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Indu Arora
What is Marma?
Marma points are positions on the body where flesh, veins, arteries, tendon, bones and
joints meet. They may also be described as the junctions where Vayu, Pitta and Kapha
meet; where Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas meet; or where eternity and relativity meet. These
are the points that could be used to heal or harm. While a healer uses these points to heal,
for a warrior the very same spots could be used to harm. The word 'marma' was used for
the first time in Atharva Veda (ancient Indian scripture). During the Vedic period of
India, this martial art was known to kings and warriors and was used in battlefields. It is
said that marmas are constituted of six vital elements—soma (sleshma, phlegm),
marutha (vata, air), teja (pitta, bile) and the three mental types: rajas, tamas and satva.
Marma adi is the science of manipulating marmas or vital points. These are nerve
junctures usually close to the skin surface. According to Susruta, author of Susruta
Samhita, the ancient treatise on ayurveda, human body contains 107 marma points
which, when struck or massaged, produce desired healing or injurious results.
Marma Meditation is a process and a therapy that works with 18 subtle and sensitive
energy points to open energy channels in the body called strotras.
ROLE OF MARMA
There are four basic purposes of marma:
1) It removes blocks in energy channels called strotras.
2) It pacifies vata dosha, (air and space elements ), bringing it to its normal path—
especially vyana vata, (a sub-dosha which controls the autonomic nervous system.)
3) It creates physical, mental and emotional flexibility. Because of ama (toxins) and
because of vata, human beings after 35 or 40 years of age become rigid — and this
happens to animals and plants too. As vata increases in our body, we experience
degeneration. This rigidity can mean becoming fixed in ideas, emotions and
physical movements.
4) This gentle treatment creates an opportunity to experience powerful and dynamic
transformation at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels by building a
positive link with the unconscious mind. Many times people are not able to go
outside their ‘comfort zones.’ They think they have absolute limitations.
5) The main aspect of Yoga practice that actively considers the use of marmas is the
practice of Pratyahara, which is the fifth branch of Yoga. Pratyahara mediates
between the outer factors of Yoga, which include Asana and Pranayama, and the
inner factors of Yoga, which mainly consist of meditation. Pratyahara is the door
www.yogsadhna.com 630 219 0054 drinduarora@yogsadhna.com
The information in this document is gathered from many sources, teachers, and my
personal experience.
18 Point Marma- Mantra Meditation~ Dr. Indu Arora
Each marma point has various organs, systems, senses, nadis and chakras that it rules
over. Through working on that particular marma, we can control or affect these factors in
various therapeutic manners. The great yogic text, Vasishta Samhita, contains an
important section explaining the use of specific marmas for the practice of Pratyahara.
3. Manipur Chakra / Navel/ Solar Plexus: This is the mental or intellectual layer
with Bija Mantra RUM with the energy of Fire Element. Be aware of the transition as you move
to the third chakra, at the navel center, which is also actually along the sushumna channel. Allow
the mantra Ram to arise and repeat itself, at its natural speed. Keep attention in the space,
whatever size at which it is experienced. Be aware of the element of fire, and the many ways in
which it operates throughout the gross and subtle body from this center.
4. Anahata Chakra/Heart/ Cardiac Plexus: This is the astral layer with Bija
Mantra YUM with the energy of Air Element. Observe the transition as you move your
attention to the fourth chakra, the space between the breasts. Allow attention to become
well seated there, and then remember the vibration of the mantra Yam, allowing it to
repeat at its own speed, while being mindful of the feeling it generates. Be aware of the
element of air, and notice how that feels with the mantra. Notice how the element of air
relates to the karmendriya of holding or grasping, whether physically, energetically,
mentally, or emotionally.
5. Vishuddha Chakra/ Throat or Pharyngeal Plexus: This is the etheric layer
with Bija Mantra HUM with the energy of Ether Element. Bring your attention to the space
at the throat, the fifth chakra, which is the point of emergence of space (which allows air,
fire, water, and earth to then emerge). In that space, be aware of the nature of space itself,
allowing the mantra Ham to arise and repeat itself, reverberating many times through the
www.yogsadhna.com 630 219 0054 drinduarora@yogsadhna.com
The information in this document is gathered from many sources, teachers, and my
personal experience.
18 Point Marma- Mantra Meditation~ Dr. Indu Arora
As per Vasishta Samhita One should practice concentration by drawing one’s Prana by
the power of attention from each of these marma regions. To do this practice the
following method carefully, using inhalation and exhalation at each marma region, much
like flexing and relaxing of the muscles.
1. Direct your attention to your toes. On inhalation, gather your energy there. On
exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed and relaxed.
2. Move your attention to your ankles. On inhalation, gather your energy there. On
exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed and relaxed.
3. Move your attention to the middle of your calves. On inhalation, gather your
energy there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized,
healed and relaxed.
4. Move your attention to the base of your knees. On inhalation, gather your energy
there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed
and relaxed.
5. Move your attention to the middle of your knees. On inhalation, gather your
energy there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized,
healed and relaxed.
6. Move your energy to the middle of your thighs. On inhalation, gather your energy
there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed
and relaxed.
7. Move your energy to the root of your anus. On inhalation, gather your energy
there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed
and relaxed.
8. Move your energy to the middle of your hips. On inhalation, gather your energy
there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed
and relaxed.
9. Move your energy to the root of your urethra. On inhalation, gather your energy
there. On exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed
and relaxed.
10. Move your energy to your navel. On inhalation, gather your energy there. On
exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed and relaxed.
11. Move your energy to your heart. On inhalation, gather your energy there. On
exhalation, release it. Feel this region of your body energized, healed and relaxed.
In this practice one concentrates both mind and Prana in each of these regions starting
with the feet. Gather your attention from one marma region to another like climbing a
series of steps from the bottom of the body to the top of the body. Finally, you can hold
your awareness at the top of the head in the space of the Supreme Self beyond birth and
death and all suffering. However, you can also direct your breath and attention to any of
these marma sites to heal that area or for specific therapeutic purposes.