Greetings beautiful souls of love and light!
Wishing you abundant blessings of love, peace, perfect health and joy!
I am in LOVE with the symbiotic nature of teaching! That is, the more I teach, the more I learn, evolve and my students questions fuel my desire to research, go deeper and share much more. In turn, there is a symbiotic process of learning and evolving spiritually from eachother. Recently I had a facinating discussion about Marma points with a student completing her Ayurveda Massage course. There is an exploration and releasing of granthis or energetic knots happening while utilizing the marma points in Ayurveda Massage. I would love to share some major points below. Haha, marma points;)
The wonderful world of Marma Points!
There are 107 points and 7 are considered the most important. Each point is associated to each chakra distributed in the arms and legs, back, torso, stomach, neck, head and face. Each marma point is connected to various tissue such as muscles, veins and tendons. These are the points where vital energy or “prana” can be activated. Marma therapy is used extensively throughout Ayurveda, and is considered important in self-healing practices.
The ancient healers for ions have been mapping the human body and linking various limbs, organs, immune responses and emotional states to specific energy points. We go much deeper with this in our upcoming YTTC, evening Yin classes and Yoga anatomy classes during our 200 hour Ashtanga and Vinyasa Teacher Trainings in Algarve, Portugal.
In traditional Yin practice these ‘points’ are referred to in Chinese Medicine as Acupuncture points, and in Ayurveda and yogic healing as Marma points. These healing practices focus on releasing this blocked energy, whether through acupuncture or Ayurvedic massage or even Yoga Nidra – such as in L. Farrah Furtado’s meditations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgyfNavokWM
Marma points are also identified as neurolymphatic points, stimulating the removal of lymph and enhancing the efficiency of the body’s vital organs and bringing into balance the whole system of the mind, body and soul.
The focus of marma point-Ayurveda massage is primarily to move subtle energy or prana, but physically it is also very effective for relieving stiff muscles, releasing stress and therefore, strengthening immunity. Another useful way to release tension is to practice daily yoga and spend time in nature such as in this flow by the beach here in Praia da Rocha, Portimao: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEJGhYgqOW8
How to give yourself an Ayurveda marma point massage
One of the best things about knowing where certain marma points are located, is that you can utilise them and use a gentle self-massage technique wherever and whenever you are! Try using essential oils to enhance the soothing experience. For example, if it is time to prepare for bedtime you could use lavendar oil to induce a deeper state of relaxation.
Talahridaya
Known as the point at the ‘heart of the hand’, this marma point is found at the center of the palm.
This point is closely linked to Anahata, the heart chakra , and is thought of as an important point in stimulating circulation throughout the whole body. It is associated to the lungs and respiratory health, and is also a vital marma point to work with regarding communication. Reiki practitioners who use their hands can also massage this point before a treatment to enhance the flow of prana to the palms. Furthermore, rubbing the hands as quickly as possible to create heat will also activate this flow of prana through the hands.
Massage the heart of the hand marma point in a strong, circular motion for three- five minutes. To enhance the experience you can use sesame, almond oil or essential oils such as peppermint for opening blocked sinuses or ‘energising’ the hands.
