Yoga Mudras are specific hand gestures created to facilitate the flow of energy, Prana, in the body, and mind for optimal health.
‘Mudra’ is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘hand gesture’. Many Hindu and Buddhist rituals and various dance forms use mudras to convey deeper meaning.
You may have heard of Yoga poses asanas and breathwork , pranayama, but did you know Yoga Mudras or hand gestures are also part of Vedic healing practice?
Yoga is an ancient practice that has been transforming lives for centuries now; we all know Yoga as a science of challenging physical poses called ‘Asanas‘ and breathing techniques called ‘Pranayama’ performed to keep the physical and mental bodies fit.
But wait, there is a lot more to it. Mudras are also part of Yoga’s healing power.
BUT, HOW DO YOGA MUDRAS WORK?
Yoga Mudra is the science of altering or redirecting energy flow in the entire body using hand gestures through acupuncture meridians, bringing our energy body to perfect alignment or balance.
Since hands contain all the acupuncture meridians they are considered to be the control panel of the body. The five fingers in a hand represent the five elements, Pancha Mahabhutas, of the body namely fire, water, air, sky, and earth.
According to Ayurveda, these energies are required to be in harmony for the body to be at its peak health and equilibrium.
The word “mudra” is derived from the Sanskrit words muda and dra, bliss dissolving, meaning that which dissolves duality and brings union between the Yogi and the Divine.
When we move our fingers and hands in a specific manner, either we bend, press, cross, extend or touch our fingers with other fingers, we are actually altering the flow of energy, prana, through these acupuncture points, which in turn, influence and stimulate specific areas of the brain and helps in bringing an elemental balance in the body.
This stimulation leads to experiences of well-being.
THE HEALING POWER OF YOGA MUDRA
Mudras have been used for thousands of years though many people may not be familiar with the word ‘mudras’, yet they make deeply meaningful hand gestures every day.
Think of the salutation gesture with both hands joined together called ‘Namaste’ that we practice daily to express gratitude; it is nothing but the ‘Anjali Mudra’ made with both hands, the right and the left.
Though healing is contingent on the kind of disease one has, a chronic one of course needs more time to come back to health.
Sometimes the situation is such that one cannot perform physical poses/Yoga asanas either because you aren’t well or are recovering from some injury/surgery, or in case you are traveling and not having enough space to do physical poses.
Yoga mudras can be used as a preventive measure as well. Consistent practice can definitely lead to overall well being.
By forming a specific mudra with our, hands, eyes, and finger position, we are able to move into states of transcendental consciousness.
HOW ARE YOGA MUDRAS PERFORMED?
You can practice Mudras in combination with meditation and breathing techniques to guide the flow of energy through the body. It requires time to become sensitive about the impact of these mudras.
To bring practicing, sit in any comfortable meditation position either in Sukhasana (easy pose), Vajrasana (diamond pose), or Padmasana (lotus pose).
Feel free to sit on a chair with your back straight if you are not comfortable sitting on the floor.
It is vital to prepare your hands before performing these mudras to experience the sensations.
It is ideally advised to sit in a calm and quiet place, free from distractions. Keeping the eyes closed increases the healing power and helps witness the sensations that arise.
The first step is to rub your hands for a good 20 to 30 seconds to get the circulation going. You will feel warmth rising out of your hands from the friction, indicating activation of all the nerve endings in the hands, stimulating each cell linked to various organs.
Place your hands onto your lap with palms facing up; in the serene and quietness of nature, try to quiet your thoughts to feel the tingling or pulsating sensations in your hands and your body. Stay in this position for at least 15 seconds.
Then press your fingers in particular patterns to perform various mudras and apply enough pressure to feel the energy flow. Be gentle, less is more. Remember you cannot go wrong and harm yourself.
THE MOST POTENT HEALING MUDRAS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE BODY
Our energy body to a great extent controls our physical body. The disease occurs due to an imbalance in energy in the various organs; mudras can help balance these energy levels/prana. Performing yoga mudras can be a powerful tool for healing.
1. Gyan Mudra
This is one of the most extensively used mudras by yogis and the easiest to do. This mudra can be done anytime, and is usually performed with pranayamas and meditation.
HOW TO DO GYANA OR CHIN MUDRA
Put your hands on your lap, palms facing upward. Join the tip of your thumb with that of the index finger, stretch out the other three fingers on each hand and hold that position.
BENEFITS OF PERFORMING GYANA OR CHIN MUDRA
- Improves concentration and enhances learning
- Helps to manage insomnia
- Eases tension and improves positive feelings
- Helps in depression
- Improves brain health and focus
- Good in relieving headaches
- Good for managing diabetes with medicines and diet
2. Vayu Mudra
As the name says this mudra helps to balance the air element in the body.
The air element is associated with the Vata dosha, this mudra is excellent for vata body types and helps in relieving different types of pains like arthritis, sciatica.
HOW TO DO VAYU MUDRA
Fold your index finger and touch the second phalanx bone with the tip of your thumb. Apply gentle pressure so that the tip of index finger should touch the base of the thumb. Straighten the other three fingers and keep them activated.
BENEFITS OF VAYU MUDRA
- Eliminates excess air/gas, bloating from the body
- Helps in easing constipation
- Helps with relief from cervical spondylosis
- Relieves discomfort from arthritis, gout, parkinson’s disease and paralysis
- Relieves chest pain
- Provides immunity against cold and cough
- Works great for brittle, dry hair due to Vata Dosha
3. Surya Mudra
This is a very powerful mudra, the fire element is associated with the heat or metabolic functions in the body.
Practicing this mudra helps to maintain the right body temperature and boosts metabolism. This mudra increases the fire element and reduces the earth or Kapha element.
It is also called as ‘Agni Vardhak Mudra’ the mudra that increases Pitta fire or ‘Prithvi shamak Mudra’, the mudra that decreases Kapha Earth.
You should avoid this mudra or practice in moderation if you are suffering from indigestion or acidity.
HOW TO PERFORM SURYA MUDRA
Bend your ring finger inward, placing the tip of it at the base of the thumb and touch the second phalanx bone with the thumb and press a little. Stretch out the other three fingers.
BENEFITS OF SURYA MUDRA
- Helps in reducing the bad cholesterol
- Dissolves extra fat and promotes weight loss
- Improves metabolism and enhances strength
- Improves digestion
- Enhances discipline and ambition
- Imparts Tejas or lustre to the skin
Note: Practice this mudra on an empty stomach and in sitting position.
4. Prana Mudra
his mudra helps in balancing life element in the body.
Whenever you are feeling exhausted and tired and you need that extra boost of energy, this mudra can get you a long way.
It helps with almost all of the diseases including cancer (if practiced regularly) and strengthens the eyesight and vision (not only as eyesight but also helps to have a clear vision of life).
This powerful mudra works on increasing the vitality and life force and brings hope, enthusiasm and joy to the life.
HOW TO DO PRANA MUDRA
Touch the tip of ring and little finger with the tip of the thumb and keep the other two fingers (index and middle) extended
BENEFITS OF PRACTICING PRANA MUDRA
- Strengthens the immune system
- Improve the flow of vital forces in the body
- Good for high blood pressure
- Sharpens the vision, improves eyesight
- Helps in proper blood circulation in body
- Relieves mental tension, anger, restlessness, frustration
- Soothes the digestion, relieves burning in stomach
5. Prithvi Vardhak Mudra
As the name says this mudra increases the earth element in the body and decreases the fire element. Earth element is a vital component of nails, hair, skin, bones, and muscles in the body.
Regular practice of Prithvi mudra can help repairing the tissues in the body and gives strength to the bones.
HOW TO DO PRITHVI MUDRA
Just join the tips of the ring finger and the thumb and keep the other three fingers straight and active.
BENEFITS OF PRACTICING PRITHVI MUDRA
- Good for any kind of skin diseases and rashes like urticaria
- Strengthens the tissues in the body including brittle nails
- Helps with premature graying, hairfall
- Promotes weight gain
- Helps to overcome fatigue, and during convalescence
- Gives strength to the bones and helpful in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Arthritis
THE DURATION FOR PERFORMING MUDRAS
Whichever mudra you wish to perform, it takes at least 30 seconds to trigger the sensations. Mudras should be held at least for 2 minutes to notice results in calming, soothing or activating the body.
Mudras can be held for as long as one can, up to 45 minutes in a day’s time.
CONCLUSION
This was all about the Yoga Mudras and various benefits one can derive by performing them. It also gives us the idea that we can be the master of our own health and make it better with the abundantly rich ayurvedic system of medicine.