Marma-Oriented Ayurvedic and Yogic Approaches in Women’s Health: Retrospective Observations from Community Wellness and Yoga-Based Programs
Bhawna Mittal
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences August 12, 2026 DOI: 10.21760/jaims.11.7.38 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational wellness program report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women participating in community wellness programs and individual consultations in the United States, dealing with anxiety, stress, hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, fatigue, and menopausal symptoms |
| Interventions | Restorative yoga mindful breathing grounding exercises meditation Marma awareness lifestyle advice self-care tips gentle self-massage |
| Key findings | Participants commonly reported improved emotional calmness, reduced stress perception, improved sleep quality, enhanced body awareness, and reduced hot flush intensity after Marma-focused Ayurvedic and yogic practices. Some women with hormonal imbalances and mood swings showed more tenderness and sensitivity around the Manibandha Marma area. The authors conclude that these practices may support women's emotional and physical well-being and call for more structured clinical research. |
Abstract
Background: Women often face emotional, hormonal, psychological, and physical challenges at different stages of life. Issues like anxiety, stress, poor sleep, fatigue, mood swings, and perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flushes are becoming more common in community wellness settings. In Ayurveda, Marma refers to important anatomical and energetic points linked to circulation, sensory coordination, pranic flow, and overall balance. While classical Ayurvedic texts discuss Marma in detail, there is little modern research on how these concepts are used in women’s wellness programs that combine yoga and breath-focused practices.
Objective: This paper aims to observe how Marma-focused Ayurvedic and yogic practices may support the emotional and physical well-being of women participating in community wellness programs and individual consultations.
Materials and Methods: This paper is based on observations from yoga sessions, Ayurvedic consultations, relaxation programs, women’s wellness workshops, and breath-focused practices held in the United States. The participants were women dealing with anxiety, stress, hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, fatigue, and menopausal symptoms. The wellness methods used included restorative yoga, mindful breathing, grounding exercises, meditation, Marma awareness, lifestyle advice, and self-care tips. Observations were based on participant verbal feedback, self-reported experiences, and instructor observations documented during wellness sessions. No medical diagnosis, invasive intervention, or therapeutic treatment was provided as part of these wellness observations.
Results: Participants commonly reported improved emotional calmness, reduced stress perception, improved sleep quality, enhanced body awareness, and reduced hot flush intensity. The practices often focused on specific Marma points such as Manibandha, Hridaya, Nabhi, and Talahridaya, using yoga, breathwork, grounding, and gentle self-massage. Some women with hormonal imbalances and mood swings showed more tenderness and sensitivity around the Manibandha Marma area.
Conclusion: Marma-focused Ayurvedic and yogic practices may help support women’s emotional and physical well-being. More structured clinical and interdisciplinary research is needed to better understand how Marma-centered practices can benefit women’s health.