“Marma Chikitsa (therapy), Ayurvedic Acupressure, is the precise art of touching an individual in exactly the right place at a critical moment in time, for the purpose of healing. Marmani serve as points of access to the body’s innate intelligence, opening the doorway to health and well-being. They are vehicles to reach the ultimate goal of Ayurveda: perfect health, firmly rooted in a vibrantly alive body and fully awakened mind”.

Marma is a Sanskrit word which means mortal or vulnerable point, suggesting access to areas that may be tender, weak, or sensitive.
(Pg. 25 of : Marma Points of Ayurveda by Vasant Lad & Anisha Durve)

Blocked marma points can lead to pain and other types of dis-ease in the body. Gentle stimulation of these points induces relaxation, reduces stress, promotes calm, and decreases tension. It can also reduce pain by releasing blockages in energy channels (nadis), thereby stimulating the body’s own healing mechanisms. (https://m.netmeds.com, Jan 2024).

This class focuses on how yoga poses(Asana), finger pressure, and the breath can stimulate specific Marmani and is therefore a form of self-managed Marma therapy.

– Marma yoga will consider poses for Vata, Pitta, & Kapha
– and will enhance awareness and balance of Prana (life force), Ojas (vigor), and Tejas (illumination/Enlightenment).

Yoga address marma points through:
1. Stretching the connective tissue where the marmani lie.
2. Applying direct pressure on marmani by the ground, other body parts, or fingers.
3. Increasing the flow of prana to certain marmani via the prana nadis.
4. Stimulating the marmani with essential oils.