Yoga Mudra | HealthyLife

Image: Mudra sculptures displayed in New Delhi International Airport

Yoga mudra and the five vital elements of the body have a close relationship. The Mudras can be used to balance the five vital elements of the body, which are water, earth, ether, air, and fire. Any deficiency or excess of each element can cause a disorder and imbalance in the mind and body.

Our five fingers represent five elements of the body.events fire, the index finger represents air, the middle finger represents ether, the ring finger represents earth, and the little finger represents water.

Five Fingers for Five Elements

* Thumb                      Fire

* Index                         Air

* Middle                       Aakash (Eather)

* Ring                           Earth

* Little                          Water

• Can be practiced at all times while sitting, lying, standing, walking or even talking.
• For good results should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously. Can be practiced for 4-5 minutes also at one time.
• If a mudra cannot be made in both hands, you may do it in one hand only

Mudras for Benefits:

1. Gyan Mudra :

This Mudra is formed by joining together the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb.

Benefit: Effective in cases of mental ailment, imparts happiness, the intellect develops, memory is sharpened.

2. Shoonya Mudra :

Press the middle finger on the base of the thumb and keep the thumb on middle finger. Keep the other three fingers straight

Benefit: Relief in diseases and pains relating to the ear.

3. Apaan Mudra :

Join the tip of the thumb with the tip of middle and ring finger, keeping the other finger straight.

Benefit: Helps in clearing the body by elimination of waste matter from the mouth, eyes, ears, nose etc. Helps when urine is obstructed, reduces constipation.

4. Prana Mudra :

Join the tip of the thumb with tip of little and ring finger. Keeping other two fingers straight.

Benefit: Helps in pumping the life force into your body. Beneficial for all types of diseases. Imparts special power to the eyes.

5. Vayu Mudra:

This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the index finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger.

Benefit: Helps in diseases like arthritis, trembling in Parkinson’s disease. Better results obtained if practices after Prana mudra.

6. Prithvi Mudra (Prithvi vardhak):

Join the tip of the thumb and ring finger.

Benefit: Makes body sturdy. One experiences happiness.

7. Jal Shamak Mudra

This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the little finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger.

Benefit: Reduces edema (water-retention) &, dropsy, excessive salivation, watery eyes, running nose.

8. Varun Mudra (Jal Vardhak):

This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and the little finger.

Benefit: It increases the water content in the body (helps in hydration), reduces dryness. People who have edema should not perform this Mudra.

9. Surya Mudra (Prithvi Shaamak)

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). The earth element thus suppressed, fire is able to rage unopposed.

Benefit: Reduces weight of your body, controlling obesity, reduces the symptoms of loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation.

10. Linga 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.

Benefit: Produces heat in the body and helps in curing cold and cough.

11. Akasha Mudra

This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and the middle finger.

Benefit: Helps -to develop noble & elevated thoughts, To develop intuition and extra sensory powers (ESP), To detoxify the body by the elimination of metabolic wastes (through exhaled air, sweat, urine and stools), To overcome a feeling of fullness / heaviness in the body or body-parts.

12. Ganesha Mudra

Position the left hand with the palm facing outwards in such a way that your thumb points towards your solar plexus and your little finger points towards your collar bone. Form a claw by bending the four fingers of your left hand and clasp them with the four fingers of your right hand. In this position, your right palm should be facing towards your chest. Repeat this.

Benefit: The benefits of the Ganesha Mudra extend to the cardiac muscles, the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms. It also helps to release any pent up tension from the shoulders and chest.

13. Shankh Mudra:

Raise both your arms in front of your chest. Wrap all four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. Bring the tips of your right thumb and left middle finger together. The other fingers off your left hand should be parallel to the middle finger. Your hands will form a shape like a conch shell, which is where the Shankh Mudra gets its name from.

Benefit: One of the most important benefits of the Shankh Mudra is the positive effect that it has on the respiratory system. It also helps to calm and center the mind.

Image: Delhi Airport, Yoga mudra statues- www.healthylife.werindia.com