While watching sports, movies, cultural activities or listening to speeches, we express our emotions by clapping or laughing. Similarly, we express our grief by crying, tears in our eyes or other actions. Can we clap in sadness? The answer is certainly, no?
Why do we tend to clap? When we are happy, our body releases hormones such as Dopamine, serotonin, Oxytocin and endorphins, which motivates us to clap. What will happen when we clap without considering these situations? — You will be surprised to know. According to Hindu Shastra and Yogic science, the hands are vital energetic and therapeutic tools which are closely related to Marma Therapy and Mudras. In Marma Therapy, hands contain specific Marma points where nerves, veins, muscle, bones and joints intersect and act as conduits for Prana (life force). It describes key hand points such as Tal Hridaya Marma (located at the centre of the Palm) which works for Heart and Lungs. Other key hand points are Kurcha Marma and Mani bandha Marma, situated at the base of the palm and wrist respectively and are responsible for the flow of prana, bone and reproductive organs. Stimulating these points, known as Marma Chikitsa, helps to activate the related organs and helps to get rid of the problems and diseases.
Historical evidence indicates that acupuncture and acupressure have been practiced in China for more than 3000 years and subsequently spread to Europe and America from the Sixteenth to Nineteenth Century (Zhang, Yu-Huan 2013). An alternate theory posits that acupressure originated in India around 560 BC during the Buddhist Era and was taught at Nalanda University and Takshila and later transmitted to China by a Buddhist Monk (Tembhurnikar S.M. April21).
There is many acupressure points in the hands related to different organs in the body. Clapping helps to activate these energy centres and helps to gear up body organs, parts, bones and tissues. It also helps our body to fight different diseases. So, keep on clapping – Be Happy and Be Healthy.