The practice of Yoga is recently gaining popularity, and it is good to know why! Western conventional medicine suggests regular yoga practice, because this can increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the relaxing mode of your organism.
Reducing stress is one of the most important yoga benefits! Depression, memory problems, anxiety and concentration can all be taken care of by yoga practice.
First of all, you need to know that yoga is not about just acrobatic poses and flexing your body, it is really about breathing right, meditation and about simplicity of gestures that increase the overall awareness and connection of the body and the brain.
The following eight mudras described within the article can be a powerful therapy. Many can be done anytime, whether as a part of your yoga exercise, or when you don’t have much time.
Let’s define what mudras are…
What if I tell you that your health is literally in your hands? Mudras are actually hand and finger gestures usually exercised during meditation and pranayama. Pranayama are breathing exercises. Mudras can have an impact on the whole organism.
Yoga tradition tells that mudras are directing the body’s energy flow while stimulating different brain parts. Health maintenance and aliments improvement are included too. Each finger is said to be connected to one natural element: fire, air, water, earth and ether (space).
8 Yoga Mudras for Health Improvement
· Gyan Mudra – Knowledge Mudra
This mudra helps with knowledge increase and memory improvement as well as concentration, the pituitary and endocrine glands stimulation and insomnia relief.
This mudra is done during meditation. Touch the tips of both the thumb and the index finger, while stretching the rest of the fingers.
This mudra can be done any time, however morning might be the best timing. You can practice it sitting, standing or lying down.
· Vayu Mudra – Air Mudra
This one can be of benefits for people dealing with chronic rheumatic conditions like arthritis, gout, Parkinson’s disease, cervical spondylitis and paralysis. What it does is releasing the surplus of air from the stomach.
Phalanges are the three bones of every finger (thumb has only two). Fold the index finger, and touch the base of the thumb with the distal phalanx (the one close to the fingertip). The thumb is over the index finger, creating small pressure. Stretch the other fingers.
This mudra can also be practiced anytime during the day, regardless of the meals before. To get pain relief, do it on a regular basis for almost an hour. When you feel the results, you can stop practicing it because its continuous practice can lead to body imbalance.
· Prithvi Mudra – Earth Mudra
This mudra helps with stress and exhaustion, improving blood circulation and weakness reduction and digestion tract health.
Touch the tip of the thumb and the tip of the ring finger. Press them while the other fingers are as stretched as possible.
The morning is the best part of the day for this mudra, but you shouldn’t limit it just to it.
· Agni Mudra – Fire Mudra
Also called Surya Mudra, or the Sun Mudra, this one stimulates the work of thyroid, helping with weight issues, digestion and anxiety.
Press the base of your thumb with the ring finger bended, on its second phalanx. Keep the other fingers extended.
Do this mudra in the mornings, before having your first meal and do it while sitting. Keep it 5-15 minutes, for two times a day. Make sure you don’t overdo it when the weather is hot.
· Varun Mudra – Mudra of Water
Regulation of body fluids and helping skin health is the purpose of this mudra.
Use the tips of the little finger and the thumb, and touch them lightly. Keep the other fingers straight.
Make sure you don’t touch the nail because this can result in dehydration. If you have respiratory tract problems, avoid this mudra. You can do it any time of the day, but make sure you are sitting.
· Shunya Mudra – Emptiness Mudra
This mudra helps with hearing problems and aches in the ears.
Place the thumb over the bended middle finger and press the bone close to the tip of your middle finger with the base of the thumb. Keep the other fingers as straight as you can.
Concentration is really important for the practice of this posture. When you see the results, stop doing the posture.
· Prana Mudra – Life Mudra
This mudra balances the body energy, boosting the immunity. Can help with eyesight problems, insomnia and hunger attacks.
Touch the tips of the thumb, the ring and the little finger, while keeping the other two straight.
Practice it any time, but do it regularly to see the optimal results.
· Apanu Vaya Mudra – Heart Mudra
Hearth strength is the cause of this mudra.
Touch the tips of the middle finger, the ring finger and the thumb. Stretch the little finger, and touch the base of the thumb with the index finger, slightly pressuring.
Practice this mudra as often as possible, and if you are dealing with heart problems, minimal time of practice should be 15 minutes.
