Essential Mudras to elevate life

As you know by now that Yoga is not merely excercise. If done properly, it's an opprtunity to receive the cosmic energy and connect to the infinite. for a long time, yogis are using different kinds of mudras during meditation. They help to channelize the energy flow. Here are 10 important mudras to guide you.

According to the ancient wisdom, our five fingers represent the five elements.

Thumb : Fire/ AgniWant to add a caption to this image? Click the Settings icon.

Index Finger: Air / Vayu

Middle Finger : Ether/ Akash

Ring Finger : Earth/ Prithvi

Pinky Finger : Water/ Apas

Some commonly used Mudras are:

Gyan/Jnana/Wisdom/Knowledge Mudra

Gyan MudrasThis is the Mudra of wisdom and knowledge. The individual consciousness (microcosm or Atman) is represented by the first finger, while the thumb symbolizes higher consciousness (macrocosm/Brahman). The ultimate goal of a practitioner, the union of the self with the cosmic supreme being, is embodied in this mudra.

Directions

Touch the tip of the thumb to the index or first finger only.

The other three fingers should be straight.

There are two ways to perform this Mudra- active and passive.

In the passive version, the tips of the thumb and index finger touch together.

In the active variation, the index finger is folded under the thumb such that the fingernail is on the second joint of the thumb.

Place each hand on the knees with palms of both hands facing either upwards (Chin Mudra) or downwards (Gyan Mudra)

Benefits

Improvement in concentration

Lowers negativity

Enhances memory

Relieves us from headache, hypertension, insomnia, and anger

Diminishes stress and anxiety

Prevents insomnia

Treats mental disorders like depression

Develops telepathic and clairvoyant abilities and Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

For better results, it is advisable to do the Prana Mudra after doing the Gyan Mudra.

Chin Mudra/ Mudra for Consciousness

Chin MudrasThis is one of the most common mudras used in meditation. It is exactly like the Gyan Mudra except that the palms are facing upwards. Chin Mudra clears the mind and calms the senses.

It also promotes concentration and eases mental tension. It can be used to cure insomnia, high blood pressure, and depression.

Directions

Touch the tip of your index finger to the thumb.

The other three fingers can be kept straight or relaxed. They can even be bent.

The index finger and the thumb only need to touch each other without exerting any pressure.

Hands should then be placed on the thighs, facing upwards.

Benefits

Increases energy in the body

Lowers back pain

Redirects “Prana” or energy flow

Enhances memory and stimulates the Mooladhara Chakra

Better retention, improvement in concentration

Improves sleeping patterns

Vishnu Mudra/Hand Gesture of Lord Vishnu

Vishnu MudraThis is a common hand gesture used to alternate breathing through the nostrils. It is used for Nadi Shodhana pranayama. (also called Anuloma Viloma or Alternate Nostril Breathing. )

Directions

Index and middle finger are turned down towards the palm.

The thumb is used for closing the right nostril and the last two fingers are used for closing off the left nostril (this is for people who are right handed. For left handed persons it would be the opposite). Less movement is needed to close each side during pranayama.

Benefits

Clears and balances the mind

Removes toxins from the body

Varuna Mudra/Water Mudra

Water MudrasThis balances the water element in the body. It also prevents diseases due to lack of water. It has no specific time duration and can be practised as per your convenience. But those with asthma or respiratory disease should do this mudra only for a short while.

Directions

The tip of the little finger should touch the tip of the thumb.

The other three fingers should be stretched out straight.

Benefits

Retains good viscosity of blood by balancing water content in the body

Prevents gastroenteritis related stomach pain

Stops muscle shrinkage

Removes impurities from the blood

Restores moisture to the skin and prevents dryness

Prevents painful cramps

Good for combating diarrhea, constipation or indigestion

Revives one and lowers fatigue

Skin diseases and acne are cured

Surya Mudra/Mudra of the Sun

Surya MudraThis Mudra is excellent for activating the thyroid gland. It should be practiced twice in a day for 5-15 minutes.

Directions

Touch the tip of the ring finger to the base of the thumb.

Now exert pressure on the finger with the thumb.

Do not hold this posture for long in hot weather

Weak people with low immunity should not perform this hand posture

Benefits.

Removes various imbalances.

Reduces weight and prevents obesity

Increases body height and helps in digestion

Reduces hypertension

Lessens cholesterol

Builds strength

Cures diabetes

Treats liver defects

Reduces anxiety

Relieves depression

Ling Mudra/ Mudra for Heat

Ling mudra imageThis Mudra can be practiced for 20-30 minutes daily. It is perfect for increasing heat in the body. Raise your intake of milk, water, fruit and fruit juices as well as clarified butter if performing this Hasta Mudra regularly.

Directions

Interlock the fingers of both the hands together.

Keep the left thumb up encircled by the right thumb and index finger

The left thumb should be vertically straight and right thumb should be around it

Put a little pressure on the left thumb.

Benefits

Increases heat in the body, good for winter

Cures cold, cough, asthma, coryza, sinus, and low blood pressure

Dries Phlegm and strengthens lungs

Improves digestion and relieves bronchial infections

Invigorates the body

Anjali Mudra

This hand posture is commonly used during the opening and closing practice of yoga and other postures as well. Anjali, in Sanskrit means, “to offer” or “to salute”, and the term mudra means “seal”.

Directions

Position the hands in prayer

Instead of pressing hands together, however, a small bud needs to be formed by fingers

This small space symbolizes greater understanding and opening of hearts

Benefits

Connects the left hemisphere of the brain with the right

Connects the practitioner with spiritual knowledge

Promotes respect for self and others

Akash Mudra

Akash-MudraThis mudra is also famously known as the Aakash-vardhak mudra. The Aakash mudra increases the Aakash element (space) within the body.

Directions

Ensure that the tip of the middle finger touches the top of the thumb and the remaining fingers are kept at ease, but straight.

Benefits

Develops telepathy

Detoxifies the body

Activates the throat chakra

Purifies thoughts and emotions

Benefits the heart

Hridaya Mudra

Hridaya MudrasDirections

The middle and ring fingers are joined to the thumb.

The index is placed at the base of the thumb.

The little finger is kept straight.

Benefits

Good for the heart, strengthens cardiovascular vitality

Diverts flow of prana from hand to heart centre

Restores emotional balance and alleviates headaches

Ganesh Mudra/Mudra to remove all obstacles

Ganesha-MudraDirections

Clasp the hands in front of your chest and apply pressure as you pull on both hands outwards.

Benefits

Lowers depression and lack of confidence

Opens the bronchial tubes

Improves blood circulation

Opens up the heart chakra to love, compassion, and courage

Yoni Mudra/ Mudra for the Womb

Yoni MudraDirections

Clasp fingers inside the palm and press the index fingers together.

Press the thumbs together

Hold at the level of the abdomen and point the fingers downwards and the thumbs in towards you.

Benefits

Enhances female reproductive system

Heals sensory organs

Kali Mudra

kali mudraKali represents purification and transformation.

Directions

Interlink the fingers and thumb together in front of the chest

Extend the index fingers and press the pads of the palm generally against each other in an upward direction

Benefits

Improves digestion

Vayu Mudra/Mudra of Air

vayu mudraThrough the practice of this Mudra, air-related diseases like Sciatica and Gout are eliminated.

Directions

Touch the tip of the index or first finger to the base of the thumb

The thumb comes over the finger exerting a slight pressure on the finger.

Remaining fingers have to remain straight

Benefits

Cures knee pain

Removes air related afflictions

Benefits neck and spinal pain

Helps in management of arthritis and Parkinson’s disease

Prithvi Mudra or Mudra of the Earth

Earth MudraUse this Mudra to regain bodily stability and combat obesity and body weakness.

Directions

The tips of the thumb and the ring finger touch each other.

The other fingers remain straight

Benefits

Eliminates thinness or obesity

Gives energy to the body

Reduces deficiency of vitamins

Improves functioning of the digestive system

Shoonya Mudra/ Mudra of Emptiness

Shunya MudraDirections

Tip of the middle finger is placed at the base of the thumb.

The thumb comes over the finger, exerting slight pressure.

The other three fingers are kept straight.

Benefits

Strengthens bones and gums

Reduces ear pain and watering of ears

Prana Mudra/ The Mudra of Life

Prana-Mudra-Directions

The tips of the thumb, ring finger and little finger touch each other.

The other two fingers are kept straight.

Benefits

It reduces hunger pangs

It removes tiredness and promotes energy and health

It cures insomnia

Increases immunity and improves breathing

Good for improving eyesight.

Enhances concentration

Padma Mudra

Lotus mudraDirections

Taking the position of the Anjali Mudra, keep the tips of the little fingers and thumbs together as well as the base of the palms

Ring, middle and index fingers are wide apart for forming the lotus shape

Sense the energy rising upwards.