Mudras
What is Mudra ?
Simple Yoga posture done to channelize the energy flow in our body
By doing, one can treat most common disease and discomforts in physical body.
Regular practice of mudras will contribute to overall good health and can be used as a preventive measure.
Benefits of Mudra Practice
Easy to do
Works equivalent to many yogaasana postures
Cost effective self healing method
Helps in regular breathing & meditation practice
Certain mudras can bring in life style changes
Wish fulfilling (goal achievers) mudra can help you be focused & get the goal
Types of Mudra
There are different types of Mudra, Here we are going to discuss and work based on Hasta Mudra (Hand Postures).
There are more than 200 types of mudras for
Therapy
Wish fulfilling
Spiritual
When to practice?
Anytime throughout the day you can practice mudra, unless its specified in the note.
Major Therapies are focused on
Five elements system
Pancha Vayu
Upavayu
Three doshas
Endocrine System
Mudras based on 5 elements, pancha bhoota (basic components) from which all objects & entities are made
Pruthvi Mudra
Vayu Mudra
Agni/Surya Mudra
Akasha Mudra
Varuna Mudra
Mudra – 1
Every minute there are so many chemical changes happening in our body, as a result there are so much of waste
products left in our body, which are eliminated through
Urine
Motion/Stools
Sweat
Breath
Steps:
Extend all fingers, bend the thumb & touch the base of the ring finger. Keep other fingers straight.
Posture: Padmasana, Arthapadmasana
Duration: 10-15 minutes per day
Do this for 14 days to remove toxins from body, remove negative thoughts from mind & purifies body/mind
Note: From 2nd/3rd day, when toxins are excreted, you may experience mild loose motion, mild nausea, increased
amounts of urine, sweating & thirst. This will disappear within a week.
Mudra – 2 (Anjali Mudra)
Anjali in Sanskrit means “Divine offering”. The name given to Hindu/Buddhist greeting by joined palms. Namaste, I
salute/obey you. In Anjali Mudra, right side is Negative (Shakti – Dynamism), left side is Positive (Shivam – Static). Closed
circuit with palms joined.
Prana is contained in the body, other cannot draw
2 hemispheres (left & right) have different functions. At any time, one of the hemisphere dominates. In Anjali mudra,
both sides are connected for better efficiency.
Steps: Join the palms together. 3 variations:
Close to heart – Think of people you love, salute/thank them
Close to forehead – Think of teachers, gurus, salute/thank them
Above the head – Think of almighty, salute/thank Him
Effects: Negative energies or external disturbances cannot enter (mesmerism, hypnotism, vasheeyam)
Anjali mudra is a sign of Humbleness, Obedience, Surrender, Ego destruction, 1st step towards Jnana
Panchabhootas should be in balance. Excess or deficiency leads to diseases. Each finger is associated with one of the
panchabhoota.
Thumb : Fire, Index : Air, Middle: Space/Akasha, Ring: Pruthvi, Little : Water
Vayu Mudra: Connect tips of index & thumb fingers with other finger stretched out straight. Without food/water, we
can live for 3-7 weeks, but without air, we lose consciousness in 8-12 minutes. This mudra fixes imbalance in physical &
mental body.
Benefits: Air element is balanced. Catching muscle pains disappear. Pains in back, next & joints disappear. Indigestion is
cured. Belching is reduced.
Akasha Mudra: Cosmic energy, Space, Sound & Emptiness. Connect the middle finger with thumb & all other fingers
stretched out straight.
Benefits: Hearing becomes sharper, heals ear diseases, strengthens bones, controls heart diseases, removes sense of
emptiness, destroys ego.
General Instructions for all Mudras: Minimum 8 to Max 24 minutes.
Posture: neck & back straight, sit on ground or chair
Age: Min 7+ years
Pruthvi Mudra: Represents physical body. Connect ring finger & thumb, rest of fingers stretched out
Benefits: Body & mind becomes stronger, dizziness & unsteadiness vanish, restlessness of body & mind disappear
Balanced body temperature, decreased Sinusitis & Chronic cold, Improved digestion, decreased body weight, steadiness
in life, improved Patience, Concentration & self confidence
Varuna Mudra
Benefits: Cools body, reduction in skin dryness, shinier skin, skin diseases are cured, excess thirst reduction, improves
circulation, wrinkles disappear, youthful look
When not to do this: Immediately after bath, after getting drenched in rain
When to do minimal: low body temperature, sinusitis, winter & rainy days
Surya Mudra: Bend ring finger & press with thumb, other fingers stretched out.
Benefits: Body temperature raises, stronger body, burns excess fat, stimulates thyroid, mental stress reduction,
decreased body weight. Good for hypothyroidism, high cholesterol & obesity
When not to do: Hyperthyroidism, Fever, low stamina. Avoid longer duration of this mudra in summer
Jnana Mudra: Connect index finger & thumb, rest of the fingers relaxed
Benefits: Memory boost, cures insomnia, develops creativity, enhances spirituality & mental peace, regulates air flow in
body, stabilizes mind
Samana Vayu/ Sankalpa/ Shukari mudra: Connect all fingers with thumb. Should be hollow inside.
Posture: Padmasana/Sukhasana Duration: 8~48 minutes/day
Benefits: Apana vAyu is stimulated, Balanced panchabhootas & dasha vAyus, stronger body, energized brain, evil
protection, sankalpas fulfilled
Pankaja mudra: Keep both hands together. Connect thumbs & little fingers, other fingers spread out & slightly bent
facing each other.
Posture: Padmasana/Sukhasana Duration: 8~48 minutes/day
Benefits: Strengthens nervous system & spine, cures back/neck pain, corrects blood flow – removes blockages, reduces
fever, dissolves abdominal tumours, purifies mind/thoughts, beautifies body, produces Tejas
Veertag Mudra: Keep left hand near umbilicus, palm facing upward, keep right hand over that. Thumbs should touch
each other. No pressure
Posture: Padmasana/Sukhasana Duration: 8~48 minutes/day
Benefits: Prana raises upward, body/mind/energy are connected for equilibrium state, evolved spirit, fades attachments
