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 Anjali Mudra, where the hands are kept at the center of the heart.
Practicing 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 Vedas.
One hundred and eight mudras are used in regular Tantric rituals.
The Universe 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. Hand mudras regulate these five elements in our body. The
fingers representing five elements are:
Thumb finger for Fire;
Index finger for Air;
Middle finger for Ether or Space;
Ring finger for Earth;
Little finger for Water.
Types of Mudra
1. Gyan Mudra / Vaayu Vardhak Mudra
Method: This Mudra is formed by joining together the tip of the index finger
with the tip of the thumb.
Effects : Vaayu-vardhak mudra increases the vaayu (air) element within the
body. The increase of air in the body due to Vaayu-vardhak mudra reinforces
the Vaata humor.

Benefits:

Dullness of mind lack of enthusiasm-initiative-creativity

Recklessness loss of memory
Drowsiness
Mental retardation

2. Vaayu Shaamak / Vaayu Mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the index finger
on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb
upon this finger.
Effects : Vaayu-shaamak mudra decreases the air element within the body.
Benefits:
Relieves Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson's disease and paralysis
without any medicine.
Useful for Cervical Spondilytis, paralysis of the face, and pressure on
nerves in neck.

Relieves gas pressure in the stomach.

Epileptic fits (convulsions)
Giddiness
Parkinson's disease
Dizziness
Precaution: Many experienced 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 joining together the tips of the thumb
and the middle finger.

Effects: Aakaash-vardhak mudra increases the aakaash (space) element

within the body. Negative emotions like fear, anger, sorrow, etc., are
replaced by positive emotions and thoughts. The above-mentioned increase
in internal space is effected by the elimination of metabolic wastes from the

body
Benefits:
To develop intuition and extra sensory powers (ESP)
To detoxify the body by the elimination of metabolic wastes
To overcome a feeling of fullness / heaviness in the body or body-parts
To overcome discomfort caused by over-eating
To relieve congestion (and pain) in the head (due to migraine or sinusitis),

ear/s (due to infection), chest (due to infection / asthma )

High blood pressure
Irregular heart-beats

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 : Aakaash-shaamak mudra decreases the Aakaash (space) element
within the body. It can, therefore, be used to treat disorders (enlisted below)
caused by an abnormal increase of space within the body. The element
space is associated with ears.
Benefits :
Feeling of emptiness or numbness in the body or body-parts like the head,
the chest, the abdomen, etc.
Ear ailments like pain, tinnitus (noises), vertigo and acquired deafness.

5. Prithvi Vardhak / Prithvi mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the ring
finger and the thumb.

Effects: Prithvi-vardhak mudra increases the Prithvi (earth) element within

the body but decreases the Agni (fire) element within the body.
Benefits:
Hair-loss, premature greying of hair
Burning in eyes, stomach, hands, feet, head
Jaundice
Fever
Hyperthyroidism.

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: Prithvi-shaamak or Agni-vardhak mudra increases the Agni (fire)
element within the body but subdues the Prithvi (earth) element. The
element Agni (fire) is associated with body-temperature and metabolism.
Practice of Prithvi-shaamak or Surya mudra helps to maintain the bodytemperature and keeps the metabolism going and also improves vision.
Benefits:
Loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation
Absence of sweating,
Certain vision/eye problems, especially cataract.
Abnormally low body-temperature
Coldness of skin, body, limbs, hands, feet, etc.
Intolerance to cold, shivering

7. Jal Vardhak / Varun mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb
and the little finger.
Effects: Jal-vardhak (Varun) mudra increases the Jal (water) element
within the body.Almost seventy per cent of the body is water.
Benefits:

Dryness of eyes
Dryness of the digestive tract (mouth, throat and intestines)
Indigestion
Retains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body

Prevents the pain of Gastroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage

8. Jal Shaamak Mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the
little finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle
pressure of the thumb upon this finger.
Benefits:
Dropsy Excessive salivation Watery eyes
Running nose
Hyperacidity,
Diarrhoea

9. Apan Mudra
Method : Apaan mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb,
the middle finger and the ring finger.
Effects: Apaan mudra is a combination of the Aakaash-vardhak (Aakaash) and
the Prithvi-vardhak (Prithvi) mudras. Apart from an increase of elements space

and earth, Apaan mudra brings about an increase of Vaata and Kapha humors
and, therefore, a decrease of Pitta humor.
Benefits:
Regulates diabetes
Relieves constipation and piles
Helps establish regular excretion of solid waste

10.Apaan Vaayu Mudra

Method: This mudra is formed by Joining together the tips of thumb,
middle & ring Fingers and applying the tip of index finger to the base of
the Thumb.
Effects: This mudra besows triple benefits: Removal of
obstruction/blockages in & Detoxification of the Body to allow an increase
of element Aakaaash(Space) Increase of vitality due to an increase of
element Prithvi (earth). Sedation of the mind and relaxation of the
body/Muscles due to a reduction of element Vaayu(Air).
Benefits:
Strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation
Regulates excretory system
Relieves gastric issues

11. Linga 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 overproduction/ accumulation of phlegm (mucous)
in the body; such ailments include colds, sinusitis, productive (wet) cough,
sticky stools, etc.,
Asthma and other respiratory ailments that occur at the change of weather.
Precautions: ( 1 ) Overuse of Linga mudra may aggravate the Pitta humor
within the body, causing sluggishness and lethargy. (2) This mudra should not
be performed when suffering from ailments of Pitta-excess, especially fever.
12.Hakini Mudra
Method: Tips of the corresponding fingers touch each other
Benefits:
It enhance the memory power
It helps to improve concentration
It promotes calmness

 It promotes clarity of thoughts and hence improve decision making.

It also deepens the respiration, which in turn good for brain. Since more
oxygen is supplied to brain.

13.Prana Mudra
Method: Tips of ring and little finger to be joined with the tip of thumb and
the remaining should be stretched straight.
Benefits:
It is a cure for all.
Pran mudra helps to overcome chronic fatigue, general debility and low
endurance.
Pran Mudra is said to improve your immune system.
Increase self confidence and provide mental stability.
Pran mudra benefits eyes as well. It improve vision and cure eye disease
such as burning red dry eyes, cataract.
It reduces nervousness and enhances self confidence.

14.Adi Mudra
Method: Adi mudra is formed by placing the thumbs into the palms and
curls the other fingers over the thumbs.

Benefits:

Increases the vital capacity of the lungs

It helps the organs to function actively
Increases oxygen flows to the throat and head area
It quiets the nervous system

15.Lotus Mudra
Method: Bring 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 Lotus Mudra drains out misunderstanding
Helps to release tension
16.Ushas Mudra
Method: Interlace fingers at the chest or abdomen.
Benefits:
Awakens body and mind in the morning
Increases creativity and productivity

17. Anjali Mudra

Method
Bring the hands together at the palms with the fingers reaching upwards. the
hands are pressed together firmly and evenly.
Benefits
It is natural remedy for stress & anxiety.
Bringing the palms together in this mudra connects the right and left
hemisphere of the brain.
It is a useful mudra for entering into a meditive state.
The mudra respect for oneself and others.
18.Tri dosha nashak Saaman Mudra

It is also called the Mukul mudra or the Sukri mudra, this mudra balances
and co-ordinates the five elements and the three humors of the body.
Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and
all four fingers
Benefits:
Saman mudra helps in digestion improving digestive system frees body
from intestinal pain and cramps.
Saman Mudra enhances liver function.