Foreword by Atreya Smith v

Preface vii
Part I Introduction to Marmas:
Energy Points of Yoga and Ayurveda 1
Chapter 1 Marmas: Energy Points of Yoga and Ayurveda 3
Chapter 2 The Ayurvedic System of
Healing and Marma Therapy 11
Chapter 3 Marmas: Their Nature and Classification 27
Chapter 4 Marmas and the Practice of Yoga 41
Chapter 5 The Many Methods of Marma Therapy 1:
Massage, Aroma Therapy and Pranic Healing 63
Chapter 6 The Many Methods of Marma Therapy 2:
Herbal Methods 75
Part II Table of Marmas and Their Treatment 83
Chapter 7 Overview of Table of Marmas and Marma Therapy 85
Chapter 8 Marmas on the Arms and Hands 95
Chapter 9 Marmas on the Legs and Feet 119
Chapter 10 Marmas on the Abdomen and Chest 143
Chapter 11 Marmas on the Back and Hips 161
Chapter 12 Marmas on the Head and Neck 177
Part III Supplemental Material and Appendices 209
Appendix 1 Use of Instruments to Treat Marmas: Blood-letting,
Acupuncture, Agni-karma and Kshara-karma 211
Appendix 2 Marmapuncture, Ayurvedic Acupuncture
by Dr. Frank Ros 215
Appendix 3 Names and Classification of Marmas 223
Appendix 4 Sanskrit Ayurvedic Terms 229
Appendix 5 Ayurvedic Herbs and Oils 233
Appendix 6 Bibliography 241
Index 243
Resources 251
The subject of pranic energy as a biological force is well documented in
Ayurveda, but until now, poorly understood in the West. Prana as the posi-
tive energy of the vata dosha is the primary source of physical and energetic
health. Ayurvedic medicine has a wonderful therapeutic system to work
directly on this bio-energetic principle that is called Marma therapy.
Prana as the source of the tridosha is the single most important factor in
health and therapeutic treatment. All Ayurvedic therapies work on the
prana of the patient in some manner, striving to stabilize and harmonize
its functions, primarily through the three doshas, vata, pitta and kapha.
Marma therapy is the most direct method of harmonizing prana in the
physical body (Sthula sharira) of another person. It can also aid in the
study of yoga practices such as pranayama and asana, which are chiefly
concerned with increasing and regulating pranic function through the
nadis or channels of the subtle body. Marma therapy supplements and
supports all Ayurvedic therapies, increasing their effectiveness and ability
to awaken the healing power of the body.
Prana as the source of mental function and perception allows us to
think and perceive. It allows us to interact with the five senses, body and
physical universe. The higher forms of Yoga are concerned with the devel-
opment of prana on this level, the subtle body (Sukshma sharira), which
governs the mind and senses. The advanced aspects of Ayurveda can assist
to harmonize prana here and aid in all forms of personal development and
spiritual unfoldment. Marma therapy plays a key role in bridging the
physical and subtle bodies of yogic science. Therefore, a working knowl-
edge of Marma therapy is an important assistance on all yogic paths. Thus,
Marma therapy is a multidimensional approach to health that includes the
physical, energetic and mental sheaths (Annamaya, Pranamaya and
Manomaya Koshas) that in turn have an effect on the souls apparent jour-
ney home.
Marma therapy is used as a part of most Ayurvedic treatments and is of
primary importance in self-care and self-healing. Indian doctors prescribe
it as a matter of course for patients who are also taking herbal or other
Ayurvedic medicines. Yet, Marma therapy is used alone to treat a variety
of disorders ranging from paralyses to psychosomatic disorders. The uses
of Marma therapy are almost unlimited for health care and form a corner
vi Ayurveda and Marma Therapy

stone of classical Ayurvedic medicine.

For the first time we are presented with a clear book on the subject
from three world famous authors, lecturers and doctors. Ayurveda and
Marma Therapy is an updated and revised edition first published in India.
The present edition goes far beyond the old and adds much practical infor-
mation for the Western therapist of massage and acupressure. A number
of misconceptions and confusions are cleared up in this edition to form a
clear, practical therapeutic guide for the Westerner. In short, the present
edition of this landmark work has little to do with the original and is much
improved.
The main confusion regarding Marma therapy in the West is the con-
cept of 107 fixed points on the physical anatomy. In reality the Ayurvedic
vision of marma points is flexible and adapted to the individual, as are all
Ayurvedic therapies. The marma points can differ from one individual to
another and require a certain sensitivity on the part of the therapist to find
the area of pranic congestion. In practice we find a variety of differences
manifesting according to the prakriti (constitution) and vikriti (temporary
state) of the person. Applying the information in this book too rigidly
would be a disservice and would ignore the main vision of Ayurveda as an
individualized medicine.
There are also a number of minor marma points that are not classified
under the primary 107 points. Additionally, the ancient restriction on the
use of Marma therapy by unqualified persons shows the need of respect
and sensitivity when working on these dynamic points of energy. Further-
more, there are regional differences on marma location in India. What we
may learn in Western India can be different from Northern or Southern
India. There are also different approaches from different doctors or practi-
tioners. While this may seem confusing to the beginner it actually adds to
the richness of the tradition and forces the practitioner to use his or her
intelligence when applying the marma system to a patient. After all, the
main purpose of Ayurveda is for us to become more intelligent. Ayurveda
and Marma Therapy assists everyone in this endeavor with clear, profound
knowledge.

Atreya Smith
Author of Secrets of Ayurvedic Massage; Perfect Balance, Ayurvedic Nutrition; and di-
rector of the European Institute of Vedic Studies in France.
The science of Yoga, which has become very popular all over the world in
recent decades, is intimately connected to Ayurveda as its corresponding
system of natural medicine. As Yoga and Ayurveda become better known,
more interest is developing in their specific healing modalities as well. A
new Yoga and Ayurveda therapy is arising, integrating their renewed mu-
tual application using yogic tools like asana according to Ayurvedic guide-
lines as well as applying Ayurvedic therapies to aid in yogic healing.
The use of pressure points, called marmas in Sanskrit, is an important
part of this Yoga/Ayurveda interface. Marmas are a common topic in clas-
sical Ayurvedic texts and are referred to in modern books as well. They are
also frequently mentioned in yogic teachings. But up to this present vol-
ume Ayurveda and Marma Therapy there is no single book that at-
tempts to make this subject easily accessible and readable in the West.
This book is meant to help fill in that gap.
Ayurveda and Marma Therapy has three authors: Dr. David Frawley
(Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) of the U S A along with Dr. Subhash Ranade
and Dr. Avinash Lele both of Pune, India. Dr. Frawley is one of the leading
western Ayurvedic experts, having authored half a dozen books on the
subject as well as developed extensive course material for Ayurvedic pro-
grams. He has taken the main lead in shaping the book. Dr. Ranade is one
of the most important Indian Ayurvedic doctors teaching in the western
world as well as in India. He has written many books, including textbooks
used in Ayurvedic colleges. Dr. Ranade and Dr. Frawley co-authored the
book Ayurveda: Nature's Medicine. Dr. Lele, a colleague of Dr. Ranade, is
another important Ayurvedic doctor who has specialized in marma
therapy. He is trained in traditional Ayurvedic methods of surgery, which
carefully considers the use of marmas. Dr. Ranade and Dr. Lele have col-
laborated on several Ayurvedic books published in India.
Dr. Frawley wrote the greater portion of the material in the book, in-
cluding the explanations of Ayurvedic principles and treatments in the first
section, as well as most of the information on the treatment of marmas in
the Table of Marmas in the second section. He specifically developed the
material explaining the use of marmas relative to the practice of Yoga and
meditation, including their treatment with gem and color therapy, drawing
on various yogic teachings and other related Vedic sciences. Dr. Ranade
VIII Ayurveda and Marma Therapy

and Dr. Lele provided the illustrations and most of the information on the
description of marma points, as well as the initial outline of the book.
The book aims both at identifying marmas and indicating the appropri-
ate methods to treat them effectively. Such methods include massage with
special oils, herbs and aromas as well as acupressure, acupuncture and
various herbal remedies. While classical Ayurvedic herbs and massage oils
are presented for those who have access to these, we have also offered
commonly available herbs and oils so that any interested reader can begin
to use marma therapy for self-care purposes. The treatment of marmas
with aroma therapy, which is quick and easy to do, has been a major topic.
We would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Frank Ros, author of The
Lost Secrets of Ayurvedic Acupuncture for his chapter on 'Marmapuncture',
explaining Ayurvedic acupuncture in detail. Dr. Ros is perhaps the western
world's foremost expert on this important topic.
We would like to emphasize that this book is not meant to present the
last word on the number of marmas, their location or their manner of
treatment. The book emphasizes the main classical Ayurvedic marmas,
which are 107 in number, but many other such sensitive points can also be
used. While it introduces various methods of treating marmas, particularly
oil massage and aroma therapy, such methods can be delineated in greater
detail and adapted relative to various treatment strategies and a compre-
hensive Ayurvedic therapy. The book is a good place to start working with
marmas, but still only an introduction to this profound topic. It should be
supplemented by a further study of Ayurveda for its full application and
integration with the entire range of Ayurvedic modalities.
We have not dealt a great deal with how Ayurvedic marma therapy
interfaces with the many forms of bodywork and massage that are prac-
ticed today. That is another vast field for research which, hopefully, other
therapists will take up in time. We have included several references in the
bibliography for those who wish to take up related forms of Ayurvedic
healing, energy healing or bodywork. We welcome any feedback from our
readers, in order to improve any future editions of this book in light of
their suggestions.
Ayurveda remains a vast ocean and we are still but getting acquainted
with its waves and currents. May we gain the power to sail into its endless
horizons and enter new universes of healing and self-transformation!

Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Subhash Ranade & Dr. Avinash Lele
M A Y 2002