Marmas and Chakras

Marmas are vital points similar to acupressure points. Manipulated correctly they revitalise the entire body. Though marmas are innumerable, there are 107 major ones located at the junctions where flesh, veins, arteries, tendons, bones and joints meet as well as being the secondary seats of subtle energy (Prana or Qi).  It is at these areas that pain and weaknesses tend to congregate.
           
Marmas are also the points where the elemental life forces of ether, air, fire, water and earth converge and therefore where the body’s organising intelligence is most concentrated. The seven great marmas are the same as the main chakras. These seven chakras are whirling vortexes of energy located over the main endocrine glands - the gonads and ovaries, pancreas, adrenals, thymus, thyroid, pituitary and pineal. Each chakra nourishes particular organs and controls various psycho-physiological aspects of our being. When they are blocked, physical disease ensues. Ayurvedic massage opens and cleanses these energy channels so the current can flow freely and our latent vitality is released.
 
Therapists as Sculptors

Most Ayurvedic body therapies begin with a preliminary massage and may then proceed to a more specialised technique. The massage strokes vary from deep to superficial and follow the flow of energy channels, nerve pathways and hair growth. There are three types of movements - active (strong pressure), passive (delicate stroking) and persuasive (pinching or kneading the small muscles with the thumb and forefinger).

Before the massage, the therapist focuses their energy with a brief balancing meditation and may recite a prayer to magnify the healing potency. Like a hypnotic dance the therapist synchronises their breathing with the receiver in order to maintain a deep interconnection. Like a sculptor flowing with the body’s mould they create a very relaxing yet enlivening mood. The entire body (except the genital region) is tended to in order to bring about a sense of whole body integration and alignment.
 
The session sometimes ends with a body scrub using bean or grain flours known as ubtans. These facilitate exfoliation, reduce cellulite, promote oil removal and stimulate circulation as well as producing a glowing complexion. A steam bath may also be given to further warm the body and enhance the oil absorption.
 
Supportive input to the senses is emphasised during therapies as they are the gateways to our biological and mental processes. The sense of touch is already being employed but how can the sense of smell, sight and hearing be recruited into the healing process?

Smell the roses

Upon waking, the ladies of India’s palaces bathed in a pool filled with the petals of 1,000 roses, their bodies and hair were then cleansed and beautified with herbal oils of jasmine, sandalwood and henna. The blend of essential oils created an air of sensual delight that would intoxicate anyone entering the palace grounds.
 
Ayurvedic aromatherapy coaxes our 10 million sense-detecting cells into an effortless state of harmony. Smell is the only sense with a direct link to the limbic or emotional centre of the brain.
 
This gives aromas the power to evoke vivid impressions, conjure up memories, boost our immune system, trigger emotions and drive the stress response. Smells are also used to literally ‘clear the air’ of negative influences or energies. How do you choose the right aroma? Everyone has a particular neuro-association linked to certain scents - to one person rose essential oil conjures up happy feelings of their childhood garden, another may be repulsed by its association with a tragic funeral service. It is of utmost importance that the smell induces a positive state in the inhaler.
 
The essential oil should also counteract one’s elemental imbalances. For example a hot, angry, restless person with skin inflammation would experience aggravation from cinnamon essential oil in a mustard seed oil base. Yet this combination would be great for a cold, plump, lethargic person suffering from bronchitis. The former ‘hot’ person would experience relief from jasmine or sandalwood essential oil in a coconut oil base whereas the bronchitis sufferer could feel worse from this. As with most Ayurvedic therapies the valuable information is the person’s current elemental balance - Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Therefore, the customised nature of Ayurvedic therapy especially designed for you as an individual is incredibly important in providing effective treatment.