Ayurveda, pronounced aye-your-vay-duh, is the sister science of yoga, focused on balancing the mind and body for radiant health...

Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda – The Science of Life
Ayurveda is known to have existed 5000 years ago, and is generally considered by many scholars and historians as the oldest living system of medicine and health care in the world.
As the “science of life”, the focus of Ayurveda has always been on creating a balanced, vibrant state of healthy mind, body and spirit: life lived with vitality, expanded awareness and in harmonious relationship with the environment, the laws of nature and the cosmos, and our fellow beings on our beautiful planet. 

 
 
 
 

Ayurvedic  treatments are tailored to the individual's prakruti or constitution
Ayurveda has much to offer modern medicine, which, despite its remarkable achievements, sometimes lacks this holistic perspective.
This state of total health can be achieved through a vast array of preventative and rejuvenative teachings and practices of Ayurveda: lifestyle and dietary recommendations, herbal tonics, detoxification regimens, exercise methods such as yoga postures, meditation and more.
Whether for prevention, healing or rejuvenation, all of these are individually tailored for maximum benefit, according to a person’s prakruti  or individual constitution.  This is perhaps the greatest contribution of Ayurveda to the field of medicine
Indeed, Ayurveda’s sophisticated analysis and depth of insight regarding an individual’s unique constitution is without parallel in the world of medicine.  Because every individual is different, all diagnosis and treatment are specific to the individual and cannot be standardized.

Is there a difference between Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has also flourished for thousands of years. Remarkably many of the principles within the two traditions are strikingly common.  Both these ancient Eastern healing traditions are rooted in the understanding that we are connected to the cosmos and that our health or illness is inherently related to living in harmony with nature.  Both systems view the individual as an energetic entity who functions through the harmonious interaction of body, mind and spirit.
In this paradigm, the more concrete layers of the body are suffused by a subtler life energy, known in Ayurveda as prana and in TCM as qi or chi.  The body is seen less as a collection of limbs, organs and physical systems, and more as a network of energy pathways, a living, constantly changing flow.  Smooth, harmonious, balanced flow brings health and vitality, blocked flow and stagnant energy brings sluggishness, mental dullness and disease.
Many of the practices of both TCM and Ayurveda aim to keep the channels of energy open and flowing.  This is particularly true of the use of energy points, known as marmani or marma points in Ayurveda and acupoints or acupuncture points in TCM. (Dr Vasant Lad, Marma points of Ayurveda)

What is a marma point or marmani?


A marma is a vital energy point located on the surface of the body. Ayurveda holds that a human being is not a solid, stable material structure but an ever-changing, dynamic collection of energy and intelligence in the larger field of energy and intelligence that is the universe.  As the body is alive and pulsating with energy, there can be innumberable “energy points” within it and upon the surface, but Ayurveda texts have described 117 major marmani.  These points are “vital” because they are infused with prana, the life force, and imbued with consciousness.  Consciousness expresses itself in lively, concentrated form at these points.  Thus, marmani serve as bridge or doorway between the body, mind and soul.
The Sanskrit word marma actually means mortal or vulnerable point, suggesting areas that may be tender, weak or sensitive.  They are located at anatomical sites where veins, arteries, tendons, bones or joints intersect.  Marma also derives from the etymological root mar, which means “to kill”, and certain marmani related to heart, trachea, and testicles are so vital that damage to them can cause instant death.  Varman is another term synonymous with marma.  It is translated as secretive, hidden or delicate point. ​

Functions of Marmani
Functions of Marmani
The energy points have a wide range of functions that affect body, mind and spirit.  Marmani facilitate cellular communication, serve as diagnostic indicators, and have a virtually unlimited number of therapeutic applications, including relief of pain, detoxification, and more.  Marmani also cleanse, pacify, rejuvenate, calm the mind and emotions, enhance awareness, and serve as vehicles of preventative care.
Marma points can be used both diagnostically and therapeutically. In addition to serving as junction points between mind and body, they can be connecting points between patient and healer. Attentively listening to the subtle information the body offers, an Ayurvedic healer gains access to the state of balance or imbalance of a person. This can occur even when the patient and healer are the same person, for bringing attention to marma points can catalyze a self –referral healing process. Activating these vital energy-rich marma points support the body’s perpetual quest for balance and healing.
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Are you ready to get serious about your health and well-being? If so, I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
Connect with me by giving me a call or sending me an email. 
Yours in health,
​Pauline