Mudras - Your Health is in Your Hands

A ‘Mudra’ is a hand posture or hand yoga. The tip of your fingers has its nerve root ends, that discharge energy to a specific part of your brain. So, when you do a specific ‘mudra' by touching the tip of your fingers together in a specific manner, you guide the flow of energy to the brain and back into your body through specified nerve channels. This process activates and stimulates your nerves and revitalizes you.

Your body is combination of five elements in nature, namely, earth, water, fire, air and space (ether). In Sanskrit they are called Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu and Aakash.

The five fingers of your hands are representatives of these five elements.

Thumb            = Fire

Index finger    = Air

Middle finger = Space

Ring finger     = Earth

Little finger    = Water

You will enjoy optimal health as long these elements are perfectly balanced in your body. Whenever there is imbalance in any one of the elements, your immune system weakens and your body becomes susceptible to diseases.

Any increase or decrease in any one of the elements can lead to diseases. For example, increase in the ‘air’ element, can cause gas, leading to pain in your body. Increase in fire, can cause acidity and heartburn. Increase in space can cause ear ache, chest pain etc. Increase in water can cause water retention and bloating and increase in earth element can joint pains, sinuses and weaken digestive system.

In the same way, decrease in the body elements will also create health problems. This is where ‘Mudras’ come in. You can restore the balance between each of your body elements and stay healthy by using your fingers. When you touch each finger of an element with your thumb, you trigger a series of electromagnetic current inside your body that cures the imbalances and set the body fluids flowing once again. 

Given below are the different types of mudras in yoga. 

Note : All Mudras should be done with both hands. Apply light pressure when you touch the tips of your fingers. Ideally, practice any Mudras by sitting cross-legged or in a chair. For good, visible results, practice the mudras consistently for at least 3 to 6 months daily.

Gyan Mudra - 'Gyan' in Sanskrit means 'knowledge'. So, obviously, this Mudra is excellent in developing your intellect, sharpening your memory and enhancing concentration. Regular practice of this mudra is very effective in curing mental disorders, insomnia, anger, depression and anxiety, as it improves blood flow to the brain and energizes the neurons in the brain. Practice this mudra anytime, for as long as you want.

Prithvi Mudra - 'Prithvi' in Sanskrit means 'earth'. This mudra restores the balance between ‘Agni’ and ‘Prithvi’ which is important to strengthen your body and remove fatigue. It alleviates prejudices and promotes happiness, patience and tolerance. It is especially beneficial for those who have vitamin and calcium deficiency.

Varuna Mudra - ‘Varuna’ in Sanskrit is ‘Water’. It restores water content in your body and prevents any water related ailments. As a result, this Mudra helps blood purification, restores moisture to your sking, enhances your beauty and provides relief from aches and cramps. This Mudra can be practiced anytime and as long as you want. 

Vayu Mudra – ‘Vayu’ in Sanskrit is Air. Therefore, it is great to alleviate gas / air from your body and provide quick relief. Regular practice of this Mudra for ½ hour in a day, for at least two months, will be very effective in ridding flatulence and sense of bloating. This Mudra is also effective in curing Parkinson’s and arthritis. Practice vayu mudra coupled with prana mudra for better results.

Shunya Mudra – ‘Shunya’ in Sanskrit is ‘emptiness’ or ‘zero’, which is the 'space' element in your body. This Mudra is extremely effective in curing earaches, deafness and other ear related issues. It also helps in impaired hearing, vertigo, nausea and travel sickness. This Mudra triggers electro shock neurons in your body, that may help people with neurological disorders. Practice this Mudra for over 1/2 hour everyday until you are free from your ailment.

Surya Mudra – “Surya’ in Sanskrit is ‘Sun’. As the sun is the giver of energy and light to all living beings on earth, it helps you to get revitalized. Hence, it alleviates tensions, stress, dullness and fills you with cheer and vitality. This Mudra is also very effective in bringing down cholesterol, excess weight, thyroid and digestive disorders.Practice this Mudra for about 15 minutes every day.

Prana Mudra – ‘Prana’ in Sanskrit is ‘life force’. So, this Mudra activates your dormant energy and revitalizes it. It removes fatigue and rejuvenates you with energy. It also strengthens your immunity. This Mudra is especially useful for improving your eyesight and resolving any eye related issues. Practice this Mudra for over 15 minutes daily to improve your vision and cure insomnia.

Apana Mudra – ‘Apana’ in Sanskrit is ‘force’ which is quite similar to ‘prana’. This Mudra is powerful to combat chronic problems of diabetes, urinary obstruction, piles, constipation and kidney issues. It helps expel waste matter and toxins from your body easily. Additionally, it infuses confidence and energy inside you.

 

Apana Vayu Mudra – This Mudra is combination of ‘apana’ and ‘vayu’ mudra. It is an extremely effective Mudra for your heart, even when you are having a heart attack. It is as effective as ‘sorbitrate’ tablet that is used by a heart patient in case of chest pain and breathlessness. This mudra balances all the five elements of nature present in your body and purifies your blood. Regular practice of this mudra for over ½ hour daily, thrice a day, for long periods, can cure angina, regulate high blood pressure, weak pulse and palpitation. It is also effective in relieving acidity, gas and other digestive issues.

Mushti Mudra – ‘Mushti’ in Sanskrit is ‘Fist’. This mudra is great in alleviating depression, by infusing confidence and courage inside you. It strengthens your liver, which is an important organ of your body and heals digestive issues, constipation and tension.

                                                                 

Linga Mudra – ‘Linga’ in Sanskrit is ‘male creative energy’ or ‘phallus’. This mudra creates heat inside your body, improves immunity and provides relief from sinus and chronic chest infections. It is also very effective in weight loss. Therefore, you will have to take in plenty of juices and water to cool your system.

Disclaimer -  The information for this post was taken from several sources. As a result, it should be used for general health and should not be used in self-diagnosis. If you have any medical issue, please consult your doctor first before using this information to treat yourself.