Mudras, or hand gestures, have been a part of yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices for centuries. They are believed to channel the flow of life force (prana) and can have a profound impact on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Here are 10 mudras, how to perform them, and their benefits:
1. Prithvi Mudra: Stability, Strength
How to Perform: With your hands pointed up to the sky, allow the tips of your ring finger and thumb to meet in the middle of your palm.
Benefits: This mudra is associated with the Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra) and is used to awaken the earth element, promoting stability, physical and inner strength. It’s also beneficial for purging toxins and treating digestive disorders 2.
2. Varun Mudra: Hydration
How to Perform: Sit in an easy pose or lie down and slightly touch the tip of the thumb with the little finger. The rest of the fingers can be left freely without any stress.
Benefits: This mudra is for water – Svadishthana chakra, and is aimed at preventing diseases related to the lack of water or dryness. It helps balance the elements related to the tongue and taste, eliminates skin diseases, increases blood flow, and reduces muscle aches 4.
3. Gyan Mudra: Knowledge
How to Perform: Gently join the tip of the thumb and the index finger, while the other three fingers are simply stretched out or free & slightly bent.
Benefits: Gyan Mudra is the gesture of knowledge or wisdom. It helps increase concentration, memory, reduces sleep disorders, releases stress and anger, eases depression, and headaches. It brings peace, calm, and spiritual progress 4. It also helps with hysteria, anger and depression.
4. Garuda Mudra
How to Perform: Cross the hands over the chest, with the thumbs intertwined at the heart and the fingers extended.
Benefits: This mudra is associated with the Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) and is used to balance emotions and reduce stress. It also helps in meditation and concentration.
5. Apana Vayu Mudra: Digestion
How to Perform: Tuck the index finger into the base of the thumb. Now connect the tips of middle and ring fingers with the thumb.
Benefits: Apana Vayu Mudra is associated with the digestive system and is believed to aid in the digestion process. It relieves lethargy and fatigue by improving the downward flow of air in the body. It also stimulates the lymphatic system and regulates blood circulation.3 15 minutes a day is recommended for high blood pressure and gas problems.
6. Prana Mudra: Vitality
How to Perform: Bend the ring and little fingers and touch their tips to the thumb.
Benefits: This mudra is for the flow of vital life force energy in our body. It helps with weakness, reduces clamps in blood vessels and increases immunity. It improves the power of the eyes and helps with eye related ailments. It also removes fatigue and helps with vitamin deficiencies.
7. Vayu Mudra: The Sacred Wind
How to Perform: Tuck the index finger into the base of the thumb.
Benefits: This mudra activates the Anahata chakra. It works on the air element and heals diseases caused due to lack of circulation in the body, like rheumatism, arthritis, gout, parkinson’s, and paralysis. It is also helpful in cervical spondilytis, paralysis of face and catching nerve in neck. It helps with gastric issues. Ideally, practice it for 45 minutes for two months to see results with chronic ailments.
8. Surya Mudra
How to Perform: Tuck the ring finger into the center of the palm and press over it with the thumb.
Benefits: This mudra suppresses the earth element and reduces heaviness and sluggishness. It activates the fire element and the Manipura chakra, enhancing digestion and facilitating weight loss. It activates the thyroid gland, reduces cholesterol and helps reduce anxiety.
9. Shoonya Mudra
How to Perform: Tuck the middle finger into the mount of Venus and press over it with the thumb.
Benefits: This mudra suppresses the air element in the body, helping to heal issues caused due to too much circulation. It helps with hearing disorders, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, overthinking and improves grounding. Spiritually, it helps with awakening and adds power to mantra chanting.
The Book Healing Through the Elements discusses mudras from the perspective of the five elements. It discusses how each element impacts our lives and what we can do to reduce or enhance these effects.
Author: Ashwita Goel learned meditation as a child and has practiced energy healing for 27 years. She has helped thousands of people overcome phobias, trauma, limiting beliefs, find confidence, enhance performance and improve their relationships through online sessions.
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