108 marma points cover the human body

The guiding principle of Ayurveda is disease prevention by harmonizing the body's rhythm with nature. Marma is a Sanskrit word meaning hidden , or secret. By definition, a marma point is a juncture on the body where two or more types of tissue meet, such as muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. Yet marma points are much more than a casual connection of tissue and fluids; they are intersections of the vital life force and prana, or breath.

The marma points are where consciousness meets matter; where deep silence resides in the body. In Ayurveda, marma points are thought to house the three pillars of life, otherwise known as the doshas. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, doshas make up a person's constitution. The trinity includes vata (air), pitta (fire) and kapha (earth). Everyone is born in a state of balance, or prakriti. The marma points are vital points on the body where vata, pitta, and kapha are present in their subtlest forms.

In all, 107 marma points cover the human body. They range in size from one to six inches in diameter. The points were mapped out in detail centuries ago in the Sushruta Samhita, a classic Ayurvedic text. Major marma points correspond to the seven chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the torso and limbs. The points cover both the front and back body, including 22 on the lower extremities, 22 on the arms, 12 on the chest and stomach, 14 on the back, and 37 on the head and neck. (The mind is considered the 108th marma.)  Major marma points correspond to   seven Chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the trunk and limbs. Traditionally marma points are grouped into 3 categories. those on the legs and feet, Sanakha Marma, on the trunk, Madhayamanga Marma, neck and head, Jatrurdhara Marma. 

During the aging process, factors such as anxiety, lackluster diet, or poor sleep habits cause disharmony among the doshas. Over the years, doshic imbalances begin to block the movement of free-flowing energy in the body. Eventually, the stagnation opens the door to physical and mental discomfort and disease. 

ROLE OF MARMA

There are four basic purposes of Marma:

1. It remove  blocks in energy channels called shrotas.
2. It pacifies vata dosha, (air and space elements ), bringing it to its normal path— especially vyana vata, (a sub-dosha which controls the autonomic nervous system.) 
3. It creates physical, mental and emotional flexibility.  Because of ama (toxins) and because of vata, human beings after 35 or 40 years of age become rigid — and this happens to animals and plants as well.  As vata increases in   body, it leads to degeneration.  This rigidity  means becoming fixed in ideas, emotions and physical movements. 
4. This gentle treatment creates an opportunity to experience powerful and dynamic transformation at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level  by building a positive link with the unconscious mind.  Many a times, people are not able to go outside their ‘comfort zone’.  They think they have absolute limitations.  After Marma is done, they can start taking positive risks.