – focuses on prevention and boosts our mental and emotional well-being as well as our physical health.
In this blog, I will share the wisdom of Marma therapy – essentially Ayurvedic Acupressure which is an overlooked part of ayurveda – so we will get hands-on. Marma therapy works physically with the different systems of the body in order to bolster our health, but at the same time it’s deeper magic works with the energetic systems to remove blockages and elevate our prana or lifeforce energy.
The word marma means vulnerable or sensitive zones; they are vital points of the body that can be used specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and to help promote health and longevity. The science of Marma is called Marma Vidhya whereas Marma therapy or Marma Chikitsa is the important method of ayurvedic treatment for the entire spectrum of health complaints major and minor.
There are 107 classical Marma points in the body (as well as other minor points often not listed). Located in anatomical sites that relate to where nerves, veins, muscles, bones, and joints meet.
Marmas also relate to the three doshas (our body type in ayurveda) – in the head (kapha), heart (pitta) and bladder (vata); and can be treated to balance the quality of these three main forces. Marmas also mark the junction of the body-mind which is why we feel pain when they are touched.
The organic function and structural condition of the body can be manipulated through Marma treatment to balance all bodily systems and organs, reduce pain, clear toxins, relieve suffering and heal a wide spectrum of physical and mental imbalances.
Marma points resemble acupuncture points of Traditional Chinese Medicine but extend to larger areas of the body. They function to regulate and control the flow of vital energy within. In terms of pranic healing, Marmas are said to act like energetic switches to turn prana up, down, on or off.
Ayurveda views the body as composed of innumerable channels, like irrigation canals, which supply nutrients and remove waste. These channels are called the Srotas, marma points regulate the movement of energy through these channels.
Marmas being sensitive areas should be approached with awareness and care, primarily we massage with our thumb which projects the main pranic power of the hand, whereas knuckle, fist, heel and foot can be used in some instances such as covering the lower body. Treatment style and duration can vary.
3 marma regions for Immunity, Resilience and Stress Relief.
Parsva sandhi Marma – Meaning the side of the waist.
This acupressure point helps nourish the kidneys and adrenals and bolsters immunity. When adrenalin levels are continuously high it can lead to general nervousness, exhaustion and burn out in the long term – Parsva sandhi serves to balance adrenal secretion and so calm the nerves.
Its stimulation is said to increases Ojas which is the essence of all bodily tissues, responsible for resistance to disease and provides foundations for happiness and peace of mind.
Located 4 finger distance either side of the spine at the the top of the waist, (lateral superior border of the quadratus lumborum). Standing like Superman or Wonder Woman with hands on the top of the waist fingers to the front but thumbs pressing into the side of the lumbar muscles below the lower ribs. Press the lumbar tissues with the thumbs 18 times, 3 second each time then release, being gentle but firm. (please refer to video).
Krikatika Marma – Meaning the joint of the neck.
This is an important Marma of the head and is specifically useful in neck pain and headache. You might notice as the cold weather sets we brace ourselves by tensing the neck and shoulders almost retreating like a turtle into its shell – this affects circulation and creates tension in the soft tissues.
Stimulating this Marma point improves the circulation towards the brain and can also improve the posture as it strengthens the flow of Udana Vayu referring to the upward movement of air or energy leading to an elevation in mood making you feel more uplifted or cheerful. Since this Marma nourishes the brain, it also helps reduce sadness and even restlessness (often the windy Autumn months get under the skin making us feel restless in mind or body).
Interlace the fingers behind the base of the skull, using soft portion of the thumb (thenar eminence) placed into the suboccipital groove – the space just below the skull, performing a gentle squeeze of the base of the skull bringing the palms towards one another, squeeze and release 18 times.
Adhipati – Meaning the lord of all.
This key point on the top of the skull that increases pranic balance throughout the body as whole, relieves anxiety, worry, grief and calms and controls the mind and emotions. It’s also a great point to stimulate before meditation to deepen awareness.
Place the base of your palm at the bridge of the nose, middle finger in line with the midline of the forehead, where the tip of the middle finger lands is the site, (near the anterior fontanelle coronal/sagittal suture, though individual results may vary!) using your middle finger to press 18 times, 3 seconds each time and release.
You can perform this sequence 3 times a day. Once you have performed all 3 marma stimulations, stake time to it – tune into subtleties. Marma therapy is an opportunity to anchor your awareness in the present moment and come home to yourself. It’s a great way to create inner stability and feel grounded as the seasons change.
Note – Marmas are measured in the form of anguli which is one finger unit width. The size varies from person to person; smaller marma are called points – many being half a finger unit in size; larger marma are referred to as regions or zones and can be up to 4 anguli (4 finger width) such as Hridaya (heart marma).
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