Work is manic, the fridge is empty and you have to make a castle for your daughter to take into school tomorrow (just after you’ve thrown away the last Amazon box). We’ve all been there. With no time to check ourselves into an afternoon at the spa, we need something easy and effective to energize us.
What if I told you that all you need is 5 minutes for a quick and simple marma point hand massage you can perform anywhere? Waiting in the car, sitting at the desk, sitting in front of the TV - all you need is a little bottle of lotion or oil in your bag and you're good to go.
What is marma therapy?
As a healing modality in Ayurvedic treatment, marma chikitsa (also known as marma therapy) is the “precise art of touching an individual in exactly the right place at a critical moment in time, for the purpose of healing’. It is believed that marma points are the gateways to the body’s innate intelligence, and massaging marma points can transcend the physical and change the body’s biochemistry and bring about radical healing in the body, mind and consciousness.
Where are marma points?
Ancients physicians mapped out 107 physical marma points in our body, located where tendons, bones, muscles, joints, veins, nerves, and other tissues meet. It is thought that our key energies that connect our body are situated at these points, and our health can be impacted when any of these energies become stagnant.
How do marma points work?
Marma point massage works to clear these blockages, in a way that is similar to acupuncture or reflexology in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Ready to begin? Here’s how you can do our quick 5-minute Energizing Marma Point Hand Massage:
Here are the key points on your hand to focus on and we recommend using an herbal oil to draw out ama (toxins). You can start with massaging one marma point on the palm of your hand, at the end. Massage in small clockwise circular motions for at least 30 seconds at each point.
1. The key marma point on the top of the hand is called the Kurcha. To find it, hold your hand flat and squeeze a straight thumb gently against the index finger, which should reveal a small fleshy lump – this is where you press – deep enough so you can feel the painful spot.
This point is said to be directly connected to the whole of your upper body and improves the flow of energy to your head. It also supports your digestive processes by improving Agni, which is the ayurvedic term for the digestive fire, which controls your metabolism, digestion and the immune system.
2. The second smaller marma point is at the edge of the skin between the thumb and index finger. Massaging here supports the heart and lungs and stimulates your lymphatic system.
3. Moving towards the wrist you will find 2 corresponding points called Manibandha. One is another key point for your digestion and for the muscles of your hand.
4. The next lies at your wrist, which represents the pelvic area. Slide in a little and you’ll find the 4th key marma point, said to energise the reproductive system and relieve joint pain.
5. Lastly, on the palm of your hand is a small calming healing marma energy point called the Talahridaya which helps circulation in the upper half of your body and helps strengthen your immune system.
From here, take your massage down into each of the fingers, which represent your head and neck, starting first with the little fingers. Remember that the marma points are located on both hands, on your palms and on the backs.
Try our award-winning Lime Vetiver Hand & Body Lotion combined healing kokum better and hydrating aloe vera juice with an elixir of pure essential oils to leave your skin nourished and velvety-soft.
Enjoy your massage and let us know if it worked for you!
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