ARI - Introduction to Medical Varmalogy for Parents of Special Children

Arts Research Institute (ARI)Coimbatore, INDIA.

The Indian Medical Science ofThe Indian Medical Science of

Varmalogy

Place: New Delhi Date: 12th Dec 2010

Arts Research Institute

• Registered public charitable trust.

• Formed in October 2005.

• Objective: To research and uncover the

knowledge of ancient indigenous hiddenknowledge of ancient indigenous hidden

Indian arts like varmam, kalari etc.

• Varmam treatment being given through

Thirumoolar Varmam Research and Therapy

Centre (TVRTC) (Unit of Arts Research

Institute) at Coimbatore & its 17 branches.www.ari.org.in 2

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

What is Varmam ?

� Varmam is the flow of vital energy in the body,

discovered and codified by Siddhas, holy men ofdiscovered and codified by Siddhas, holy men of

South India, similar to Rishis of the North.

� Energy junctions in the body are called varmam

points.

� Proper vibration or tuning of these vital points

(varmams) by experts promotes health.

www.ari.org.in 3

4

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

How many varmam points in the human body ?

�Varmam texts speak of nearly 8000 varmam

points.points.

�Till date, we have been able to locate roughly

2000 varmam points accurately.

www.ari.org.in 5

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

What is Medical Varmalogy ?

�Varmalogy is a systematic study of vital points (i.e. varmams) in the body.

�Each varmam has its own width, height, depth.

�Proper vibration or tuning of these vital points(varmams) by experts promotes health.

www.ari.org.in 6

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

What can Medical Varmalogy do ?

Medical varmalogy can be used to treat various

diseases like nerve disorders, internal organdiseases like nerve disorders, internal organ

disorders, arthritis, back pain, diabetes &

spinal problems and also bring about

improvements in patients with broad

spectrum disorders like autism, cerebral palsy,

etc.

www.ari.org.in 7

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

Varmam Tuning: How many applications possible?

Kai Paham (Which finger/Palm/Tool used) – 4 Nos.

Sei Paham (How finger/palm/tool used) – 12 Nos.Sei Paham (How finger/palm/tool used) – 12 Nos.

So every varmam point can be tuned in 48 differentways, to cure different diseases.

www.ari.org.in 8

Using different portions of fingers…

9

Different methods of application…

10

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

Varmam: Documented science or just folk art ?

� 120 detailed varmam texts under different titles, fromas early as 5th century A.D.

� Around 30,000 verses.

� Available as palm leaf / paper manuscripts.

� Enough material for 50 books containing 1000 pageseach.

www.ari.org.in 11

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

Special role of Varmam Masters (Guru / Aasaan): Bringing the ancient texts to life

�Guru clarifies location through touch-and-show.�Guru clarifies location through touch-and-show.

�Guru clarifies pressure through touch-and-show.

�Guru demonstrates different application methodsto treat different diseases.

www.ari.org.in 12

Visionary behind ARI

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

Associate Professor of Tamil,

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science,

www.ari.org.in

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

_______________________________________

Honorary Advisor & Varmam Researcher,

Arts Research Institute (ARI),

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

13

www.ari.org.in 14

Dr. Shunmugom (in glasses) teaching medical practitioners.

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• Native of Kanyakumari District - a hub forvarmam treatment in Tamil Nadu.

• His first varmam teacher was his mother.• His first varmam teacher was his mother.

• Started learning varmam in 1978 – at age 16.

• Has learnt from nearly 70 varmam masters tilldate, is still learning.

www.ari.org.in 15

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• His knowledge spreads to about 16 differentareas related to varmam science.

• E.g.– Anga Sasthra– Anga Sasthra– Thoni Sasthra– Jothisha Sasthra– Virucha Sasthra– Kuva Sasthra– Tantra Sasthra– And so on ...

www.ari.org.in 16

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• Is well-versed in deciphering manuscripts.

• Was awarded Ph.D. from University of Kerala,Kariavattam for deciphering a 10th century manuscript.

• Has researched around 120 manuscripts related tovarmam.

• Has published more than 200 articles about varmam.

www.ari.org.in 17

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• Has completed a UGC (University GrantsCommission)-funded Major Research Projecttitled ‘An Esoteric Art of Varmam and itsunification’.

• Has been nominated Varmam Trainer byDirectorate of Indian Medicine andHomoeopathy, Government of Tamil Nadu andhas trained more than 860 medical officersworking in Tamil Nadu Government Hospitals andPrimary Health Centers.

www.ari.org.in 18

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• Has served as resource person on varmam forReorientation Training (ROT) programs inGovernment Siddha Medical Colleges ofChennai and Thirunelveli.

• Has served as resource person on varmam forRefresher Course of Physical Educationconducted by UGC Staff Academic College,Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore.

www.ari.org.in 19

Dr. N.Shunmugom, Ph.D.(Tamil)

• In 1996, began teaching varmam through the

gurukulam method.

• Evolved syllabus and began to teach through

classroom training method, to reach moreclassroom training method, to reach more

doctors and volunteers in the 21st century.

• Has trained nearly 1,000 doctors and 5,000

non-doctors till date.

www.ari.org.in 20

Thirumoolar Varmam Research & Therapy

Centre (TVRTC)

• Unit of Arts Research Institute.

• Currently running 18 Therapy Centres.– Tamil Nadu : 15

– New Delhi : 1

– Karnataka (Bangalore): 1– Karnataka (Bangalore): 1

– Andhra Pradesh (Chittore) : 1

• Head Office: Coimbatore.

• All centres function under the guidance of medicalprofessionals.

www.ari.org.in 21

Thirumoolar Varmam Research & Therapy

Centre (TVRTC)

�The underlying treatment philosophy isservice.

�Nominal monthly fees collected to pay formedical practitioners involved, maintenanceof patient records, etc.medical practitioners involved, maintenanceof patient records, etc.

�Patients have one doctor consultation & 8sittings of varmam treatment per month, atany of the 18 TVRTC centres.

www.ari.org.in 22

Thirumoolar Varmam Research & Therapy

Centre (TVRTC)

�In New Delhi, treatment is currently free.

With introduction of medical supervision,fees will have to be charged to coverexpenses in the future.

www.ari.org.in 23

Thirumoolar Varmam Research & Therapy

Centre (TVRTC)

�Doctors: 120 Nos.

�Doctors from various disciplines of medicine,namely Allopathy, Siddha, Ayurveda andHomeopathy.Homeopathy.

�Volunteers: 300 Nos.

�Number of patient visits: 20,000 per month (newand old).

www.ari.org.in 24

Medical VarmalogyAn Indian Medical System

Unique features of Varmalogy

�Medicine-less treatment possible.

�Can also be used in conjunction in any other�Can also be used in conjunction in any othermedical treatment – allopathy, homeopathy, etc.

�No adverse effects or side effects.

�Low cost treatment.

www.ari.org.in 25

Arts Research Institute

Our endeavour…

• British rule marked beginning of a dark period formedical varmalogy.

• No research or experience on medical varmalogy hasbeen documented for the past 200 years.

• We are working to create awareness about medicalvarmalogy – first among Indians, then among allcitizens of the world.

www.ari.org.in 26

Arts Research Institute

�Creating awareness about varmam bypublishing quarterly magazine since Jan 2007.

�Conducting medical varmalogy training for�Conducting medical varmalogy training forboth medical professionals and non-medicalprofessionals.

�Varmalogy treatment to thousands of patientsthrough TVRTC branches.

www.ari.org.in 27

Arts Research Institute

� Structured training programs for medicalprofessionals in practical varmalogy.

� Conducting training programs for medicalprofessionals to help them decipher medicalprofessionals to help them decipher medicalmanuscripts.

� To ensure medical varmalogy techniques are knownto medical practitioners from all streams ofmedicine.

www.ari.org.in 28

Arts Research Institute

�In May 2008, conducted the first ‘National

Conference on Varmalogy – 2008’ in

Coimbatore.

�Attended by 480 medical professionals.�Attended by 480 medical professionals.

�Varmam-trained doctors presented papers on

results they had obtained by practicing

varmam to treat 10 major disorders, including

diabetes, slipped disc and cerebral palsy.

www.ari.org.in 29

Varmam Therapy for Special Children

Our Experience

�We have been treating special children since

2005.2005.

�Around 300 special children are currently

under varmam therapy across our 18 centres.

www.ari.org.in 30

Varmam Therapy for Special Children

Basic Treatment Protocol: How does it work?

�Protects brain cells.

�Helps develop brain cells.�Helps develop brain cells.

�Enhances distribution of brain energy through

the whole body.

�Most importantly, stimulates sensory and

motor divisions of the nervous system.

www.ari.org.in 31

Varmam Therapy for Special Children

Basic Treatment Protocol

�Enhances oxygen inhalation and its

distribution through the body.distribution through the body.

�Strengthens internal organs (i.e. heart, lungs,

liver, gallbladder and spleen) in the body.

www.ari.org.in 32

Varmam Therapy for Special Children

Additional Treatment Protocol

Tailored to suit each individual child:

E.g. If a child has problems with eyesight or

hearing, in addition to other development

problems, specific points are added to the

Basic Protocol to address these issues.

www.ari.org.in 33

Varmam Therapy for Special Children

Our Experience…

� Parents report improvement in their child’s day-to-

day functioning to examining doctors.day functioning to examining doctors.

� Parents also report their own reduced daily stress,

as child becomes more independent.

� Lasting improvements are seen only in children who

get continuous treatment, typically, for at least a

year.

www.ari.org.in 34

Arts Research Institute

Project Vathsalya Bhavam: Launched June 2010

�Free half-day training camps for parents and

caregivers of special children.caregivers of special children.

�The parents learn to apply the points that can

speed up recovery of their children.

�7 such camps completed, covering 146 special

children.

www.ari.org.in 35

Arts Research Institute

Why Project Vathsalya Bhavam?

� Treatment given at therapy centers twice a week, so

8 sessions in a month.8 sessions in a month.

� Experience shows that once the Basic Protocol

begins to show results, typically after 6 months of

twice-a-week treatment, increasing frequency of

treatment can bring faster improvements.

www.ari.org.in 36

Arts Research Institute

Why Project Vathsalya Bhavam ?

� If a parent is taught the specific points needed for

their child, they can apply the same twice a day, attheir child, they can apply the same twice a day, at

home. i.e. 60 sessions in a month at home.

� Twice a week expert treatment continues at center,

and child is assessed once a month by the doctor.

www.ari.org.in 37

Arts Research Institute

Project Vathsalya Bhavam – Experience so far…

� Feedback from at least a section of the parents

involved in Project Vathsalya Bhavam is veryinvolved in Project Vathsalya Bhavam is very

encouraging.

� A parent’s loving touch seems to speed up progress

made through varmam treatment; energy seems to

respond rapidly to its own kind.

www.ari.org.in 38

Arts Research Institute

Project Vathsalya Bhavam – How it works

�Only parents of children who receive regular

treatment at any TVRTC centers for at least 6treatment at any TVRTC centers for at least 6

months are selected.

�Children continue to be treated twice a week

at the center and monitored by the doctor.

www.ari.org.in 39

Arts Research Institute

Project Vathsalya Bhavam

• For more information, please visit:

http://ari.org.in/research-projects/project-vathsalya-bhavam

www.ari.org.in 40

Thank You !

Visit us at:

Arts Research Institute

Visit us at:

www.ari.org.in

www.ari.org.in 41