Marma therapy

Marma applications are an integral part of our Kalari treatments for injuries and pain-related conditions.

marma massage

What is marma?

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

Any obstruction to these points creates an imbalance that can lead to disease, pain and discomfort. The aim is to identify and address blockages in the marma to restore the flow of energy in the body. This has the effect of boosting the body’s healing capacity.

Marma healing as part of a warrior tradition

In our Kalari treatments, our method of marma applications comes from Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition.

For Kerala’s ancient warriors, their knowledge of marmas was used for both battle and healing purposes. Marma was very important since the warrior’s life depended on their ability to attack the marma to stun or disarm an opponent, to defend their own marma and to heal injuries to the marma.

Today, this knowledge is preserved in Kerala, where the traditional martial art Kalaripayattu is still practiced. Here, the Kalaripayattu Master plays the dual role of a martial arts teacher and a healer.

Marma applications are done in a very particular way, and a specific technique is used for each point. In the Kalaripayattu tradition, one must know how to harm a marma to understand how to heal it with a counter-application.

The specialty of receiving a treatment with a Kalaripayattu Master is their practical and in-depth knowledge of marma. A Master knows exactly where the points are located, how to affect them in fighting, how to identify them if injured and how to manipulate them for healing.

Kalari massages with marma applications

As a practical manual therapy, massage is a primary element of Kalari chikitsa. At our centre, marma applications are used within Kalari marma massage.
treatment kalari massage

Kalari marma massage

Kalari marma massage comes from Kerala’s martial art, Kalaripayattu. It combines targeted massage techniques, marma applications, kizhi and herbalised oils for pain, injuries and movement restrictions.

Recommended for

  • Sports injuries
  • Musculoskeletal injuries and imbalances
  • Muscle and joint pain, stiffness or deep-seated tension
  • Back, neck, shoulder and knee pain
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Sciatica
  • Arthritis

More about Kalari chikitsa

chikilsa

What is Kalari chikitsa?

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 continues today as a traditional approach for supporting modern aches, pains and injuries.
traditional medicine making

Why traditional medicine making is part of Kalaripayattu training

Herbal medicine has always been a part of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. For a Kalaripayattu student, traditional medicine making is an integral element of their physical and mental training.

kalari ayurveda centre
Kalari Ayurveda Centre provides the ancient Indian healing arts of Ayurveda and Kalari chikitsa with experience, expertise, and an emphasis on tradition. We specialise in these treatments for your aches, pains, and injuries, and to enhance your overall health.
© 2013-2026 Kalari Ayurveda Centre and Australian School of Kalaripayattu  ABN 25 024 709 165.