Yoga is about more than twisting your body or performing tough asanas. There are many other old practises that can be used in Yoga. Today, we’ll discuss one of them: Mudra, an ancient technique that we use during Pranayama and Meditation.
Mudra is a Sanskrit term that means “gesture” or “attitude.” Psychic, emotional, spiritual, and artistic gestures or attitudes are all examples of mudras. Mudras were characterized by ancient yogis as energy-flowing postures meant to connect individual pranic forces with universal or cosmic force.
Significance of yoga mudra
Entirely distinct and based on the principle of Ayurveda, yoga mudras are understood as a healing modality. The Sanskrit word mudra is translated as a gesture. A mudra may involve the whole body or could be a simple hand position. Mudras used in combination with pranayamas enliven the flow of prana in the body, thereby energizing different parts of the body.
How do yoga mudra work?
According to Ayurveda, diseases are caused due to an imbalance in the body, which in turn is caused by lack or excess of any of the five elements.
Our fingers have the characteristics of these elements, and each of these five elements serves a specific and important function within the body. The fingers are essentially electrical circuits. The use of mudras adjusts the flow of energy – affecting the balance of air, fire, water, earth, ether – and facilitates healing.
Hand Mudras create a subtle connection with the instinctual patterns in the brain and influence the unconscious reflexes in these areas. The internal energy is, in turn, balanced and redirected, affecting change in the sensory organs, glands, veins, and tendons. Yoga mudras are practiced by sitting cross-legged in Vajrasana or in the Lotus Pose, or even by sitting comfortably on a chair. Ideally, Ujjayi breathing is done when practicing most mudras. Take at least twelve breaths in each yoga mudra and closely observe the flow of energy in the body.
Types of Yoga Mudras, Pranayama Benefits & How to Do
1. Chin Mudra
- Hold the thumb and index finger together lightly while extending the remaining three fingers.
- The thumb and index finger need only touch together, without exerting any pressure.
- Keep the three extended fingers as straight as possible.
- The hands can then be placed on the thighs, facing upwards.
- Now, observe the flow of breath and its effect.
Benefits of Chin Mudra
- Better retention and concentration power.
- Improves sleep pattern.
- Increases energy in the body.
- Alleviates lower backache.
2. Chinmaya Mudra
- In this mudra, the thumb and forefinger form a ring, and the three remaining fingers are curled into the palms of the hands.
- Again, the hands are placed on the thighs with palms facing upwards, and deep comfortable Ujjayi breaths are taken.
- Once more, observe the flow of breath and its effect.
Benefits of Chinmaya Mudra
- Improves the flow of energy in the body.
- Stimulates digestion.
Also Read: Excellent Yoga Poses for Knee Pain
3. Adi Mudra
- In Adi Mudra, the thumb is placed at the base of the small finger, and the remaining fingers curl over the thumb, forming a light fist.
- The palms are again placed facing upwards on the thighs and the breathing is repeated.
Benefits of Adi Mudra
- Relaxes the nervous system.
- Helps reduce snoring.
- Improves the flow of oxygen to the head.
- Increases capacity of the lungs.
4. Brahma Mudra
- Place both the hands in Adi Mudra, with the knuckles touching each other.
- Tuck the hands near the navel area with the fingers facing upwards.
- Observe the flow of breath.
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7 Healing mudras for chakra balancing
Mudras play a powerful role in maintaining the delicate balance of the chakra system. Chakras are the energy centers of the body. There are seven chakras dotted along the spine, each responsible for specific spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of our being. As a result, a blockage or malfunction in the chakra system can lead to physical, psychological, and emotional abnormalities. By manipulating energy in the body, chakra mudras can help you restore balance to your energy system and cultivate a healthier wellbeing.
As mentioned above, each of the fingers represents an element. This is the same for the first 5 chakras in the body:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Earth Element
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana) – Water Element
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – Fire Element
- Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Air Element
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Ether (Space) Element
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Light
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Thought
To balance the chakras, we balance the element in the body by performing the corresponding mudra. Here are 7 mudras for chakra healing, activation and alignment:
1. Prithvi Mudra for the Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra)
Meaning ‘earth’ in Sanskrit, Prithvi is a mudra typically performed in yoga and chakra meditation to awaken the earth element and restore balance to the Root Chakra. This grounding Root Chakra Mudra promotes stability and inner strength. Prithvi Mudra is also used in Ayurveda to purge toxins from the body and treat digestive disorders.
This Root Chakra Mudra is fairly simple to form and only requires the tips of the fingers to touch. 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.
2. Varun Mudra for the Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana Chakra)
The Varun Mudra is a popular hand gesture in meditation and pranayama that increases the water content in your body and restores balance to the Sacral Chakra. If your body does not have enough water, it cannot function properly. The Varun Mudra corrects this imbalance, hydrating the body and purifying the blood for healthier skin and strong joints. As a mudra for the Sacral Chakra, it also reduces symptoms caused by a blocked Sacral Chakra.
To perform this Sacral Chakra Mudra, open your palms and clear your mind. Then, join the tip of your little finger with the tip of your thumb. The remaining fingers will naturally curl in, but try your best to keep them straight without straining your hand.
3. Agni Mudra for the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra)
The Agni Mudra is associated with the fire element which manifests itself as heat in the body. Performing this Solar Plexus Mudra in meditation or yoga stimulates your ‘agni’ or digestive fire, which aids digestion and ignites our inner light. With your conscious mind wide awake, you’ll gain clarity on your life and boost your self-esteem.
To activate your Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra with the Agni Mudra, fold your ring finger into your palm and gently rest the base of your thumb over the top of your ring finger.
4. Vayu Mudra for the Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra)
Translating to ‘wind’ or ‘air,’ the Vayu Mudra is a powerful hand gesture that balances the air element in the body and realigns the Heart Chakra. Performing the Vayu Mudra can bolster your sense of Self and eliminate restlessness and indecisiveness. On a physical level, this powerful Heart Chakra Mudra can also remove excess air blocked in the body and ease symptoms of diseases like Sciatica and Parkinson’s, as well as knee pain.
To practice this Heart Chakra Mudra, cross your thumb over the tip of your index finger. Allow your thumb to rest here gently, ensuring that all your other fingers are extended.
Practicing Yoga helps develop the body and mind, yet is not a substitute for medicine. It is essential to learn and practice yoga online under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher.
5. Akash Mudra for the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)
The Akash Mudra, also known as Shuni Mudra, is a popular hand gesture typically used in Ayurveda to increase space in the chakra system and activate the Throat Chakra. Regular practice of this Throat Chakra Mudra can increase calcium content and manage certain health problems such as a locked jaw and high blood pressure. Mudras for the Throat Chakra can also boost your intuition and expand your consciousness.
To form the Akash Mudra, simply join the tip of your middle finger with the tip of your thumb and straighten the rest of your fingers.
6. Hakini Mudra for the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra)
The Hakini Mudra is a sacred hand gesture associated with the divine energy. Also called the mudra of the mind, practitioners use this mudra to channel prana to the Third Eye or Ajna Chakra and open one’s conscious mind. If you struggle to focus or find yourself overthinking everything, this Third Eye Mudra can improve your concentration and enhance your creativity.
To practice the Hakini Mudra, draw your fingertips and thumbs together to touch lightly in the center of your body. Imagine there is a ball of light between your hands. You can hold the pose here or raise the mudra up to the Third Eye Chakra, in the center of your forehead.
7. Dhyana Mudra for the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)
As mentioned above, the Dhyana Mudra is a concentration mudra which helps practitioners reach a deeper state of meditation. It is also used to awaken the Crown Chakra and promote inner peace.
To form this Crown Chakra Mudra, rest your right hand on top of the left, palms facing upward. Then, raise your thumbs slightly so that the tips meet in the middle.
Final Thought
Mudras are powerful tools that can deepen your focus, balance your energies within and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Incorporating these hand gestures into your online yoga sessions will also add a new dimension to your practice.
