The Secrets of Ayurveda

[macchan]

Hello

I am so new to this - but here goes!

I have always had an interest in complementary therapies and decided to do something about it a few months ago with the children all gone their separate ways and my husband having recently passed on.

I travelled to Kerala in India, enrolled in the School of Ayurvedic massage and Panchakarma therapy and learnt the secrets of Ayurveda. This was an intensive 3 month course and I returned to the UK earlier this year, the proud bearer of 2 certificates - one in Ayurvedic massage and the other in clinical diagnosis and Ayurvedic pharmacology.

Is there anyone out there interested in talking about Ayurvedic medicine?

[Samantha6]

Congratulations Macchan! That's very exciting. I'd love to learn more about Ayurvedic medicine. I have several books about it, mostly written by Deepak Chopra. None of my sources talk much about Marmas though. I'm currently going to massage therapy school and we're studying TCM, Shiatsu and meridians. I'd like to learn about Ayurvedic marma points and massage methods. Did you learn much in your schooling about marma points?

[Azalia]

Hi Macchan,

I'm interested in studying Ayuveda and although I think it will be a while before I start training I'm looking around for information on different schools- your experience sounds great! I hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions about it-

Would you recommend this school and the tutors?

How did you find the intensive study?

What qualifications did you gain- are they nationally recognised?

Which board/examinations council accredits the school?

Was it residential or did you have to stay elsewhere?

How much did your course cost?

Do you have any contact details for the school- email/website?



OK, grilling time over! More importantly, how did you enjoy the course, and what was Kerala like?

[Azalia]

Oh, and

congratulations!

[macchan]

Dear Samantha

Would you believe that I have only just seen your mail. So my deepest apologies for not getting back to you before.

Deepak Chopra has certainly brought the secrets of Ayurveda to the western world. The one thing that was impressed on me when I went to India was that Ayurveda was NOT an alternative form of medicine. It is one of 4 major medical systems still being practiced in India. The others being Unani, Sidha and Naturopathy. Medicine as we know it here in the west is called Allopathic medicine.

But back to your question about Marmas!

Marmas = Vulnerable Body Parts

Ancient Ayurvedics have identified 107 anatomical areas on the surface of the human body and labelled them "marmas". These marma points are the seat of "prana" (life or energy). If doshas vitiate or trauma is inflicted on these marma points the prana will be distrubed ultimately producing disease.

According to ayurvedic texts, marma is an anatomical area where the five anatomical structures

muscle
vessels
ligaments and nerves
bones and joints

are collectively present.

As mentioned before there are 107 marmas present in the human body.

11 are present in each hand and leg separately (giving a total of 44 marmas in the extremeties)

3 marmas in the abdomen
9 in the chest
14 on the back - giving 26 marmas in the trunk

37 marmas in the neck and shoulder

(Total 107)

I could, of course break down the marmas and position them, e.g.

1. Thala Hridaya - the marma present in the centre of the sole (in line with the middle toe) - any injury to this marma will cause severe pain or may cause death.

(As I said that was an example) - There are 107 marmas and I couldn't possibly go into them all.

I hope this has been of some help to you.

All the best

Evelyn

[White Crane]

Macchan
Interesting to see your message. I picked it up from a Google search on Marma therapy. I am interested to go to kerala in August/Sept. 2005.
Which Ayurvedic School did you go to ? I am interested in The Ayurvedic Acharya in Kannur, north Kerala. There is another school and Marma Center in Trinvandrum, South Kerala called Ayurjeeva. Have you heard of those schools.? Which school did you go to and what did your 3 moths course cost if I may ask ?

Thanks so much for your response.
White Crane, Hans

[djasmine]

hello
I'm frecnh and I just finished my physiotherapy studies. I really want to go to India for 4 to 6 monthes to learn ayurveda and reflexology.
I read that you lollow intensive courses in ayurveda. Do you recommand me this school ?
Were was it located ?
thank you for your reply.
Djasmine

[poppyfields]

hi,

I've just undergone an intensive training programme in this country. the course was run by Tri-dosha (they advertise on HP) and was taught by 2 doctors from Kerala.

We learnt ayurvedic massage therapy, and also had an intro to panchakarma.
the subjects I can perform are:

Pandabyanga - leg and foot massage
Shirobhyanga - seated massage
Shirodhara - 3rd eye drip
Udwarthanam - slimming dry powder
Ahbyanga - full body
Soundyarm Vardhini - ayurvedic marma facial
Ayurvedic facial using products from India
Pinda sweda- herbal bags with warm oil

Tri-dosha are running courses in November