Mudras & Our Health

Mudras work on the nerves, they are a NEURAL SCIENCE

The science of Gestures is a gift of our ancient Rishis and Munis, and even Gods have communicated each other by gestures. We can see the evidences in the walls of our ancient temples, Thus we can understand Mudra’s are also an expression, a sign language, a bodily gesture, or even a communication we can say.

The human body is an unparalleled marvel; of nature. It is perfect in all respects. It not only performs its functions as it is meant to but is also capable of:
- adapting to changed circumstances (environmental factors, loss of parts etc.)
- correcting any functional parameters that may be going out (diseases )
- repairing any defects creeping in (accidental damages) and
- taking care of any malfunctioning (ailments) of the constituent parts (organs).
In the natural course of things, all that an affected part has to do is to send a message to the master – THE BRAIN. The super computer that is beyond the wildest imagination of modern science. This BRAIN then studies / analyses the problem, determines solutions / actions required, decides what resources are necessary to meet the situation and who will provide them. It then conveys the instructions to the involved parties. All of them then come together, act in concert and provide relief / repairs to the affected part. All this is done in less time than you could say ‘WOW’
The key to efficient working of this entire system is an efficient message communication system. Time is often of essence in such situations and clarity and speed of communication of vital importance. The communication system is our nerves. Spread over the entire body, these nerves carry innumerable and infinitely complex messages without pause.
This communication system is not permitted to have defects (nervous tensions???).
This communication system is not permitted to have breakdowns (nervous breakdown???).
When a wire carrying messages gets a nick or a dent, when a message carrying frequency encounters an interference, the messages get garbled and do not come across clearly. This causes a ‘Communication Gap’. Any Communication Gap can seriously undermine the efficacy of the system and hence the cure. This is what happens between the sender and the receiver in the human body also. This prevents the correct nature of complaint reaching the brain and the correct actions reaching the various involved constituents.
Therefore it is of vital importance that the nerves stay in their natural condition and natural tension – the default tension provided by nature. The logic applying to animals and more so to humans. The farther humans go from nature, the more the tensions in their nerves go out of the default settings.

The Science behind Mudras

The physical body is made up of five elements namely - Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aakash (ether - the tiny intercellular spaces in the human body).
Imbalance of these elements disrupts the immunity system and causes disease.
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.
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.
Five Fingers for Five Elements
* Thumb Fire
* Index Air
* Middle Aakash
* Ring Earth
* Little Water

The finger tips of every living being have many concentrated nerve root endings which are free energy discharge points. Science also confirms that around every tip there is a concentration of free electrons. By touching together of the tips of the fingers or the finger tips to other parts of the palms this free energy (Prana) is redirected back into the body along specified channels, back up to the brain. The redirected energy traveling through the nerves stimulates the various chakras. Keeping the hands on the knees stimulates the Gupta Nari and makes the energy start from the Mooladhara Chakra.
Thus, the tension applied to the nerve/s and/or the neural or psycho-neural circuits formed by the mudras help in balancing the five basic elements (or building blocks). This balancing of the tension, and redirection of the internal energy effects the changes in veins, tendons, glands and sensory organs, to bring the body back to a healthy state.
Keeping specified nerves stretched for specified periods tones up of the nervous system. The fingers of each hand are held folded in certain specific postures and this provides the required tension on the nerves.
The fingers of each and every individual in the world are different in their shapes and sizes. These are determined and provided by nature as a tool to bring the nerves into prime condition when affected adversely.
Thus, they provide a different 'end tension' on the nerves when different individuals fold their fingers or the same individual folds the fingers by different methods in different Mudras. This is exactly the tension required by that individual for that particular application. Nature has already bestowed us with the tools to be used to keep us healthy.
Compare this with Acupressure where the nerves are influenced by the application of pressure on certain points or Acupuncture, where slight electrical impulses are conveyed through needles inserted in the body. The advantage in Mudras is that the pressure to be applied on the nerves is automatic and controlled by the shape and size of the fingers and not by external agencies.

Because the Mudras work on the nerves, they are a NEURAL SCIENCE.

Mudra Vigyan is also a science based on the principles of the Indian Medical Science (Ayurveda) which lays down three factors primarily responsible for the body's ills, Vata (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (Phlegm).
10 types of Vayus (Winds) circulate through the nerves of the human body and can be controlled with MUDRAS.
MUKHYA VAYUS (Main Winds)
Pran Vayu Mouth; central nose; central nabhi; heart
Apan Vayu Rectum; regenerative organs; knees; loins Stomach; waist; navel and calves
Vyan Vayu Eyes; ears; shoulders; ankles; throat
Udan Vayu Hands and feet
Saman Vayu assists other Vayus
UPVAYUS (Secondary winds)
Nag Vayu, Kurm Vayu, Kriker Vayu, Krikal or Devadutta Vayu, Dhananjaya Vayu and these winds circulate in places like the skin and bones etc.

Some Mudra's and their benefits

1. Gyan Mudra:
This is the first yoga mudra pose known as Gyan Mudra or the Mudra of Knowledge.

How to do?
Practice this mudra when doing meditations. It’s perfect when you do it early in the mornings with a fresh mind. Touch the tip of your index finger with the tip of your thumb. The other three fingers, you may keep it straight or just keep it free, doesn’t matter even if they are slightly bent. This is a very commonly used mudra when practicing meditations.
Caution:
This is a very beneficial mudra and anyone can practice this.
Benefits:
• As the name suggests, this mudra is meant to increase your concentration and memory power.
• This mudra sharpens your brain power.
• It has the ability to cure insomnia.
• Practice this mudra regularly to heal yourself of all mental and psychological disorders like anger, stress, anxiety or even depression.

2. Vayu Mudra:

How to do?
This mudra can be practiced in a standing, sitting or lying down posture. It’s easy to do. Fold your index finger. As you fold your fingers you can see two bones. These are called phalanx bones. When you have folded your index finger the second bone that you see, you have to press it with the base of your thumb just as shown in the above picture. The rest of the three fingers should be kept extended as much as possible.
Do this at any time of the day as per your convenience. There is also no compulsion of doing this at an empty stomach. You may also practice this mudra with a full stomach.

Caution:
Once you achieve the benefits from this mudra, stop doing it. After a certain time, it may cause imbalance within your system.
Benefits:
As the name suggests vaayu mudra, it balances the air element within your body. This mudra releases excess wind from stomach and body thereby reducing rheumatic and chest pain.

3. Agni Mudra (Mudra of Fire):

How to do?
Fold your ring finger and press the second phalanx with the base of your thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers straight. This mudra should be practiced only in sitting position early in the morning with an empty stomach. Maintain this mudra for atleast 15 minutes every day.
Caution:
But if you are suffering from acidity or indigestion, avoid this mudra.
Benefits:
• It helps to dissolve the extra fat boosting metabolism and controls obesity.
• Quickens digestion.
• Improves body strength.
• Reduces stress and tension.
• Controls high cholesterol levels.

4. Prithvi Mudra (Mudra of Earth):

How to do?
Touch the tip of your ring finger with the tip of your thumb. Pressing the tips of these two fingers, keep the rest of the fingers extended out.
It is preferable that you perform this mudra in the morning. However you may even do it at any time of the day and for any duration. Sit in a padmasana keeping the palms of both your hands on your knees with straight elbows. Perform this asana when you feel stressed out and exhausted. Padmasana accompanied by this mudra will immediately perk you up.
Caution:
Nothing at all. Perform this asana freely.
Benefits:
• It improves blood circulation throughout the body.
• Increases patience and tolerance.
• Increases concentration while meditating.
• Helps strengthen weak and lean bones. Also increases weight of people suffering from low weight.
• It reduces weakness, exhaustion and dullness of mind.
• This mudra makes you more beautiful by improving your complexion and giving a natural glow to your skin.

5. Varun Mudra (Mudra of Water):

This is the best yogic mudra for your outer beauty. It has a positive effect on your skin and keeps it away off all problems. A very effective yoga asana for your overall health let us learn to do this mudra with perfection.
How to do?
Lightly touch the tip of your little finger with the tip of your thumb. The rest of the fingers should be kept straight. There is no specific time to perform this mudra. You may do it at any time of the day and in any position, but sitting cross-legged when doing this mudra is preferable.
Caution:
Take care not to press the tip of the little finger near the nail. That will cause dehydration instead of balancing the water level in your body.
Benefits:
A number of benefits can be achieved by doing this mudra:
• Varun Mudra balances the water content in our body.
• It activates fluid circulation within the body keeping it moisturized always.
• It cures all skin issues like dryness, skin diseases and skin infections. Moreover it also prevents the appearance of pimples for a longer time.
• It adds a natural glow and luster to your face.
• Varun Mudra also relieves and prevents any muscle pains that you may suffer from.

6. Shunya Mudra (Mudra of emptiness):

How to do it?
Press the first phalanx of your middle finger with the thumb.
Benefits:
• Practicing this mudra with full concentration will cure earache within 5-10 minutes at the most.
• It is also very helpful if someone is deaf or mentally challenged. But those who are handicapped inborn won’t benefit from this mudra.
Cautions:
After you are cured of these diseases, stop practicing this mudra.

7. Surya Mudra (Mudra of the Sun):

How to do it?
Press your ring finger and press it with the thumb just as shown in the picture.
Benefits:
• It is quite beneficial when it comes to reducing bad cholesterol.
• Want to lose weight? This mudra comes handy.
• Reduces anxiety.
• Also improves your digestion.

8. Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life):

This is a very important mudra as it activates the energy in your body.
How to do it?
This yoga mudra pose should be accompanied along with padmasana. Bend your ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb.
There is no specific time to perform this asana. Any time of the day will be suitable.
Benefits:
• This mudra improves your immune system.
• It also increases your eye power and also cures any sort if eye diseases.
• It reduces fatigue and tiredness.
These are some very important mudras in yoga and are beneficial for your health. Practice them everyday.

9. Apan-Vayu Mudra: This finger position works like an injection in cases of a heart attack. Regular practice is an insurance in preventing heart attacks, tacho-cardia, palpitations, depressions, sinking feeling of the heart. Also known as the Mritsanjivani Mudra for arresting heart attack.

10. Aatmanjali Mudra: Helps in centering the consciousness of the mind.

11. Apan Mudra: Helps in purification of the body, urinary problems, easy secretion of excreta, regulating menstruation and painless discharge, easy child delivery, Piles, Diabetes and kidney disorders.
Caution: This Mudra should not be done by pregnant ladies before completing 8 months. After that a 10 minutes practice 3 to 4 times a day will ensure normal delivery.

12. Girivar Mudra: urinary problems, purification of body.

13. Shankh Mudra: Tone therapy, speech defects, Indigestion, loss of appetite.

14. Meao Mudra: Excellent in bringing the Blood Pressure to normal from either high or low

15. Vyana Mudra: To be alternated with Meao Mudra for High B. P. only.

16. Ling Mudra: Generates heat in the body. It destroys phlegm and helps in problems of colds, catarrh and coughs. It is excellent when the body is cold due to shortage of cover in inimical weather. This mudra must be performed under supervision or with full knowledge.

17. Surabhi Mudra or the Dhenu Mudra: Is a very effective and powerful Mudra. By itself this Mudra helps a sadhak (an aspirant practitioner) to break any barriers which he may face when on the thresh hold of samadhi (the ultimate meditation). In this Mudra the ethereal elements combine such as to magnify and multiply their powers and produce powerful results on the body. Vayu (Wind; symbolised by the first finger) meets Aakash (Ether; symbolised by the middle finger), to stabilise the chakra (the circle) of the universe. Again Prithvi (Earth; symbolised by the ring finger) meets Jal (Water; symbolised by the small finger), to produce the generative power of the universe.
With constant practice, this mudra helps to stabilise and bring in resonance the Nabhi Chakra or the circle of the navel, so essential for the ultimate elevation of the human mind and body. The mudra has 4 variations, each of which gives different results.

18. Vayu-Surabhi Mudra A variation of the basic Surabh Mudra, it helps to eliminate all ailments resulting from the increase of wind in the system.

19. Shunya Surabhi Mudra By increasing the ethereal vacuity it helps the sadhak to increase the hearing power manifold.

20. Prithvi Surabhi Mudra Helps to cure all ailments of the stomach generated due to defects in the digestive system. Specially effective for people with chronic digestive ailments.

21. Jal Surabhi Mudra This mudra helps to cure and eliminate diseases related to bile. It helps in curing diseases related to urine and assists easy passage.

22. Singhakranta Mudra Helps to regain the lost halo due to abuse of the body.

23. Mahakranta Mudra Helps to regain the lost halo due to abuse of the body.

24. Yoni Mudra Helps to overcome loss of virility, loss of Satwik Gunas ( pure qualities).

25. Kamajayi Mudra Helps to gain control over unsuppressed passion and sexual urges etc.

26. UDANA VAYU MUDRA:Touch the tips of ring, middle, & index fingers along with thumb and apply gentle pressure.
Benefits:
a). Develops lot of joy & laughter.
b). Increases lightness in the body.
c). Develops good concentration, improves knowledge & wisdom.
Perform this mudra maximum 48 minutes, minimum 12 minutes.

27. SAMANA VAYU MUDRA:
Join all the fingers together, by the coordination of the 5 elements, ie.. the pancha bhutas will balance the body system. That’s how its known as samana which means balance.

Benefits:
a). Balances the body system by balancing the 5 elements.
b). Develops good strength in the body.
c). Enhances pituitary glands & improves mind concentration.

Perform this mudra for a maximum 5 or 10 minutes, don’t do longer time as it may result in weakness.

28. MRIGI MUDRA (DEER FACE):

Touch the tip of the thumb with the middle portion of ring & middle finger, leave the index and little finger straight. The looks are like a face of a deer, that’s why its known as “mrigi’.

Benefits:

a). It cures seizures, epilepsy, and nervous weakness.
b). Removes tension & head ache due to cold or sinus.
c). Stabilizes the mind and brings happiness to your feelings.
d). To some extent helps to remove dental pain.

29. Mrigi mudra can be practiced maximum up to 30 minutes those are diseased with epilepsy.

Benefits Of Mudra's : At a Glance

• Mudra is a very exact and scientific yogic function by which one can develop or even change, one's internal and external dispositions viz. mental (anger, emotional disturbance, intelligence etc.), spiritual (concentration, meditation) or physical (in various diseases, illnesses).
• Mudras can bring miraculous mental, spiritual and physical changes and improvements in our body. They help in quickly balancing the elements of the body.
• Mudras effect changes in veins, tendons, glands and sense organs.
• Mudras need no prior preparation. They can be done (mostly but with exceptions) at any time, anywhere and under virtually any circumstances.
• They are like literal remote control switches bringing quick and effective changes.
• They help bring about permanent changes.
• A constant practice of Mudras can stop or slow down the destructive changes in the human body. It can help develop a virtuous, socially amiable, non-violent, pious and courteous disposition.
• Some of the Mudras can balance the elements of the body within 45 minutes; some react within a few seconds on the human body.
• Mudras awaken the cosmic energy and help unite the atma (soul) with the Paramatama (the cosmic soul).
• The ancients believed there were 24 diagnostic elements, the Gayatri mantra has 24 words, the Jains have 24 Tirthankaras, and Sanatan Dharma has 24 avatars. The 24 words of the Gayatri Mantra have a special relationship with 24 mudras known as GAYATRI MUDRAS. They have different names and formations. The importance of Mudras is also clear from the grim qualifier to these:

"Etaa Mudraa na jaanaati, Gaayatri nishphalaa bhaveta".
To him who does not know Mudras, Gayatri becomes ineffectual.

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 (easy pose), vajrasana, or padmasana. (See photos, L to R.) If you have constriants of time you can even perform them in installments.

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. It is not necessary to leave all your normal work for 1 hour to perform mudras as it can be done at any time, any place, and in any posture, even if you can't perform all at one stretch you can practice in 2-3 installments.