Kalari marma massage

Marma applications are a central part of the Kalari tradition, both in the healing and martial arts. For Kerala’s ancient warriors, knowledge of marmas was used for both battle and healing.

Marma are vital energy points, often called pressure points. They are located at the junctions of various tissues in the body.

The specialty of receiving treatment from a Kalaripayattu master lies in their practical, in-depth knowledge of marma. A master knows where the points are located, how they are understood in fighting, how to identify them when affected, and how to work with them for healing.

Warm herbalised oil plays an important role in Kalari treatments. Herbal oil is a carrier that delivers herbs into deeper tissues. When the warmed herbal oils are applied in a treatment, the skin’s pores open. This allows the herbs' healing properties to more deeply penetrate the affected tissues. When herbs are used in this manner, they also help remove impurities from the body.

Kalari herbal oils are freshly made in our clinic by Master Biju Nair, with assistance from his Kalari students. The herbal combinations are selected according to traditional Kalari knowledge and the purpose of the treatment.

In the Kalari tradition, herbal oils and preparations are part of the knowledge passed from teacher to student.

Kizhi is a traditional herbal poultice treatment.

A poultice is filled with herbal ingredients, warmed in herbalised oil and applied to the body with massage. In Kalari marma massage, marma kizhi may be used to provide extra warmth and softening around areas of stiffness, tension, or restriction.

The combination of warmth, oil, herbs and massage helps prepare the body for deeper work and supports comfort and ease of movement.

The marma kizhi used in our clinic is made according to traditional Kalari knowledge.

Kalari marma massage is a traditional Kalari treatment from Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition. It uses targeted massage, marma applications, warm herbalised oils and marma kizhi for pain, injuries and movement restrictions.

Yes. Kalari marma massage is part of the treatment tradition connected with Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s traditional martial art. In Kerala, this treatment knowledge is traditionally held within the Kalari lineage and passed from teacher to student.

Kalari chikitsa is the healing system of Kerala’s martial art, Kalaripayattu. It developed alongside Kalaripayattu to help prevent injuries, support recovery, and improve the fighting skills of its warriors.

It includes a range of massage methods, marma applications, herbal oils, pastes, poultices and herbal medicines.

No. Although the treatment is part of the Kalaripayattu tradition, you do not need to practise Kalari to receive it. People book for support with pain, injuries and restricted movement.

The Kalari tradition shapes the treatment you receive. Kalari marma massage is traditionally taught through the Kalaripayattu lineage, where martial training and healing knowledge are closely connected.

This means your treatment is guided by practical knowledge of Kalari training, marma, movement and recovery, with attention to how pain, stiffness or restriction may be affecting the body as a whole.

No. Kalari foot massage, also known as Chavutti Thirummal, is a separate Kalari massage method.

In Chavutti Thirummal, the practitioner massages with the feet while holding a rope for balance.

At our centre, Chavutti Thirummal is available only to Kalaripayattu students.