Marma points - the spiritual link

Indian head massage is based on the assumption that human body has energetic centers called marma. Ayurveda identifies 107 vital energy points distributed on the entire body surface. They are sensitive points, serving as gates between physical and spiritual levels.

Marmas are similar to the Chinese pressopuncture points. Chinese acupuncture points though, are unrelated to any anatomical feature; in contrast, marmas are placed on key spots on our body. Such places can be junctions of blood vessels, tendons, muscles, bones and ligaments. These junction points, conform to Ayurvedic principles, are also spots where the three vital elements, Vata, Pitta and Kapha meet.

By manipulating marmas we can manipulate body, mind and spirit.

In other words we can manipulate our energetic body through these physical points. We could extrapolate and say no matter what kind of massage we perform it will activate marmas. Of course there is a quality difference between massage focused on marma and a regular massage. With any of the regular massage techniques you will obtain marma activation only as a secondary benefit.

Marmas can be activated not only by massage or touch; they can be activated by manipulating the aura, (the energetic body that surrounds the physical one). In normal circumstances, (healthy state), they are very responsive to external stimulus of any kind. For example you could point your finger to a marma or your palm and you will activate it. This is the basis of the healing touch technique.

Simple techniques to activate marma

Lean on your chair while you watch TV or read your emails at work. Interlace your fingers and place them on top of your head, centered on the junction of coronal and sagittal sutures, (the frontal fontanel), this is the Adhipati marma. Leave your arms to hang freely, they will be held by your finger knuckles.
Do the same exercise putting your hand on top of your head where your hair forms a swirl.

Another simple technique is to place your hands on your front neck. Place your palms on you front neck pointing your fingers towards the back neck. You activate Nila and Manya marmas; this stimulates your liver and digestive system and boosts your immunity.

Perform very light effleurage, (nerve-stroke), on the front of the head. Start with three fingers, (thumb, index and middle finger), held together between your eyebrows. As you start the effleurage, the thumb goes in one direction and the index and middle finger go in the other direction. When you finish the motion, rest your palm in that position for a couple of seconds or more. This is also a good exercise for concentration.

Breathing is a gate to heaven

Breathing is a reflex process that doesn’t require any conscious effort. We don’t need to think about it when we do it. Energy breathing is different, it is an ability that we need to learn and train. Once practiced long enough it might become a conditioned reflex and you would do it without thinking, as you do with the normal breathing.

What is energy breathing? It is not too much different from the usual respiration. It’s mostly a quality change. When you breathe energy, you fill your lungs with air, and at the same time, you fill your Nadis, (energy channels), with Prana.

The energy breathing is more of a mental exercise than actual breathing. We actually use the inspiration and expiration, only as a mental support to facilitate the actual process of absorbing Prana. When you are breathing energy you have to choose a Chakra or a marma for your exercise. For example you can choose the chakra between your eyebrows. Visualize that you inspire through that point. Inhale slightly longer than you do in your usual breathing process. Make a short pause before exhaling and then expire, imagining you are pushing the air through the same spot. The sensation is like you are breathing a more dense air, and this air fills up your body. Don’t despair if you don’t feel it at first. It takes time to get it right. Sometimes you need someone to guide you.