“Varmakkalai” is an ancient technique of Tamilians, which explains the culture of Tamils. Kudamuni Agastheiya was the first to have learned Varmakkalai directly from Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathy and Lord Muruga. The sacred art of Varmakkalai is guarded by Lord Hanuman, as "Varmappettagam" is given to him by Lord Shiva.
Varmam speaks of circulatory system of physic; as treatment it was used of repair blood-blockades in body. As a self-guarding method it teaches of impairing blood circulatory system. Recent studies explore much about the circulatory systems its importance. But, Tamil Varmakkalai explained everything well-in advance. Varma Aasans are not so common in society these days. Aasan is one who teaches varmakkalai.
Varmakkalai was trained in gurukulam method, wherein students were made to say with Aasan. The Students were selected very strictly trained, and the training methods fragmented as Adavu Varisai; Varmakkalai was taught through various stages of Adavu Varisai.
In those days sages were the preferred students of varmakkalai. They adopted to varma both for treating the needy and for protecting themselves from any unforeseen circumstances rising on their way to forest for meditation. Before training, students were tuned with good intentions. Initial stages of Adavu training bring this along with physical fitness.
Kung-Fu is a martial art of China. Basically, Chinese are the founders of it and it is famous all over the world. But it is evident that varmakkalai was the base for kung-fu’s evolvement. In the year 522 B.C disciple of Gowthama Buddha, sage Bodhi Dharma who was previously known as Dharma Pallava, brother to the ruling King Mahendera Pallava of Kanjeepuram in South India, visited China. He visited to propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha, his articulation capacity attracted everybody even the King Liyang-nutty visited Bodhi Dharma for his blessings, surrendering himself with the sage. He freely offered place for him to conduct classes of Varmam and Adavuvarisai exercises to people to which Bodhi Dharma denied.
The disappointed king was once trapped in an accident and was in a temporary coma. Hearing this through somebody Bodhi Dharma visited him. He assessed proper treatment through Naadi and executed it. This made the King awake, and with gratitude King Liyang-nutty built a temple at shang-shan mount which was the first of such temples built to preach teaching of Buddha.
Varmakkalai was taught as an art to protect one-selves from unforeseen circumstances. It was through various Adavu Varisais on the basis of health and mental strength of students, varma attacks are centrifugal in making blood-blockades in vein. Medical study details extend of damage to body resulting out-of blockades at various points. But this vital vein joining points are aimed for attacks in varma, for making blood-blockades. Circulatory arrests initially cause numbness and make the victim faint, and if this is left untreated for more than one hour, death is certain. Acute respiratory disturbances, partial paralysis, unbearable sprain-like pain are said to be instant effects of Varma attacks.
For attacking purpose vital vein points are targeted at, and those points are named as:-
Each of the above points are giving different types of effects on body, if attacked. And in some case of accidents, if the above varma points are disturbed, immediate treatment is advised essential, failing which would result in death.
Varmakkalai is very effective for treatment purposes. Patients with uneasy breathing, back pain, sudden numbness, disc problem etc, can be treated. Varma curing is aimed at removal of blood-blockades. Varma Aasan can easily treat patients on reading the pulse. If Varma Aasan is very well trained in nokkuvarmam, he could assess needed cure instantly on the very appearance of the patient. Nokkuvarmam is taught to build internal ability of students. Meditation is part and partial of this method.