If, however, the energy becomes stagnant or its flow is disrupted, health is impaired. When prana flows freely from the nadis into the marma points, there is health. Each marma point corresponds to a specific v ayu (function of prana), dosha (constitutional type), dhatu (bodily tissue), and s rota (physical channel). Ancient healing physicians mapped out the specific locations of marma points as well as their effects upon various parts of the body. Physically, the marma points are found where tendons, bones, muscles, joints, veins, nerves, and other tissues meet.

There are 108 marma points-107 on the physical body and one in the mind. Thus, marma points connect the intangible energetic body to the tangible physical body. The points at which prana exits the nadis and enters the physical body are known as marma points. These rivers of life current quite literally animate and enliven the human body. According to Vedic wisdom, there are 72,000 channels of circulating life force, known as nadis, which flow into the physical body. To understand them, a rudimentary knowledge of Ayurvedic energy anatomy is helpful.

What are these points with the power to heal? Marma points are often referred to as the junction points of consciousness and matter. A marma master, sometimes called an “Aasan” or “Marmani,” had the rare knowledge of how to move or remove prana (life energy) to achieve the desired outcome. The knowledge of Ayurvedic vital energy points was originally used in a dichotomous manner: Kalaripayattu warriors struck specific marma points to kill opponents while Ayurvedic physicians used other marma points to invoke healing. It is based upon an elaborate energetic matrix that is commonly believed to have been the foundation for later point therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, and reflexology. Marma point therapy is an energy healing practice that emerged within the 5000-year-old Ayurvedic system of healing.

108 vital points pdf