‘Mudra’ is a Sanskrit term that means ‘gesture.’ Mudras in yoga were characterised by ancient yogis as energy-flowing postures meant to connect individual pranic energy with universal energy. Mudras are a set of subtle hands gestures or bodily motions that can change one’s emotion, mindset, or experience. Thus, helps to increase focus and alertness.
A mudra in yoga can be a simple hand position or it can encompass the entire body in a mix of Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, and visualisation methods. Mudras are higher rituals that help the pranas, chakras, and Kundalini to awaken.
It restores pranic equilibrium within the koshas and allows subtle energy to be directed to the upper chakras, resulting in a higher state of awareness. Each yogic mudra establishes a distinct relationship and has a distinct influence on the body, mind, and prana.
Illness arises from an imbalance in the body, which is produced by a shortage or excess of any of the following five basic elements of our existence such as air, water, fire, earth, and space.
Each of these five components has a particular and crucial job within the body, and our fingers have the qualities of each of them. When a finger representing one of the elements makes contact with the thumb, that element is balanced. As a result, the imbalance-caused sickness is treated.
Mudras in yoga are meant to modify energy flow, changing the equilibrium of air, fire, water, earth, and ether, thus facilitating healing and health restoration.
Five fingers and their association with the basic element of our existence:
- Thumb Finger – Fire (Agni)
- Index Finger – Air (Vayu)
- Middle Finger (Akash) – Space/ Sky
- Ring Finger: Earth (Prithvi)
- Little Finger – Water (aapah)
Mudras in yoga and their relevance:
Mudra Jnana/Gyan (Psychic gesture of Knowledge)
This is one of the most fundamental mudras in yoga for increasing attention and knowledge.
Sit comfortably in a meditation pose such as Padmasana or Sukhasana. Your index fingers should be folded such that they touch the inner root of your thumbs. Straighten each hand’s remaining three fingers so that they are relaxed and slightly apart. Now, with the palms facing down, place the hands on the knees. Hands and arms should be relaxed.
Mudra of the Chin (Psychic gesture of consciousness)
Chin mudra is similar to Gyan mudra, with the exception that the palms of both hands face upwards and the backs of the hands lay on the knees.
This Mudra aids in the treatment of sleeplessness and enhances attention and memory. All psychological illnesses such as anger, sadness, tension, and anxiety can be eliminated with regular practice of this mudra. Furthermore, it improves sleep patterns, promotes physical vitality, and relieves lower back pain.
Vayu Mudra: bend the index finger at the base of your thumb and press that finger down lightly with the thumb. All wind-related problems caused by the imbalance of the air element in the body such as pains in the knees, back pain, joint pains, etc are cured. Strengthens the beat of the heart, keeps diseases away from the lungs. Prevents arthritis, sciatica, and gas-related problems.
Aakash Mudra: Bending the middle finger, place the thumb on it. This mudra cures all the problems related to the ether elements. The ether or sky element is present in our throat area. All throat-related problems such as thyroid imbalances, tonsils, neck pain, pain in the ears, etc can be cured with the practice of this mudra. Increases the power of speech, makes the voice sweet and pleasant.
Surya Mudra: Bend the ring finger and hold it down with the thumb. This mudra is related to the fire element. With the practice of this mudra, all the health problems such as gas constipation, acidity, indigestion, cholesterol, etc are removed. Digestion power is strengthened and increases appetite. This mudra helps to increase the weight of the thin and weak, and helps to reduce fat in the overweight person.
Prithvi Mudra: Bringing the ring finger and thumb together makes the earth mudra. This mudra is very useful for those suffering from diabetes, removes the weakness, makes the body sturdy, and helps to reduce weight.
Varun Mudra: This is also known as water mudra. In this mudra, lightly touch the tip of the little finger with the tip of the thumb and keep the other fingers straight. This mudra in the yoga lifestyle, balances the water element in the body, bringing radiance to the body. Removes the skin diseases and keeps the wrinkles away. Keep the heat balance in the body.
Miyo Mudra: Bending the ring and middle finger, keep the other finger straight. This mudra is very good for curing blood pressure, whether high or low, both are balanced with this mudra.
Praan Mudra: Bringing the ring finger and little finger together, touch the middle finger slightly with the thumb, keeping all the fingers straight. This is prana mudra. This mudra in yoga is very useful for the eyes. Weakness of the eyes is removed, strengthening them. Further, it helps to increase the sense of self-esteem within an individual. With the continuous practice of this mudra, the disciple can stay for a long period without food or water.
Hridaya Mudra: In this mudra, the index finger is completely folded, keeping the little finger straight, bring the middle and ring finger in contact with the thumb. Very good mudra to practice for people with heart problems. This mudra can save one’s life at the time of a heart attack. Holding it for just a few seconds one can ease away a heart attack. This mudra also helps in balancing the air element.
Apaan Mudra: Slightly touch the tip of the middle and ring finger with the thumb to come into the apaan mudra. This mudra removes all the impurities of the body. Very useful for the women during the menstrual cycle, especially those who suffer from painful periods. It might also prove beneficial for pregnant women to have painless delivery but they should practice this mudra only after the eight-month and not before that. Can be practiced for 10 minutes three to four times a day by expecting mothers. This mudra also cures kidney problems.
Byaan Mudra: Bringing the tip of the first finger and middle finger into contact with the thumb, and holding it with a slight pressure makes the byaan mudra. This mudra is good only for those suffering from high blood pressure.
Ling Mudra: Interlock your fingers keeping only the left thumb up. This mudra creates great heat in the body and so should be practiced during winters only. The practice of this mudra immediately removes the cold and cough problems.
Shankh Mudra: Wrap the fingers of the left hand around your right thumb and bring the hands into the shape of a shank or a conch. Corrects any disorders of the throat. Removes arthritis and joint pain.
Samaan Vayu Mudra: This mudra brings a balance in your feelings and emotions. Builds up the courage and makes the mind peaceful. This mudra in yoga is done by making a fist with both your hands and holding them together, elbows out by the sides.
Bhairav Mudra: Place the left palm over the right palm and we are in the bhairavi mudra.
This mudra is very beneficial for meditation.
Photo by Evelina Zhu
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