Mudras

The word "Mudra" means energy seal. These mudras are physical actions that directly effect universal energy / pranic energy within the body. These are used in three fields :

1. Dance (to express the feelings and emotions)
2. Rituals (in performing certain worships)
3. Hatha yoga (to help in stabilizing the mind)

According to the science of mudra, the 5 fingers of the hand represent to the 5 natural elements. There are

• The thumb finger indicates Fire / Agni
• The index finger indicates Air / Vayu
• The middle finger indicates Space / Akash
• The ring finger indicates Earth / Prithvi
• The little finger indicates Water / Jal

Imbalance of these elements disorders the immunity system and it causes disease. These natural elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another through mudras. So, continuous practice of the mudras will create minute changes in the body using pulse centers on parts of the hands, which trigger certain healing processes within the corresponding body part. Therefore, as a result the disease caused by the imbalance is cured.

Things to remember, before doing mudras :

1. The first 5 mudras can do in vajrasana (Chair may be used to people who cannot sit on the floor) and other mudras can be practiced at all times while sitting, lying, standing, walking and even talking.
2. Keep your back up right position with your eyes closed.
3. Keep both hands on your thighs with palms facing up/ down.
4. Try to do mudras using with both hands.
5. Mudra can be practice for 5 minutes each. For best results, can do for 30 to 45 minutes.
6. While doing, have a smile on your face.
7. Ensure hands should be kept closely with your body without gap like a garland.
8. Initially, start breathing(In and out) with 7 cycles and follow expansion and contraction of your body. while regular practice can do 9 to 12 cycles.
9. Breathing should be smooth, continuous and relaxing.

Some of the important mudras are discussed below :
Chin Mudra (Gesture of Consciousness) : Place the thumb nail in to the index nail. Letting the rest of the fingers are extended. The hands are placed palms facing down on the thighs while sitting in Diamond pose / Vajrasana. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 4:3:6:3 ratio (Inhale : 4, keeping air inside : 3, Exhale : 6, Keeping belly empty without air : 3). Repeat this cycle for 7 times.
Advantages :

• It makes prana flow in the pelvis and in the legs
• Reduces headache 
• Removes the congestion
• If you practice regularly, anger will go down
• It controls the infatuation
• Reduces mentally stressed out in the evening as too many thoughts in the mind
• Keeps the mind in balance
• Reduces the ego

Chin Mudra

Chinmaya Mudra (Gesture of Awareness) : Curling the fingers down into the palm, forming a fist, then pressing the tip of the index finger to the tip of the thumb, with the middle finger touching the non-folded part of the index finger and palms facing down. This mudra can be practice in a Diamond pose / Vajrasana. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 4:3:6:3 ratio (Inhalation : 4, keeping air inside : 3, Exhalation : 6, Keeping belly empty without air : 3). Repeat this cycle for 7 times.
Advantages : 

• It supplies life energy to torso (belly button to throat)

Chinmaya Mudra

Adi Mudra (Gesture of primal/ first) : Make a light fist with the hands by curling the 4 fingers around the thumb finger. The hands are placed palms facing down on the thighs while sitting in Diamond pose / Vajrasana. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 4:3:6:3 ratio (Inhale : 4, keeping air inside : 3, Exhale : 6, Keeping belly empty without air : 3). Repeat this cycle for 7 times.

Advantages :

• 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

Adi Mudra

Meru Dhanda Mudra (Gesture of spinal cord) : Thumb straight like thumbs up and other fingers folded touching the centre of the palm. Sit erect in vajrasana and keeping face calm and relax. Sit in a comfortable Diamond pose. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 4:3:6:3 ratio (Inhale : 4, keeping air inside : 3, Exhale : 6, Keeping belly empty without air : 3). Repeat this cycle for 7 times.
Advantages :

• All spinal problems will cure
• Sympathetic nervous system controls all the organs
• The entire system is energized and stress level gets to zero

Meru Dhanda Mudra

Poorna Mudra (Gesture of spiritual) : The fingers wrapped around the thumbs and the knuckles of both hands pressed together. The hands are then lightly pressed against the pubic bone. Sit in a comfortable Diamond pose. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 4:3:6:3 ratio (Inhale : 4, keeping air inside : 3, Exhale : 6, Keeping belly empty without air : 3). Repeat this cycle for 7 times.

Advantages :

• Helps to stimulate a full breathe
• In this mudra, the life force occurs to the whole body

Poorna Mudra

Douthi : 

1. Sit in a Vajrasana with back straight 
2. Blow the air forcefully to empty the stomach and simultaneously bend forward until forehead reaches the floor. (Some people may not touch the ground, but it's fine do as much as you can).
3.  After breathe out, can hold the breathe for 3 to 4 sec and come back to centre while breathe in. 
4. Repeat this process for 9 times

Note: It can only practice, after finishing above the mudras.

Gyan Mudra (Gesture of Knowledge) : Join the tip of index and thumb fingers, with the other three fingers together and stretched out. This is similar to chin mudra. In gyan mudra, palms facing upwards and in chin mudra facing downwards.
Duration : Can practice it at anytime.

Advantages : 

• Enhances concentration. 
• Prevents insomnia. 
• Sharpens the brain.
• Increases memory power
• Cures all psychological disorders like mental, hysteria, anger and depression

Gyan Mudra

Prana Mudra (Gesture of Life) : Join the tip of thumb with the tip of little and ring fingers. Keeping other 2 fingers straight.

Duration : Practice it anytime.

Advantages : 

• Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases
• Helps in pumping the life energy into the body
• Improves immunity
• Reduces the clamps in blood vessels.
• Removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue

Prana Mudra

Apana Mudra (Gesture of Digestion) : Bend the middle and ring fingers and press with the thumb finger. while the other 2 fingers are extended.
Duration : Can practice up to 45 minutes.

Advantages :

• Helps to excreting the normal waste regularly
• Regulates diabetes
• Helps when urine is obstructed, reduces constipation and piles

Apana Mudra

Surya Mudra (Gesture of Sun) : Bend the ring finger and press it with the thumb finger.
Duration : Practice it for 5 to 15 minutes.

Advantages :

• Reduces anxiety
• Corrects indigestion problems
• Reduces weight of your body
• Reduces cholesterol in the body
• It sharpens the centre in thyroid glands

Surya Mudra

Apana Vayu Mudra or Hridaya Mudra (Gesture of Heart) : Bend the middle and ring finger and press with the thumb finger and other 2 fingers are extended.
Duration : Heart and HBP patients should practice 15 to 20 minutes daily for best results.

Advantages : 

• Regulates excretory system
• It redeems gastric trouble
• Strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation

Apana Vayu Mudra

Linga Mudra (Gesture of Heat and Energy) : Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically extended and encircle it with the thumb and index finger of the right hand.
Duration : Can be practiced 5 to 10 minutes. If overly practiced, can cause sweating. Those who are suffering with very cool body. This mudra can help.
Advantages : 

• Cures severe cold, cough and bronchial infection
• Invigorates the body
• It generates heat in the body
• Stops production of phlegm and gives power of lungs

Linga Mudra

Vayu Mudra (Gesture of Air) : Keep the index finger on the base of the corresponding thumb finger and press it with thumb. Keeping rest of the fingers together.

Duration : practice regularly 30 to 45 minutes. For best results, practice 2 to 3 months.

Advantages :

• It is useful for cervical spondilytis, paralysis to face and catching of nerve in neck
• Reduces body pains, joint pains and joint swelling
• It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach
• Cures gout, rheumatism, arthritis, parkinsons disease and paralysis without any medicine
• It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of the air

Vayu Mudra

Shunya Mudra (Gesture of Emptiness) : Press the middle finger on the base of the thumb. keep the other 3 fingers stretched.
Duration : Can practice up to 30 minutes regularly until the disease is cured.

Advantages :

• Reduces head rotation
• Reduces the dullness in the body
• Useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones
• Relieves an earache within 4 to 5 minutes

Shunya Mudra

Prithvi Mudra (Gesture of Earth) : Tip of the ring touches the tip of the thumb, with the other 3 fingers together and straight.
Duration : Practice it anytime.

Advantages :

• Reduces skin diseases and makes the skin to glow
• Reduces all physical weakness
• Increase the weight for weak people
• Makes the body active by keeping it healthy
• Increases the spirituality inside of the mind

Prithvi Mudra

Varuna Mudra (Gesture of water) : Tip of the little finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the rest of three fingers stretched out.
Duration : can practice at anytime.

Advantages :

• It balances the water content
• It prevents all diseases which come due to lack of water
• Reduces skin allergies
• Retains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body
• Prevents the pains of gastroenteritis and muscle shrinkage
• Gives freshness to the body

Varuna Mudra

Healing Touch Therapy : 

• Hand and Leg are the organs of your body have their sensory touches, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains.

Duration : can practice at anytime.

Hand

Legs

Note : After practicing mudras, can press these points for more beneficial.