Pronunciation: [mˈɑːmə] (IPA) 
The word "MARMA" is spelled with the letters M-A-R-M-A. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /ˈmɑːrmə/. The first sound is a long "a" as in "marble", followed by an "r" sound. The next syllable starts with a short "a" pronounced as in "cat", and then an "m" sound. Finally, the word ends with a schwa sound. "MARMA" is a Sanskrit word that refers to pressure points in the body, used in various traditional Indian medicine practices.
Marma is a Sanskrit term that refers to vital energy points or sensitive areas in the body according to traditional Ayurvedic medicine. These points are believed to be the meeting points of various aspects of anatomical structures such as muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints, as well as the pathways of the body's vital energy, known as prana.
In Ayurveda, marmas are considered the junctions where the five elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air, and ether – meet, which makes them vulnerable and significant for health and wellbeing. These sensitive areas are said to contain significant pranic energy and are considered spiritual and physical gateways to the body, mind, and consciousness.
The human body is believed to have 107 marma points, each playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the body's functions. These energy points are classified based on their size, shape, and location. Some marma points are small and circular, while others can be larger and irregular in shape.
Marma therapy involves specific applications of pressure or massage to stimulate or restore the flow of prana in the body. By manipulating these energy points, it is believed that physical ailments, emotional imbalances, and spiritual disharmony can be improved or resolved.
Marma points are also utilized in various forms of traditional Indian martial arts, especially Kalari Payattu, where practitioners are trained to target specific marma points to disable an opponent.
Overall, marma is a term used in Ayurveda to describe vital energy points that hold great significance in maintaining the holistic health of an individual.
