Let’s Bring Some Love & Awareness to Our Marmani

Marma points (Marmani) have been used in India as a form of healing for thousands of years. While marma therapy was adopted by Ayurveda, its origins stem from the Dhanurveda, an ancient Vedic text on the science of archery. Marma (Secret) points are considered points of vulnerability on the body, but they are also points that hold great potential for healing and communication between cells. In Vedic science, these points hold concentrated life force (prana) and are filled with cosmic intelligence. There are many marma therapies that should only be completed by or under the guidance of a professional practitioner, but there are simple and safe ways that we can work with marmani at home, especially as a preventative practice to nurture our health. There are 117 major marmani mentioned in Aryuvedic texts. The Illustration below depicts two of these very special points.

Kapāla & Ājñā Marmani

In the illustration above, Kapāla marma point is shown toward the top of the head and Ājñā (also called Sthapani marma) is shown toward the center just above the eyes. Both are wonderful points to help with mental and emotional stress and insomnia. These points can be gently massaged in a circular motion with the tips of your fingers, or they can be gently pressed. The stimulation time can be up to a few minutes but even a few breaths (8 to 10) of gentle pressing or massaging can be beneficial. You can do what feels comfortable.

You can also simply bring awareness to marmani through gentle touch, meditative concentration and through visualization of color at that point, such as calming blue, green or violet. A point of light can also be used. Ājñā is also stimulated through Bālāsana (Child Pose) depicted in the illustration above. Bringing your awareness to Ājñā in this yoga asana can be very relaxing and calming.

Remember to take care and give yourself a moment of calm and comfort when you need it. Let yourself be still and in awe of the wonder of life.