By Dr Vinod Nair Karicheri, Integrated Medicine, Wellness Expert and Visiting Master at AyurMa
What is Marma?
Marma points therapy is the practice of gently massaging and stimulating the body’s marma points, which are specific anatomical locations where a concentration of life energy exists, and through which energy flows. Marma points are said to contain the three dosha types that are linked to physical and emotional wellbeing. These dosha types are Vata (air and space), Kapha (earth and water) and Pitta (fire and water).
Benefits of Ayurvedic Marma Therapy
Marma therapy offers numerous benefits, particularly as one becomes older. Thanks to ama (toxins), after 35 or 40 years of age the body becomes more rigid both physically and in terms of ideas and emotions. As vata also increases in the body, degeneration occurs. Marma therapy, however ,creates physical, mental and emotional flexibility. It removes blocks in energy channels (shrotas) and also pacifies the vata (air and space) dosha, in particular bringing the vyana vata (a sub-dosha controlling the autonomic nervous system) back along its normal path.
Marma therapy creates a powerful and dynamic transformation at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level by building a positive link with the unconscious mind. People are often not able to go outside their “comfort zone” and believe they have absolute limitations. But after Marma therapy is done, they can start taking positive risks.
Self-care tips for maintaining a healthy Marma system in the body
Try not to drink too much water before eating and during meals.
Drink plenty of water at regular intervals starting from 30 minutes after a meal.
Try to eat meals at regular times.
Try not to lie down immediately after a meal.
Try to do a counter practice following physical activities. For example, after walking, jogging, biking, or doing any kind of sports, raise your legs above the level of your heart or do some yoga inversion postures (which raise the heart above the head, such as shoulder stand or headstand). This will enhance the benefits on your cardiovascular system.
Practice regular movement-based activities to balance the vata in the body.
About Kalari / Meditative Kalari Yoga
Kalari Yoga demonstration by Dr Vinod Nair Karicheri
The ancient Indian practice of Kalari Payattu is recognised as one of the most powerful ways to improve both physical and mental health.
The origins of yoga and Kalari Payattu stem from Lord Shiva, who shared his knowledge of yoga and Kalari Payattu with spiritual aspirants to strengthen both their mental and physical strengths respectively. Kalari Payattu is a more intense physical practice which focuses on improving endurance, power and strength, without compromising flexibility.
Combining both Kalari Payattu and yoga is extremely beneficial to one’s health.
Benefits of Kalari / Meditative Kalari Yoga
Kalari and meditative Kalari yoga potentially brings enormous benefits. To begin with, balance is significantly improved in practitioners. Studies show that older adults who practice Kalari one to three times a week are 43% less likely to fall, and they cut their risk of injury in half. As well, Kalari when combined with Marma practice offers significant relief from back, neck, arthritic and fibromyalgic pain.
Kalari and meditative Kalari yoga also help reduce age-related cognitive decline and even slow down dementia. Better heart health is a further benefit, especially when combined with a healthy diet, with a reduced risk of developing heart disease, even with risk factors present. Finally, improved mood, lowered anxiety and even reduced depression are all benefits of this practice. With the deep, calming breaths it involves, reduced overall stress is a further outcome.
Visiting Master Dr Vinod Karicheri will be in residence at AyurMa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru from July 5th to 31st, 2023. To view his bio or explore his treatment menu, click here.