Asana and Marmani
Asana practice and marma chikitsa are inextricably linked in that they both bridge the body and mind, bringing increased harmony and healing. Both enhance awareness and balance ojas, tejas and prana.
Every asana can be viewed in terms of its biomechanics and energetics.
Biomechanics is the art of correct alignment and proper positioning, which are essential for gaining maximum therapeutic benefit. In general, initial emphasis is on form rather than on flexibility. With time and practice, flexibility and the ease of being in a particular posture increase.
Energetically, each asana triggers the subtle flow of prana and awareness into specific regions of the body, including the surface anatomy, organ systems and marmani.
Prana is the intelligence that promotes optimal functioning of the body on every level from gross to subtle, including the cellular.
Because each asana stimulates several marmani, yoga can be considered a form of self-managed marma chikitsa.
This occurs through three mechanisms:
1. Stretching of the connective tissue in which marmani lie
2. Direct pressure on marmani by the ground or other body parts
3. Flow of prana to certain marmani via the prana nādīs (subtle channels)
This stimulation is comparable to the therapeutic application of physical pressure or massage to the marmani. Hence, many benefits of marma chikitsa can be achieved through yoga postures. For example, asanas that expand the chest stimulate local marmani, many of which are related functionally to the lungs. Thus, a thorough knowledge of marmani can deeply enhance any Yoga practice.
Yoga practice should also be combined with the Ayurvedic wisdom of selecting asanas based on one’s constitution. Certain poses either pacify or stimulate specific doshas, according to both the nature of the posture and how it is practiced. It is important that each person’s yoga practice be unique to their doshic constitution and their present imbalances. Because of the influence of weather and seasons on the mind-body and the balance of the doshas, asana practice would ideally vary with the seasons. For example, postures that increase heat would be avoided in summer and favored in winter. Understanding how an asana is related to the doshas and to the marmani is necessary for anyone who wishes to go deeply into yoga.
Vata Balancing Postures
Asanas that are stabilizing and grounding calm vata dosha. These postures focus on the pelvic cavity, lower abdominal region and low back. They also act on other regions governed by vata dosha, including the colon, thighs, ears and extremities.
These asanas increase clarity and stability, and pacify fluctuating emotions such as anxiety, nervousness and insecurity. Vata individuals must avoid overexertion and strenuous exercises. In general, vata moves upward, therefore inverted postures are beneficial because they help to pacify vata dosha. Marmani along the spine are stimulated in all these asanas.
Āsana and Marmāni. Vata dosha
- Āsana: Shīrshāsana (Head Stand). Marmāni: Mūrdhni, Brahmarandhra, Shivarandhra, Kaksha, Kakshadhara, Nābhi, Kūrpara, Pāda Madhya and marmani of the legs
- Āsana: Salabhāsana (Locust Pose). Marmāni: Hanu, Kantha, Crīvā, Ūrdhva Skandha, Yakrut, Plīha, Nābhi, Bhaga, Janu, and marmani of the extremities
- Āsana: Bhujangāsana (Cobra Pose). Marmāni: Pāda Kshipra, Pāda Charana, Jānu, Sakthi Ūrvī, Bhaga, Nābhi, Vrukka, Kukundara, Apastambha, Jatrū, Crīvā, Kūrpara, and marmani of the hands
