Mudras: The Healing Power in your Hands

SPEAKING TREE

Simple hand movements to overcome any ailments!

Wikipedia defines Mudra as a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions and traditions of Dharma and Taoism. If you are wondering how a simple hand gesture can hold such powerful powers, get ready for a surprise. Read on to know about the science behind hand mudras…

It is all about the 5 elements

The Universe is composed of five elements, earth, air, water, fire, and ether. Similarly our body is also a union of five elements which is represented by our five fingers. Imbalance of these elements disrupts the immunity system and causes disease. Hand mudras regulate these five elements in our body. Deficiencies in any of these elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another in a particular manner through Mudras.

How do Mudras work?

When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Therefore the disease caused by the imbalance is cured. Mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health. The joining of fingers creates an effect on the human body.

Which finger represents which element?

The fingers representing five elements are: The Thumb for Fire; Rhe Index (Jupiter finger) for Air; The Middle (Saturn finger) for Ether or Space; The Ring (Sun finger) for Earth; The smallest (Mercury finger) for Water.

The various types of mudras

There are hundreds of mudras, some for health, some for wellbeing, some for creating certain other kinds of processes. For different aspects of life there are different mudras. Take a look at some of the most popular and effective mudras…

Gyan Mudra

Gyan Mudra is by far the most common mudra used by practicing yogis and depicted by wise sages and avatars in a meditative state. In the case of this particular mudra, the index finger is approximated gently to the tip of the thumb. Apply enough pressure to feel the energy flow between the fingers. Advantages of Gyan Mudra includes - attainment intelligence and wisdom, purification of mind, eradication of mental illness, creation of joy, help with addictive habits.

Shoonya Mudra

Keep your middle fingers at the root of your thumbs and press it with thumb. Then keep both your hands on folded knees so that the palms face upwards. Put a little pressure on your palm and rest of the hand would be relaxed. Practice it for 20-30 minutes every day. This hastamudra is helpful for health problems like deafness, vomiting, vertigo and thyroid problems.

Apaan Mudra

This important mudra is formed by joining together the tips of thumb, middle & ring fingers and applying the tip of index finger to the base of the Thumb. One of the most important benefits of the Apaan Mudra is its ability to purify the body. It also helps the body get rid of unwanted toxins and is also helpful in dealing with constipation, flatulence and absence of sweat. It is also said to be useful during childbirth.

Prana Mudra

Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched. As it is the mudra of life, it improves the quality of life by increasing strength. It removes free radicals from blood and is beneficial for removing eye and nerves related problems. It energises the body and balances vitamins in the body.

Vayu Mudra

Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with thumb keeping the other three fingers straight. It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of the air. This mudra is also helpful for stress, anxiety, irritability,lack of concentration, nervousness, indecisiveness, impatience, restlessness, Sleeplessness etc.

Prithvi Mudra

When the tips of the ring finger and the thumb are joined and rests of the fingers are kept straight, Prithvi Mudra is formed. It increases the Prithvi element in the body. At the same time it decreases the Agni element within our body. It can also be called Agni-shaamak Mudra. This mudra makes you feel physically and psychologically stronger. Use it when you need inner stability and self assurance.

Varun Mudra

Popularly known as Varun mudra, this mudra increases the jal (water) element within the body. This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and the little finger. It is useful in disorders such as anemiaanemia (low hemoglobin) and skin diseases. It also improves the deteriorated quality of the blood due to shortage of water.

Surya Mudra

This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the ring finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. This amounts to suppression of element earth (residing in the ring finger) by element fire (residing in the thumb). This mudra helps reduce cholesterol and assists in weight loss and maintaining a healthy balanced weight. It helps reduce anxiety, and improves indigestion problems.

Ling Mudra

Interlock the fingers of both hands together. Keeping the left thumb up (encircled by right thumb and index finger) i.e. left thumb should be vertically straight and right thumb around it. This mudra helps strengthen the lungs and can assist in the relief of phlegm. As a result of the intense heat produced by this mudra it can help break fever and colds and has also been known to assist with bronchial infections.

Chin Mudra

This Gesture has a grounding effect on the mind. You would have probably seen yogis holding their thumb and pointer finger together and extending their remaining 3 fingers out. This is Chin Mudra. This Mudra is a remedy for improving mental tension and promoting memory and concentration. It can help with insomnia, depression and high blood pressure. It is the symbol of unity and peace.

Adi Mudra

To do this mudra, all you have to do is curl your hand into a fist. Remember to wrap your Adi mudra fingers around your thumb. Place your hands with the palms facing downwards on your legs while in padmasana. This mudra is believed to increase the flow of oxygen to the lungs, calm the nervous system, increase vitality and helps the organs function optimally.

Brahma Mudra

This mudra is known as the gesture of all pervading consciousness. To do this mudra, curl the fingers of both your hands around your thumbs, so that it forms a fist. Now press the knuckles of both the hands together. While pressing gently place your hands in the centre of your abdomen just above your pubic bone. This mudra helps to increase the amount of oxygen taken in by the lungs.

Chinmaya Mudra

Join the tips of the index fingers and thumbs as in chin mudra and then curl the other three fingers into the palms. The four folded fingers represent the finite aspects of the world around us. The closed fist shows that the phenomenal world seems to be severely limited, blind and unconscious.

How to perform hand mudras

Mudras in general are actions of hands and fingers that can be performed at any time in any way, like sitting, standing, walking or travelling. So there's no need to devote a special time to perform a mudra, but the maximum benefit is by doing it in sitting posture, especially in sukhasana, vajrasana, or padmasana.

Timing and duration for mudras

In the initial phase mudras should be performed for at least 10 minutes and then can be extended to 30 minutes to 1 hour. In each yoga mudra take at least twelve breaths and closely observe the flow of prana. Feel where the breath is flowing and gently energizing and mind.