7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 1/10

MUDRA YOGA

The meaning of ‘mudra’, which is a Sanskrit word, is ‘closure’ or ‘seal’. Mudra

hand positions are physical gestures that have an effect on the energy flow of

the body. The ancient practice of yoga links the hand mudras to the changing

spiritual and mental aspects of a person. The mudras are usually finger positions

like in the Anali Mudra, where the hands are kept at the center of the heart.

!racticing the different types of mudras for health is considered good as it

 provides physical, mental, as well as spiritual benefits. Mudras, also known as

hand yoga, typically involves placing the hands and fingers in certain positions

as described in the "edas.

#ne hundred and eight mudras are used in regular Tantric rituals.

The $niverse is composed of five elements, earth, air, water, fire, and

ether. Similarly our body is also a union of five elements which is represented

 by our five fingers. %and mudras regulate these five elements in our body. The

fingers representing five elements are&

Thumb finger for 'ire(

)nde* finger for Air(

Middle finger for +ther or Space(

ing finger for +arth(

-ittle finger for ater.

Types of Mudra/. 0yan Mudra 1 "aayu "ardhak Mudra

Method: This Mudra is formed by oining together the tip of the inde* finger

with the tip of the thumb.

Effects : "aayu2vardhak mudra increases the vaayu 3air4 element within the

 body. The increase of air in the body due to "aayu2vardhak mudra reinforces

the "aata humor.

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 2/10

Benefits:

• 5ullness of mind lack of enthusiasm2initiative2creativity

• ecklessness loss of memory

• 5rowsiness

• Mental retardation

2. Vaayu Shaamak / Vaayu Mudra

Method& This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the inde* finger

on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumbupon this finger.

Effects & "aayu2shaamak mudra decreases the air element within the body.

Benefits:

• elieves heumatism, Arthritis, 0out, !arkinson6s disease and paralysis

without any medicine.

• $seful for 7ervical Spondilytis, paralysis of the face, and pressure on

nerves in neck.

• elieves gas pressure in the stomach.

• +pileptic fits 3convulsions4

• 0iddiness

• !arkinson6s disease

• 5i88iness

Precaution& Many e*perienced doctors say that the practice of this mudra

should be discontinued as soon as the disease has been overcome.

3. Aakaash Mudra / Akaash Vardhak

Method: This mudra is formed by oining together the tips of the thumb

and the middle finger.

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 3/10

Effects: Aakaash2vardhak mudra increases the aakaash 3space4 element

within the body. 9egative emotions like fear, anger, sorrow, etc., are

replaced by positive emotions and thoughts. The above2mentioned increase

in internal space is effected by the elimination of metabolic wastes from the

 body

Benefits:

• To develop intuition and e*tra sensory powers 3+S!4

• To deto*ify the body by the elimination of metabolic wastes

• To overcome a feeling of fullness 1 heaviness in the body or body2parts

• To overcome discomfort caused by over2eating

• To relieve congestion 3and pain4 in the head 3due to migraine or sinusitis4,

ear1s 3due to infection4, chest 3due to infection 1 asthma 4• %igh blood pressure

• )rregular heart2beats

4. Aakaash Shaamak / Shoonya mudra

Method& This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the middle finger

on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb

upon this finger.

Effects & Aakaash2shaamak mudra decreases the Aakaash 3space4 element

within the body. )t can, therefore, be used to treat disorders 3enlisted below4

caused by an abnormal increase of space within the body. The element

space is associated with ears.

Benefits :

•'eeling of emptiness or numbness in the body or body2parts like the head,

the chest, the abdomen, etc.

• +ar ailments like pain, tinnitus 3noises4, vertigo and ac:uired deafness.

5. Prithvi Vardhak / Prithvi mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by oining together the tips of the ring

finger and the thumb.

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 4/10

Effects: !rithvi2vardhak mudra increases the !rithvi 3earth4 element within

the body but decreases the Agni 3fire4 element within the body.

Benefits:

• %air2loss, premature greying of hair 

• ;urning in eyes, stomach, hands, feet, head• <aundice

• 'ever 

• %yperthyroidism.

6. Prithvi Shaamak / Surya mudra

Method: 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.

Effects: !rithvi2shaamak or Agni2vardhak mudra increases the Agni 3fire4

element within the body but subdues the !rithvi 3earth4 element. The

element Agni 3fire4 is associated with body2temperature and metabolism.

!ractice of !rithvi2shaamak or Surya mudra helps to maintain the body2

temperature and keeps the metabolism going and also improves vision.

Benefits:

• -oss of appetite, indigestion, constipation

• Absence of sweating,

• 7ertain vision1eye problems, especially cataract.

• Abnormally low body2temperature

• 7oldness of skin, body, limbs, hands, feet, etc.

• )ntolerance to cold, shivering

7. Jal Vardhak / Varun mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by oining together the tips of the thumb

and the little finger.

Effects: <al2vardhak 3"arun4 mudra increases the <al 3water4 element

within the body.Almost seventy per cent of the body is water.

Benefits:

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 5/10

• 5ryness of eyes

• 5ryness of the digestive tract 3mouth, throat and intestines4

• )ndigestion

• etains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body

• !revents the pain of 0astroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage

8. Jal Shaamak Mudra

Method: his mudra is !orm"d #y $rst %la&in' th" ti% o! th"

littl" $n'"r on th" #as" o! th" thum# and th"n #rin'in' '"ntl"

%r"ssur" o! th" thum# u%on this $n'"r.

Benefts:

• 5ropsy +*cessive salivation atery eyes

• unning nose

• %yperacidity,

• 5iarrhoea

=. Apan Mudra

Method : Apaan mudra is formed by oining together the tips of the thumb,

the middle finger and the ring finger.

Effects: Apaan mudra is a combination of the Aakaash2vardhak 3Aakaash4 and

the !rithvi2vardhak 3!rithvi4 mudras. Apart from an increase of elements space

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 6/10

and earth, Apaan mudra brings about an increase of "aata and >apha humors

and, therefore, a decrease of !itta humor.

Benefits:

• egulates diabetes

• elieves constipation and piles

• %elps establish regular e*cretion of solid waste

/?.Apaan "aayu Mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by <oining together the tips of thumb,

middle @ ring 'ingers and applying the tip of inde* finger to the base of

the Thumb.

Effects: This mudra besows triple benefits& emoval of

obstruction1blockages in @ 5eto*ification of the ;ody to allow an increase

of element Aakaaash3Space4 )ncrease of vitality due to an increase of

element !rithvi 3earth4. Sedation of the mind and rela*ation of the

 body1Muscles due to a reduction of element "aayu3Air4.

Benefits:

• Strengthens the heart and regulari8es palpitation

• egulates e*cretory system

• elieves gastric issues

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 7/10

((. )in'a mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by interlocking the palms but keeping the left

thumb erect, pointing upwards

Effects& The thumb represents the element fire. This fire is reinforced by

 performing the linga mudra. The fire element which resides in the thumb is

activated and is able to increase uninhibited.

Benefits:

• Shivering and chills due to intolerance of cold weather( hypothermia.

• Ailments caused by an overproduction1 accumulation of phlegm 3mucous4

in the body( such ailments include colds, sinusitis, productive 3wet4 cough,

sticky stools, etc.,

• Asthma and other respiratory ailments that occur at the change of weather.

Precautions& 3 / 4 #veruse of -inga mudra may aggravate the !itta humor

within the body, causing sluggishness and lethargy. 34 This mudra should not

 be performed when suffering from ailments of !itta2e*cess, especially fever.

/.%akini Mudra

Method: Tips of the corresponding fingers touch each other 

Benefits:

• )t enhance the memory power 

• )t helps to improve concentration

•)t promotes calmness

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 8/10

• )t promotes clarity of thoughts and hence improve decision making.

• )t also deepens the respiration, which in turn good for brain. Since more

o*ygen is supplied to brain.

/B.!rana Mudra

Method:  Tips of ring and little finger to be oined with the tip of thumb and

the remaining should be stretched straight.

Benefits:

• )t is a cure for all.

• !ran mudra helps to overcome chronic fatigue, general debility and low

endurance.

• !ran Mudra is said to improve your immune system.

• )ncrease self confidence and provide mental stability.

• !ran mudra benefits eyes as well. )t improve vision and cure eye disease

such as burning red dry eyes, cataract.

• )t reduces nervousness and enhances self confidence.

/C.Adi Mudra

Method:  Adi mudra is formed by placing the thumbs into the palms and

curls the other fingers over the thumbs.

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 9/10

Benefits:

• )ncreases the vital capacity of the lungs

• )t helps the organs to function actively

• )ncreases o*ygen flows to the throat and head area• )t :uiets the nervous system

/D.-otus Mudra

Method: ;ring the base of the palms together at the heart centre, touching

the thumbs and pinky fingers together. Spread the rest of the fingers out like

the lotus flower opening toward the sunlight.

Benefits:

• The -otus Mudra drains out misunderstanding

• %elps to release tension

/E.$shas Mudra

Method: *nt"rla&" $n'"rs at th" &h"st or abdomen.

Benefits:

•

Awakens body and mind in the morning• )ncreases creativity and productivity

/F. Anali MudraMethod

;ring the hands together at the palms with the fingers reaching upwards. the

hands are pressed together firmly and evenly.Benefits

• )t is natural remedy for stress @ an*iety.

• ;ringing the palms together in this mudra connects the right and left

hemisphere of the brain.

• )t is a useful mudra for entering into a meditive state.

• The mudra respect for oneself and others.

/G.Tri dosha nashak Saaman Mudra

7/23/2019 Mudra Yoga Print

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mudra-yoga-print 10/10

)t is also called the Mukul mudra or the Sukri mudra, this mudra balances

and co2ordinates the five elements and the three humors of the body.

Method& This mudra is formed by oining together the tips of the thumb and

all four fingersBenefits:

• Saman mudra helps in digestion improving digestive system frees body

from intestinal pain and cramps.

• Saman Mudra enhances liver function.