Marma chikilsathari is the backbone of kalaripayattu. Marmas are the pressure points within the body usually close to the skin surface, where important nerves form junctures with muscles fibers,veins, bones and joints. Prana(life energy) flows through the body channeled through marmas or vital points. 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 and where the Prana is present. A kalari master uses the marma points to heal. The Kalari master has extreme knowledge about psycho-physiological aspects and practical knowledge on the bodys vital spots marma. This gives him extraordinary control over his body and thus the control of the vital energy.The marmachikilsathari is aimed at remodeling the humors of the body environment. Vatha humor is considered to be the principle energy form in the living body, which enables the energy forces to work in its manner. Channelizing this particular energy system will naturally balances the other humors too.
Without practice of kalaripayattu the student could not develop the actual picture about the marma chikilsa in the mind. When there is situations in which modern medical science fails kalari marma chikilsa acts as a saviour.