Basic Yoga Mudra and their benefits

Five Fingers for Five Elements

* Thumb
Fire
* Index
Air
* Middle
Space
* Ring
Earth
* Little
Water

1. Gyan Mudra: Gesture of Knowledge

Simply join the tip of the thumb and the forefinger to form a circle. Leave the other fingers
joined and extended outwards, with the middle finger remains unfolded on the forefinger. This
mudra should be performed with both hands and the palms facing upwards. This mudra should
be done for long time duration as compared to other mudras that is 10-15 minutes.
This is the most basic yoga mudra that stands for knowledge and concentration. You will have
to do this mudra in the morning while being seated in padmasana. This mudra improves
concentration, cures insomnia and helps you to manage anger problems. This mudra represents
the union between man and the divine. This mudra increases our grasping power and sharpens
our memory.

2. Agni Mudra: Gesture of Fire

First bend your ring finger so that you can touch the base of the thumb and press it with the
thumb on the second phalanx keeping the other fingers straight. This mudra should be
performed with both hands and palms facing in upward direction.
This mudra symbolizes our inner fire which works great in preventing and curing many digestive
disorders. It also helps to get rid of our excess body fat and lowers our laziness quotient. It is
beneficial for diabetics and people with cholesterol too. This mudra is for balancing the 'fire'
element of the body. You can do this mudra only on empty stomach early in the morning. This
is the weight loss mudra; it helps to burn fats and also speeds up the process of digestion.

3. Vayu Mudra: Gesture of Air

First bend your index finger at the base of the thumb and press with your thumb on the second
phalanx, keeping the other fingers straight. This mudra should be performed with both hands
and the palms facing in upward direction.

This mudra is for balancing the 'air' element of your body. This mudra can be done while
sitting, standing or lying down at any time of the day. It helps to release the excess air from the
body reducing chest pain due to gas.

4. Shunya Mudra (Akash Mudra): Gesture of Space

First join the tip of the thumb and the middle finger to form a circle, keeping the other fingers
straight. It has to be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.
This mudra balances our space element in the body. It helps our body in achieving the other
energies inside our body. The zero or 'shunya' mudra is especially for your ears. This hand
gesture helps to reduce earaches and also helps people who are going deaf due to age or
disease.

5. Prithvi Mudra: Gesture of Earth

Just join the tip of the thumb and the ring finger as to form a circle, keeping the other fingers
straight. It is same as agni mudra but the only difference here is to form the circle. This mudra
should be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.
This Mudra helps in balancing the Earth element of universe within the body. It also re-charges
the root chakra aligning it with the earth energies. This mudra creates an immense energy in
our body. It centralizes our soul energy which makes us more powerful. People losing energy in
an faster rate or the person who feels dizzy all the time should practice this mudra daily for five
minutes. The benefits of this mudra are that it improves blood circulation, increases patience
and also helps to strengthen your bones and muscles.

6. Varun Mudra (Jal Mudra): Gesture of Water

First join the tip of the thumb and little finger as to form a circle keeping the other fingers
straight. It has to be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.
Jal mudra balances the water element in our body. It restores the fluid balance treating the
dryness (dry skin, dry mouth, and dry eyes) and other disorders of kidneys and bladder. This
mudra is for enhancing your beauty. It makes your skin glow because it makes the fluids in your
body flow and keeps your skin moisturised.

7. Pran Mudra:
This mudra should be executed while sitting in a comfortable position (in Sukhasana) focusing
mainly on the breathing system. Allow the tips of the little finger and ring finger to touch the tip
of the thumb and leave the other fingers straight. Keep both hands and palms facing upward
direction.
This mudra symbolizes the life force. By doing this mudra the dormant energetic power of life is
awakened. It also develops health and activity in the body. It enhances the immunity power,
strengthens and rejuvenates the body.
This is the mudra of 'life' that can be done at any point of time during the day. This yoga gesture
improves your immune system, increases the sharpness of your vision and helps you to feel
energetic by fighting fatigue.

8. Surya Mudra:
Surya mudra basically commemorates the energy of the sun. You must do it early in the
morning to harness the sun's energy.

9. Ling Mudra:
This mudra imitates the symbol of the male phallus and that is why it is supposed to produce
heat in the body. This mudra increases your libido and helps to get rid of cold related health
problems.

10. Apaan Mudra: Gesture of the vital air Apana

Apana, means air that runs in our body.
The tip of thumb, ring and middle finger should be joined first while making the forefinger
touching the base of the thumb and the little finger straight. This mudra should be executed
with both hands and the palms facing upward.
This mudra is also called of gesture of the heart for its influence upon the heart and blood
pressure. It reduces the gas content of our body.
This is a very versatile mudra that benefits almost every one. . This mudra energizes and helps
in governing all forms of elimination and reproduction of our body. The apaan mudra cleanses

your body of toxic water. It helps to deal with urinary problems and also makes bowel
movements regular

11. Matangi Mudra Gesture of the Goddess Matangi:

Join the hands first at stomach height, palms touching each other and fingers facing in
upward direction. Entwine your right hand fingers with those of the left except the
middle fingers that remains straight and joined.
This matangi mudra helps in energizing the body and soul developing our harmony.