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What is Varma Kalai​?

Varma Kalai is an ancient Indian art of self-defense practiced by our ancestors which focuses on specific body pressure points that either cause or cure pain. It is a derivative of various activities such as massage, yoga, alternative medicine and martial arts. Varma kalai is a derivative of the classical Siddha System of Medicine. Practitioners strike to these points which bring about pain, paralysis or death.

Varma Kalai also heals and its knowledge is also applied in medicine aimed at treatment of body parts which are injured or sick. The art seeks agility of movements, the speed and precision of strikes, hence it is also a combat technique and self defense.

Overview of Varma Kalai and its Categories or Techniques​

Varma Kalai is quite a somewhat rare version of Indian martial arts since it only deals with constraints and management of vital points in the human body. This fighting art encompasses various disciplines of self-defense, body works and spiritual healing. Here follows in great detail the discussion of Varma Kalai as it pertains to a practitioner’s techniques, philosophy and applications.

Historical Context

The history of Varma Kalai finds strong affirmation from ancient Tamil culture as it belonged to the nobility and is said to have been inherited by most warriors and healers. Since Varma Kalai is a restricted and affiliated practice to Ayurveda, it rests largely as a practice or discipline intended to offer a person holistic solutions to health and the social spheres.

Philosophy

Understanding the work and mechanisms of the body and its energy systems can be construed as the central philosophy of Varma Kalai. The root and core of practice are permeated with the belief of ‘varmam’ points that when properly manipulated, incapacitate or hurt an opponent or heal injuries.

Techniques in Varma Kalai

A number of techniques can be recognized in as well as attributed to Varma Kalai practice, and these include the following key ones:

1. Vital Point Striking

• Varmam Points: The main purpose of Varma Kalai or rather its essence could be said to learn and train to over 108 body Varmam points. These are individual and unique points and at each triangle point lies one specific organ or system that can be targeted for pain, paralysis or even unconsciousness.
• Striking Techniques: The striking hand, the kicking leg, or the elbows and the hands all deliver blows to the four varmam points. Effectiveness of these techniques is based on accuracy and timing.

2. Joint Locks and Throws

• Joint Locks: These are distortions of an opponent’s movement through the use of joint locks practiced by competing athletes. They immobilize one person or throw them by focusing on certain joints.
• throws Techniques: It can be throwing techniques which involve the opponent being thrown or balance being lost by the use of opponent’s own intimidation.

3. Defensive Mas and Counters

• Waist Techniques: Evasion is a strategy at Varmakalai; there are passive and active strategies within Varmakalai for evading attacks and preparing for a counter counter strike.
• Counterattacks: The second principle is the counter strike where practitioners are trained to always respond to an opponent’s counter with blows to the relevant varmam points.

4. Healing Techniques

• Therapeutic Applications: Nonetheless, even outside of conflict, Varmakalai practitioners often utilize varmam points they know of in a more applying varmam techniques utilitarian way. These techniques use gentle pressure or massage on the varmam points to reduce pain or promote healing.
• Energy balancing: such practice almost always contains energy balancing which is practiced to restore harmony within the structural systems of the body.

Training and Practice

For Varma Kalai practitioners, training depicts a pattern of the following importances:

• Physical Conditioning: It is necessary to practice various exercises in order to develop oneself physically and mentally.
• Sparring Sessions: Sparring sessions are an important part of training, as they enable students to think and fight at the same time.
• Meditation and Breath Control: Meditation and breathing techniques are essential for those who want to master the arts of war.

Cultural Significance

It has to be noted that Varma Kalai in its purest form is a form of self-defense that is rich in tradition, and philosophy from Tamil Nadu. It is habitual that it is also combined with Kalaripayattu and Silambam.

Ultimately, Varma Kalai is of martial force combined with the great art of healing that has been age-old. Techniques are perfected not to only self defend but to maintain health and therefore practice is practical to this day. With everywhere in the world showing interest in the history of martial arts, Varma Kalai is distinct in its own way, from every standpoint in combat studies.

How does Varma Kalai differ from other martial arts?

Varma Kalai is unique among other martial arts in that it deals with the idea of target areas, body healing and inner philosophical ideologies. The basic variations are listed below:

1. Focus on Vital Points

• Target Varmam Points: The principle of Varmakalai is the targeting of about 108 vital points of the body which are infamously “varmam”. They are capable of incapacitating one’s enemy or inflicting pain which is strikingly absent in many other martial arts.

• Precision Over Force: In Varma Kalai unlike in other forms of martial arts where sheer strength and endurance is vital, it has come to depend more on the timing and target precision in order to hit the sensitive points.

1. Integration of Healing Practices

• Therapeutic Applications: It is very common to Varma Kalai practitioners and their application of such knowledge for the purpose of wellness management where they apply the specific pressure to specific points. We do not find much of that combination in the other styles of martial arts that seem to pay very little attention on the fighting aspect and instead focus only in fighting.

• Medical element of Art: Apart from key concepts of martial arts, siddha medicine also assists in maintaining the balance of the body, emotions and thoughts which many martial arts do not take into account and spend the majority of their time only on body training.

3. Philosophical Foundations

• Cultural Context: Varma Kalai has a specific place and space within the Tamil cultural and philosophical framework, which features an either of a special historical context and therefore determines its techniques and procedures. Several other martial arts are based on different cultural backgrounds and possess unique philosophical doctrines that affect their training practices.
• Spiritual Discipline: Such a practice sometimes encompasses more than just physical movement as meditation and breath control are made part of the practice, fostering mental concentration as well as personal and spiritual advancement aside from bodily development.

4. Training Methodology

• Emphasis on Evasion and Counterattacks: Within the curriculum of Varma Kalai, the focus is also trained on evasion techniques whilst counterattacks and not merely defensive or offensive strikes. This is in stark contrast to certain martial arts that may have a more aggressive or full contact approach.
• Physical Conditioning with a Purpose: It is a general culture to see physical conditioning being practiced with all forms of martial arts whereas Varma Kalai in particular, equips its practitioners with the necessary skills and techniques to enable them to strike with precision, targeting vital points on the opponent’s body.

5. Combat Philosophy

• Self-Defense Orientation: Varma Kalai is in most cases regarded to be a self-defense system with the intention of using a distance strategy to take out an attacker rather quickly targeting points instead of in a prolonged fight scenario. This is different from certain martial arts forms such as boxing and karate as noted, this could involve much volumes of strikes exchanges.
• Non-Aggressive Intent: The philosophy behind Varma Kalai is that of non-violent aggression and restraint, and encourages those who practice the technique to use the skill for self-defense only when necessary.

In short, Varma Kalai is different from other martial arts due to its distinct focus on the manipulation of vital points, the integration of healing elements, rich philosophy, as well as specialized training techniques and an overarching approach to combat. All these factors also shape its identity as a martial art and a disease prevention and treatment based on ancient systems of practices.

Varma Kalai Varmams | Varma Kalai pressure points​

The pratice of Varma Kalai martial art and healing recognizes and operates on 108 Varmam points in the human body. These points are also classified according to their location on the body and function as well as how they can be stimulated or affected. Below is a detailed breakdown of the types of Varmams. The classifications are:

Classification of Varmams

1. Regional Classification

The Varmam points are distributed across different regions of the body, categorized as follows:

• Legs (15 points)
• Head to Neck (25 points)
• Neck to Navel (45 points)
• Navel to Arm (9 points)
• Arms (14 points)

2. Types of Varmams Based on Stimulation

Other types of classifications of Varmams which are related to its location and stimulation include;

• Padu Varmam (Vital Life Centers): There are 12 major Padu Varmam’s which are essential in protecting and nourshing life therefore, trauma to these areas of the body can cause life threats.
• Thodu Varmam (Medium Life Centers): This category encompasses 96 points focused at muscle, nerve, and vascular coordinative intersections that can be disrupted by light contact.
• Thattu Varmam (Striking Life Centers): 8 points which are stimulated through either slapping or making taps.
• Ull Varmam (Internal Life Centers): 6 located inside the body which aim at some of the vital organs.
• Nakku Varmam (Licking Life Centers): 1 point which is developed by licking.
• Nokku Varmam (Gazing Life Centers): practised stay quite, purposely affecting a point while only activating a point.

3. Traumatic Classification

This classification is relative to the degree of trauma exhibited:

• Padu Varmam: Such points can be directly fatal with strikes leading to death at that person.
• Thodu Varmam: These points can be applied and injured, but will not result in immediate death.

4. Classification Based on Channels (Nadis)

The body is laden with individual Nadis within which distinct Varmams are found:

• Each Nadis corresponds to multiple Thodu Varmams, emphasizing the interconnectedness of energy flow in the body.

5. Numerical Classification

As we see in a number of texts, the Varmams can be looking at individually also in terms of numbers as follows:

• Odd Varmams: 48
• Even Varmams: 60

6. Classification on the basis of five elements

Similarly, as the philosophy goes, Varmams as always, are subdivided according to five elements:

• Earth Prithivi Varmams: 36
• Water Appu Varmams: 15
• Fire Theyu Varmams: 32
• Air Vayu Varmams: 13
• Space Aakaya Varmams: 12

An understanding of the classification and function of these 108 Varmam points proves useful for those practicing Warma Kalai. This mastery facilitates their use in practical combat techniques and therapeutic modalities which show that the art is indeed a self defense system and a healing art. Adequate practice and skill are necessary because these vital points when not properly handled may cause detrimental effects.

How to learn Varma Kalai​?

Learning Varma Kalai, the ancient martial art and healing system from Tamil Nadu, is a three–fold process requiring training in physical training, theoretical knowledge and spiritual practice. Here’s a step by step plan for the effective learning of Varma Kalai.

Important steps while learning Varma Kalai

Step #1: Find a Qualified Teacher (Aasan)

• Search: Identify competent Varma Kalai teachers or schools. The teacher as “Aasa” has to know the value of the art and how it fits into the world schemes.
• Examination: See that the Aasan is in good standing or has a good reputation in the Varma Kalai faction. This is vital because there are many who falsely profess amicus curiae expertise.

Step #2: Know the Criteria for participation

• Literacy: A would be student should at least have a basic understanding of fundamental subjects like biology, physics, chemistry, etc and the accompanying traditional Indian ideologies and culture. Such broad and disciplinary knowledge forearms a learner to handle the intricacies revolving around Varma Kalai.
• Physique: One should also be properly fit because Varma Kalai includes strenuous workout regimes.

Step #3: Initial Training and Rituals

• Guru Pooja: Inter-training comes with the first offering to the Gurukkal (priest) and Aasan who is honored with an unsolicited contribution (Kaanikkai). Many in this Sankalpa also pray to Agastya or Bohar or other deities.
• Basic Techniques: Execute fundamental techniques first such as gaining an understanding of the vital points (Varmams) through contact and observation.

Step #4: Progressive Learning

• Kalari Training: Take part in Kalaripayattu (martial art that goes hand in hand with the Varma Kalai) for around three years. This high intensity training can be perfect for preparing the learner for the high-level Varma’s style.
• Gradual Introduction to Varmams: After basic training, learn about each of the Varmam points in due time and their roles. The Aasan will gradually, take you through these points with the help of techniques like fine rice flour impressions where the points will be marked on your body.

Step #5: Advanced Techniques

• Thodu Varmam and Padu Varmam: Some Varmams are classified as Thodu which are non-lethal, and others as Padu which are lethal. It is vital for everyone in the healing practice or the combat art to know the Varmams and their uses.
• Nokku Varmam: This is a higher stage sub-technique that specializes in activating discrete vital points through mental focus alone, and takes many years of commitment to achieve this level.

Step #6: Long-Term Commitment

• Duration of Study: Typically Varma Kalai is mastered after average ten to twelve years of earning it. Theory is also part of the big picture and together with the practical angle make the final understanding of the discipline.
• Continuous Learning: A person can eventually become good at the skill but that does not mean further strengthening of the skills is over as other more practical Aasans may have developed and require further knowledge of the art.

Step #7: Becoming an Aasan

• In case you have had several teachings and received blessings from your Aasan, you may be considered one yourself. It is an acceptance that comes with vows, and promises to adhere to the principles of the Aasan with dignity.

Acquiring Varma Kalai involves an advanced understanding, practice and attainment of one’s self and body. It is not simply a battle but rather a dance that involves history, culture, values, and principles. Following these procedures and having a suitably qualified teacher allows one to start and progress in this ancient honing skill that is beyond preparing for self-defense but extends to practicing healing processes attributed to the principles of ancient cultures.

Varma Kalai Treatment​ | Varma Kalai for treating various conditions and ailments

Varma Kalai, is also an ancient healing art form that manipulates the body’s vital points known as Varmams. It integrates skills from ancient Siddha medicine and is used to stave off more serious conditions in a non-invasive manner. Below is an exploration of Varma Kalai treatments for specific conditions:

1. Varma Kalai Treatment for Back Pain

Overview

Each child in the family experiences backache at least once in their lifetime which may be triggered by a muscle sprain, inappropriate body posture, or other diseases. Back pain is a palliative complaint that can be further managed by using Varma Kalai which utilizes unequal tactics to address specific Varmam points correlating to the back pain region.

Treatment Techniques

• Mudichu Varmam: This point is found at the peak of the C7 vertebra and can be alleviated by first pressing this area of the neck muscles in a clock-wise motion to relieve neck as well as upper back thirst.
• Manipooraga Adangal: Pain in the lower back may be reinfected by applying pressure at this part situated five fingers low of umbilicus. This point is pressed until it lifts.
• Soodothari Varmam: This point is mostly four fingers above the wrist joint, and pressure applied here would immediately ease up neuro-tension of the back.

Benefits

After achieving regular treatment, the disorder of the individual is resolved to its core where pain is noticeably minimum, motion is well coordinated, and body health is most intact as the harmony of the body has been retrieved.

2. Varma Kalai Treatment for Arthritis

Overview

Arthritis is a condition that involves inflammation and swelling of the joints leading to pain and inability to move freely. Varma Kalai therapy for arthritis offers a solution to patients by working on specified pressure points that guide the right flow of energy to the affected joints.

Treatment Techniques

• Kakkatai Kaalam: The point is found in the upper part of the chest and thorax directly amid the clavicular bones. Pressure applied on this point has the effect of making arthritis-related pain in the shoulders and upper arms vanish.
• Melmannai Varmam: Points located on the upper end portion of calf muscle so that they may be pressed to ease pain radiating to the shin and distal joint regions.
• Thodu Varmam: Manipulating 96 such points with no risk of damage to the joint’s ability and activity.

Benefits

Patients diagnosed with arthritis should consider Varma Kalai therapy as it can help in reducing further injuring of the joint structure, correcting disturbed physiology, and restoring range of motion in the joints with fewer medications.

3. Varma Kalai Treatment for Eyes

Overview

Common problems experienced include eye strain or fatigue which can be treated by applying pressure on the right set of sensitive loci. Varma Kalai practitioners identify certain Varmams that help focus on aspects of the eye which need attention.

Treatment Techniques

• Nokku Varmam: This is an advanced therapy that focuses on selected points of the body which are related to eye function in order to relieve the pressure, resulting in better eyesight and reduced wastage of energy attributable to straining the eyes. Great skill is demanded from the practitioners of this technique due to its intricacy.
• Thodu Varmam for Eyes: It is sometimes possible to depress certain sub-lethal points that are located around the head and neck to increase the circulation in the eyes and reduce eye strain.

Benefits

Tension around the ocular region may be reduced and routine treatment may even improve eye health or clarity of vision.

4. Varma Kalai Treatment for Diabetes

Introduction

A multidisciplinary approach may help diabetic patients and this includes lifestyle change and the use of other therapies. In that case, Varma Kalai can help the management of diabetes by stimulating energy points that regulates the metabolic processes.

Treatment Techniques

• Manibandha Varmam: This is located at the wrist joint and is capable of being manipulated to assist in blood sugar control.
• Adangal Techniques: This section is about pressing certain points on the abdomen that could affect the sensitivity of insulin and overall metabolic rigors.

Benefits

Varma Kalai techniques when combined with orthodox management might assist in achieving blood glucose target, improvement in energy levels and an increase in metabolism.

The therapy of Varma Kalai utilizes a distinct method of treatment for almost any condition by applying pressure on critical essential points within the body. The treatment plans are designed in such a manner that they can heal particular problems while maintaining general wellness.

Nevertheless, practitioners need to be sufficiently trained in the specific technique in order to avoid detrimental effects and achieve the desired therapeutic results. A persistent course with the assistance of qualified specialists is able to promote positive changes in health and standard of life.

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