Marma Therapy and Yogic Practices

Yoga and Marma / By

Man is the best creature of God. The human body is made up of the five basic elements and soul. In spite of this quality the human body is the subject of all activities (Dharma artha kama and moksha). In Charaka Samhita this sada dhatu purusa is known as cikitsya purusa.

The human body is constituted by different systems: all these systems work together regularly without any hindrance. The human body is made up of seven basic dhatus i.e. rasa, rakta, mansa, meda, asthi, majja and sukra. A number of changes occur in the human

body during the whole life span, the homeostasis of doshas is known as health; imbalance in the doshic state may lead to the disease:shariram vyadhi mandira means the body is the seat of diseases.

The aim of Ayurveda is to preserve the health of a healthy individual and to cure the diseases of a diseased person. There is a major role of marma therapy and yoga along with Ayurveda to fulfill the above-mentioned goal. The whole world is requiring marma therapy and yoga as a weapon to combat the diseases of modern life. Marma therapy and yoga is practiced by many people for achieving the healthy state of life. A number of incurable diseases are treated with marma therapy and yogic practices.

In the present era we suffer from a number of ailments. The main cause of such sufferings is stress generated by competitiveness, changing lifestyle and behavior. As a result the human being suffers from physical and mental illness. Adhyatmic, adhibhautik, and adhidaivik are three types of sufferings; these sufferings can be treated with mantras, marma therapy and yoga and Ayurveda collectively.

Under the present circumstances many people have come to realize the importance of marma therapy and yoga as practical methods of improving the states of bodily health and the quality of life. Marma therapy and yoga is used for achieving the equilibrium, harmony, and balance in day-to-day life. Various means of yoga may be grouped under asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, bandhas, mudras and dhyana.

Directly and indirectly all yogic practices affect the marmas. In the rest of this chapter, and the next we are elaborating with examples.

According to Charaka Samhita persons living near to nature remained away from diseases. Changing lifestyle and food habits are responsible for the manifestation of different physical and mental ailments. For achieving positive health it is necessary to lead life according to the natural laws. Early rising and proper sleep is necessary for good health. Consumption of natural food and plenty of water makes a difference. The body is a replica of the universe, changes in the universe affects the body. In this reference it is important to know that the change in the time (age, diurnal variation and season), place may affect the human body. Simultaneously the body activities, mental work up, feelings and speech affect the body itself.

Marma therapy and yoga are important to cure the disease and enhance the health status of the body. Nowadays asanas are much popularized in the society for health promotion. It improves the health and tones up the body musculature. These practices affect the body physiology. In the higher stages of yoga the practice of asana, mudra, pranayama, bandha are supportive to higher spiritual activities. Marma therapy and yogic postures, as well as marma stimulation inherent in them, have great impact on nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine glands, respiratory system and organs of abdomen, heart and circulatory system. These marma practices and yogic exercises are developed by ancient rishis by observing Nature.

Effect of self- marma therapy and yogic practices on digestive system: –

Digestive power of the body improves by regular self-marma therapy and yogic practices. The essential substances are supplied to the body regularly by absorbing these substances through absorption of the food material by the intestine. Metabolism of food takes place

in the liver. Excessive available nutrients are deposited in different parts of the body. During necessity the body itself utilizes these nutrients.

The following effects are seen on the digestive system by marma therapy and yogic practices:

  1. It maintains the digestive power healthier by stimulating all organs of Gastro Intestine Tract.
  2. It improves the digestive function of the body.
  3. Increases the appetite by proper digestion of food.
  4. Improves the function of intestine, so the intestine takes out the harmful substances properly.
  5. Improves the peristaltic movement of Gastro Intestine Tract and relieves constipation, loss of appetite and hyperacidity.
  6. By proper digestion of food the body gets proper nutrients and it also improves the working capacity of the body.

Important organs of the digestive system

  1. Tongue
  2. Salivary glands
  3. Oesophagus
  4. Stomach
  5. Duodenum
  6. Small Intestine
  7. Appendix
  8. Large Intestine
  9. Rectum
  10. Liver
  11. Pancreas

Main Diseases of the Digestive System: –

  1. Hyperacidity
  2. Gastric ulcer
  3. Gastritis
  4. Stomach Cancer
  5. Duodenal ulcer
  6. Enteritis
  7. Colitis
  8. Appendicitis
  9. Ulcerative colitis
  10. Jaundice
  11. Pancreatitis
  12. Cholecystitis
  13. Cholelithiasis
  14. Constipation

Useful in digestive system diseases: –

  1. Asana: – Vajrasana, supta vajrasana, ardhamatsyendrasana, paschimottana -sana. mayurasana, pavanmuktasana. katichakrasana, sarpasana. dhanurasana, sarvangasana, trikonasana, akarnadhanurasana, surya-namaskara.
  2. Pranayama: – Nadi Shodhana, bhastrika.
  3. Bandha: – Moola bandha, uddiyana bandha, etc.
  4. Mudra: – Ashwini mudra, tadagi mudra, maha mudra etc
  5. Kriya:- Kunjala, vasti, sankhaprakshalana, Nauli, vastradhauti, agnisara etc.
  6. Dhyana
  7. Marma therapy:- Guda, nabhi, kurpara and indravasti.

Contra-indication of yogic practices in different digestive disorders: –

  1. In the following condition yogic practices specially sadakriyas should not be practised.
  2. In acute and infective stage of any diseases i.e. acute appendicitis, gastric ulcer, ulcerative colitis, cholecystitis, jaundice etc.
  3. Any condition when blood is coming out from mouth or anus.
  4. In acute phase of any disease sadakriya may produce many complications.

Limited use of other harmless yogic postures, pranayana, mudra and dhyana should be done with other curative procedures.

But there is no contra-indication of marma therapy in the abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform marma therapy at any stage of disease.

Effect of self-marma therapy and yogic practices on blood circulatory system-

During yogic practices heart and circulatory system play an important role. It is a well known fact that any work is not possible without energy. Oxygen and nutrients are generated in the muscles during yogic practices. So at the time of yogic practices the heart rate and arterial blood circulation also increases. By this process blood pressure also increases. Due to increased blood circulation the lungsalso work rapidly Body temperature increases due to different biochemical reactions in the muscles. Increased body temperature due to exercise is maintainted by sweat glands; they produce more sweat. Many excretory substances are also excreted through the sweat. Following effects take place on the circulatory system, during yogic practices

1. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may produce some changes in the body. The working capacity of the heart improves by regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices. The heart pumps good amount of pure blood into the circulation so the oxygen and other nutrients are readily available for better physiological activities of the body.

2. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may lead to bradycardia. It provides better effect on the heart and the circulatory system. It improves the working capacity of the heart. During hard work the circulatory system gives better performance.

3. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may lead to a number of biochemical changes in the blood. It increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Excretory metabolites and substances are taken away rapidly. So the concentration of excretory metabolites remains in lower level. Blood cholesterol decreases and the chances of heart attack are few in this condition.

4. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may prevent the heart diseases. Patients of heart diseases may prefer high yogic practices like Kundalini jagaran and achieving Samadhi. By these practices the heart becomes healthier and strong.

5. By regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices the blood cells count increases. So the blood carrying capacity, diseaseresistant capacity and immunity improves.

The general body build and outlook become healthy. There is marked improvement in body resistance power.

Important organs of blood circulatory (cardio vascular) system: –

  1. Arteries
  2. Veins
  3. Heart

Important diseases of blood circulatory (cardio vascular) system:-

  1. Hypertension
  2. Congenital heart diseases
  3. Cardiac vascular diseases
  4. Coronary artery diseases
  5. Pericarditis

Useful in blood circulatory (cardio vascular) diseases: –

  1. Asana:- Sheershasana, sarvangasana, shavasana, naukasana, halasana, karnapidasana etc.
  2. Pranayama:- Bhastrika pranayama, nadi shodhana pranayama, anuloma-viloma pranayama, etc.
  3. Mudra:- Tnmani mudra, shambhavi mudra etc.
  4. Bandha:- Uddiyana bandha, mula bandha etc.
  5. Satakriya:- Agnisara, vastra dhauti, kunjala etc.
  6. Dhyana
  7. Marma therapy:- Talahridaya, nabhi, hridaya.

Contra-indication of yogic practices in different blood circutatory/ cardio-vascular diseases:-

  1. In the following conditions yogic practices should not be done
  2. Congenital heart diseases.
  3. Cardiac failure
  4. Acute pericarditis
  5. Infective diseases of heart and blood vessels.

But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.

Effect of self- marma therapy and yogic practices on respiratory system:

Every physical activity needs energy. Oxygen is necessary for the energy generation from the food material. Any exercise or hard work needs more oxygen, and for better oxygenation lung functions get affected. During yogic practices the respiration rate gets increased. In the lung, exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place at the cellular level in a better way. Oxygen absorption increases and removal of carbon dioxide becomes more pronounced. During this exchange energy is generated so the body temperature and respiratory rate may be raised.

Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices may affect the body and mind. The following effects are noted on the respiratory system during yogic practices.

1. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices enhances the working capacity of the respiratory system especially the lungs and bronchial tree. Initially there is marked increase in the respiration rate during exercise but in the long run the respiratory rate does not get much affected even after vigorous yogic practice.

2. By regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices lung capacity increases. Vital capacity and tidal volume gets positive response.

3. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices improve the function of the muscles supporting the respiration.

4. Due to regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices especially pranayama oxygen consumption gets lower, so the respiration rate gets more slowed down. One can perform all vigorous activities without increasing the respiratory rate.

Important organs of respiratory system: –

  1. Nose
  2. Trachea
  3. Lungs
  4. Thoracic muscles
  5. Diaphragm

Important diseases of respiratory system: –

  1. Rhinitis
  2. Cough
  3. Bronchitis
  4. Pneumonitis
  5. Tuberculosis
  6. Bronchial Asthma

Useful in diseases of respiratory system:-

  1. Asana: – Yoga mudra, singhasana, akarna dhanurasana, shavasana, paschimottanasana, pavanmuktasana, naukasana, sarvangasana, halasana, karnapidasana etc.
  2. Pranayama: – Nadi shodhan pranayam, bhastrika pranayama, suryabhedan pranayana etc.
  3. Satakriya: – Jalaneti, sutra-neti, kapala-bhati, kunjal-kriya,vastra-dhauti, nauli etc.
  4. Bandha: – Uddiyana bandha, jalandhara bandha etc.
  5. Mudra: – Viparita karani, mahamudra.
  6. Dhyana
  7. Marma therapy: – Marma of head and neck and thorax.

Contra-indication of yogic practices in different respiratory diseases:-

In following diseases yogic practice should not be done

  1. Acute infective diseases of respiratory system.
  2. Acute pneumonitis.
  3. Haemoptysis.
  4. Tuberculosis and complications.
  5. Epistaxis.
  6. Acute Rhinitis & Sinusitis.

But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform marma therapy at any stage of disease.

Effect of self-marma therapy and yogic practices on excretory system:-

Skin, kidneys and large intestine are the main excretory organs of the human body. Regular self- marma therapy and yogic practices give positive impact on these organs. Self- marma therapy and yogic practices affect these organs in the following ways

1. During exercise the heart rate and pulmonary function improve. They work more efficiently. Consumption of oxygen increases and more carbon dioxide gets excreted. This removes a number of body ailments.

2. Sweat glands in the skin produces more sweat and due to excessive perspiration more metabolites are excreted throughthe sweat glands. It keeps the blood pure.

3. During self- marma therapy and yogic practices due to increased blood circulation in the brain, heart, kidneys and liver, the working capacity of these organs increases. The body

becomes healthier. The kidneys play an important role in urine formation and excretion of metabolites through urine. Kidneys are the main blood filters. The liver plays an important role in the digestion of foot. Bile formation takes place in the liver. From the liver bile comes into the gall bladder, shrinks, and the whole bile comes into the duodenum. Bile is important

for the digestion of fat in many ways. But it contains many other metabolites, pigments, salts and excretory substances that also reach in the intestine and is evacuated through the facial material and urine.

4. By regular self-marma therapy and yogic practices the working capacity of the organs of digestive system improves. Smooth muscles of gastro intestinal tract become stronger

and digestion power improves. Excretion of excretory substances takes place in a better way. Yogic practices play an important role to improve the functioning of all excretory organs.

Important organs of urine excretory system: –

  1. Kidneys
  2. Ureters
  3. Urinary bladder
  4. Urethra

Important diseases of urine excretory system: –

  1. Nephritis
  2. Ureteritis
  3. Cystitis
  4. Urolithiasis
  5. Haematuria
  6. Oilgouria and anuria
  7. Prostatic enlargement

Useful yogic practices in urine excretory system: –

  1. Asana: – Ardhamatsyendrasana, matsyendrasana, ustrasana, trikonasana, paschimottanasana, naukasana, pavanmuktasana, supta-katichakrasana, kati chakrasana, bhuganagasana, mayurasana, dhanurasana, halasana, bhunamanasana, hastapadangysthasana, surya namaskara etc.
  2. Pranayama: – Nadishodhana pranayana, bhastrika pranayana etc.
  3. Bandha: – Mula bandha, uddiyana
  4. Mudra: – Ashwinimudra, tagadimudra, mahamudra, bajrali mudra etc.
  5. Kriya: – Vasti, nauli, sankha prakshalana, agnisarakriya, kunjala etc.
  6. Dhyana
  7. Marma therapy: – Parsvasandhi, guda, vasti, nabhi and marmas of lower extremity.

Contra-indication of yogic practices in different diseases of urine excretory system: –

In the following urine excretory system diseases yogic practices should not be done.

  1. Acute uraemia/ azotemia
  2. Urolithiasis
  3. Hematuria
  4. Acute urinary tract infection
  5. Malignant growth of urinary system.

But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.

Effect of marma therapy and yogic practices on endocrine and exocrine glands: –

There are two types of glands

  1. Endocrine gland
  2. Exocrine gland

Those glands are endocrine which are ductless. Secretion of these glands directly enters into the blood circulation.

Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid thymus and adrenals are the main endocrine glands. Pancreas, ovary and testicle are combined glands. Some of these secretes enzymes, ova and sperms are transported into intestine, uterus and urethra. Salivary glands, sweat glands and glands situated in the stomach and intestine secrete their secretions.

In reference to sweat glands, any exercise increases the excessive sweating. Yogic practices increase the blood circulation of the glands. Due to increased blood circulation, the function of these glands improves. So the body immunity and secretion of these glands affect

the function of many organs.

By regular yogic practices the function of these glands can be affected. In the healthy individual yogic practices may activate the function of these glands. Health promotion is possible by activating the endocrine and exocrine glands.

I- Regular yogic practices and marma therapy improve the function of glands.

II- Glands secrete good amount of hormone.

III- The quality and composition of hormones becomes more balanced.

IV It improves the body immunity and decaying/ageing process can be delayed.

Important Glands are-

  1. Pituitary gland
  2. Thyroid gland
  3. Parathyroid gland
  4. Thymus gland
  5. Pancreas gland
  6. Adrenal glands

Important diseases of endocrine glands:

  1. Thyroid swelling
  2. Diabetes
  3. Infertility
  4. Congenital brain and anatomical deformities.

Useful yogic practices in different endocrine gland diseases: –

  1. Asana: – Siddhasana, matsyendrasana, yoga mudra, mayurasana, shirshasana, paschimottanasana, pavan muktasana, suptakatichakrasana, trikonasana etc.
  2. Pranayama: – Nadi shodhana, bhastrika, bhramari, surya bhedi, dhaauani yukta pranava uchcharana(Japa) etc.
  3. Bandha: – Mula bandha, uddiyana bandha, jalandhara bandha, etc.
  4. Mudra: – Khechari mudra, shambhavi mudra, ashwini mudra etc.
  5. Kriya: – Jalaneti, sutra neti, kunjala, vasti, trataka etc.
  6. Dhyana
  7. Marma therapy: – Marmas of neck and head, and marmas related to particular endocrine gland.

Contra-indication of yogic practices in different diseases of endocrine system: –

In the following endocrine system diseases yogic practices should not be done.

  1. Acute haemorrhagic conditions of endocrine system.
  2. Traumatic lesions of endocrine system.
  3. Acute endocrine infection.
  4. Malignant growth of endocrine system.

But there is no any contra-indication of marma therapy in abovementioned conditions. In these conditions marma therapy does not hurt the site of lesion. It gives positive effect on the affected site. One can perform the marma therapy at any stage of disease.