It is claimed that experienced Kalari warriors could disable or kill their opponents by merely striking the correct "marmam" (vital point) on their opponent's body. This technique is taught only to the most promising and level-headed students so as to discourage misuse of the technique. "Marmashastram" stresses on the knowledge of marmam and is also used for marma treatment ("marmachikitsa"). This system of marma treatment originated from Ayurveda, as well as Siddha medicine. Critics of Kalaripayattu have pointed out that the application of marmam techniques against neutral outsiders has not always produced verifiable results.