Mudra is a term with many meanings. In Sanskrit, mudras mean closure, gesture, attitude, seal, even a symbol or neuromuscular gestures. Mudras have been an integral part of many Hindu and Buddhist rituals. Mudras are restored physically energy, mentally energy and spiritual energy. By practicing mudras, the energies will flow in the correct direction. Connecting two fingers or more in a correct manner, we can influence the energy flow within the body.
Individual, Universal/cosmic force. Cosmic/Universal force is the Thumb finger and individual force is remaining fingers. Yoga Mudras are used to aid in healing the different parts of the body and stimulate different areas of the brain. There are many types of Mudras which help to cure various diseases by practicing the same depending on the need of the individual. Body functions can be improved just by changing the positions of the palms as explained in detail in the following Mudras.
Important Guidelines:
While performing mudras, if the thumb is in contact with fingertips, that specific elements will be in balance. If the thumb is in contact behind the finger, that specific elements would decrease. If the base finger is in contact with thumb, concern elements increases.
Generally, Prana(life force energy) leave from hands whenever our fingers are touch with our thumb, the finger concern element will be back into balance. The fingers are electrical circuits when one finger is in contact with the other, electromagnetic current is generated within the body. The human body is made up of five elements: Fire, Air, Ether, Earth, and Water. Each finger represents an element as depicted in the picture above.
The connection between Fingers and Five Elements
Thumb – Represents the Agni tattva and its a source of balancing the flow of Agni tattva. It’s associated with Manipura chakra.
Index finger – Represents the Vayu tattva and its a source of balancing the flow of Vayu tattva. It’s associated with Anahata chakra
Middle finger – Represents the Akash tattva and its a source of balancing the flow of Akash tattva. It’s associated with Vishudda chakra
Ring finger – Represents the bhu tattva and its a source of balancing the flow of bhu tattva. It’s associated with Muladhara chakra
Little finger – Represents the Jala tattva and its a source of balancing the flow of Jala tattva. It’s associated with Swadhishthan chakra.
The ancient science of Mudras is the greatest gift to the world. Some Mudras can be practiced continuously, however, a few Mudras should be discontinued after the disease is cured. These mudras can be practiced while sitting, standing or walking. While practicing Mudras, it is recommended to sit either in padmasana, Ardha padmasana, or Vajrayana. It is recommended to practice each mudra 15 to 45 min in a day. However, each Murda should be practiced only for 15 min in a stretch/session.
How Mudras will help activate glands?
While practicing mudras, two types of glands are activated. Exocrine and endocrine glands. Exocrine glands are the Salivary gland, sweat glands, Sebaceous gland, and lachrymal glands. These glands release enzymes like saliva, sebum, Lacrimal etc. Endocrine glands are hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroids, thymus, adrenal glands, reproductive glands (which include the ovaries and testes). These glands release hormones like Somatostatin, thyroid hormones (T3, T4), cortisol, corticosteroids, melatonin, androgens, testosterone, insulin, and glucagon etc. These hormones, enzymes help in proper body system function like the circulatory system, digestive system, immune system, reproductive system, respiratory system. If these body system functions are working properly, then every element will be balanced.
Types of Mudras
Hasta mudras(hand gesture), Mana mudras –( head gesture), Kaya mudras (postural gesture), Bandha mudras (lock gesture), Adhara mudras (perineal gesture). These mudras are popular and well known from ancient times in India.
Vayu mudra:
How to perform: Bend the index finger to the base of the thumb and place the thumb over it and place other fingers erect.
Benefits:
- Balances the air element within our body.
- Releases excess air from stomach and body
- Reduces arthritis, chest pain, gout, constipation, neck pain, trembling in Parkinson’s disease, paralysis, and cervical spondylitis.
- Harmonizes all five upa-pranas
Gyan mudra:
How to Perform: Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers stretched out.
Benefits:
- Energizes pituitary and pineal glands.
- Improves concentration, memory, decision-making ability, reduces laziness.
- Reduces headache.
- Ability to cure insomnia. Mental and psychological disorders like anger, stress, anxiety and depression.
Prithvi Mudra:
How to Perform: This mudra is formed by joining together the tip of the thumb and the tip of ring finger.
Benefits:
- Increases the earth element in the body. In our body, muscles, bones, hair, veins, and skin are made of Earth element.
- Decreases the Agni (fire) element.
- Increases weight
- Improves your complexion and gives a natural glow to your skin.
- To stay calm and peaceful and it removes dullness and burning sensation.
- Promotes Hair regrowth, Strengthens tissues
Who should not perform:
- People who are overweight
Surya Mudra:
How to do: Bend the ring finger, bring it to the base of the thumb and place the thumb over it. Place other fingers erect.
Benefits:
- Helps to increase the fire element in the body at the same time it decreases the earth element. This mudra activates pituitary and pineal glands.
- This is an amazing yoga mudra for weight loss and it improves metabolism and digestion.
- Surya Mudra can help to cure many other problems like appetite, asthma, pneumonia, sinus, shivering, cold, breathing difficulty and Constipation.
- It is beneficial for hypertension, diabetes, liver defects, Kapha and Vata Dosha.
- Helps to activate the thyroid.
- Strengthens the eyes and improves vision. Helps to reduce anxiety and stress
Who should not perform:
- People having Pitta nature should not perform this mudra.
Akasha Mudra:
How to Perform: This mudra is formed by joining together the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger. This mudra helps to control the sky element in the body.
Benefits:
- Balances the space inside the body.
- Strengthens the heart muscles and bones.
- Control high blood pressure.
- Reduces the dullness in our body.
- Useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.
- Removes negative emotions like anger, sorrow or fear.
Shunya Mudra:
How to do: Bend the middle finger and bring it to the base of the thumb and place the thumb over it. Place other fingers erect.
Benefits:
- Reduces the sky element in the body.
- Helps overcome travel sickness or vertigo.
- Helps cure all the diseases caused by the excess of vata.
- Heals thyroid diseases.
Limitation:
- Recommended stopping practicing this Mudra once the above diseases are cured.
Varuna Mudra or Jala Mudra
How to Perform: Touch the tip of the thumb with the little finger. Please, other fingers erect.
Benefits:
- Balances the water content in our body.
- Nourishes the skin, making it glow and beautiful.
- Helps to overcome disorders like loss of taste-sense, dry mouth, dry cough, dry eyes, dry skin, dry eczema, dry hair, psoriasis, anemia, kidneys, and bladder etc.
- Helps in blood purification, Increases the circulation of blood and other fluids throughout the body and it develops communication, intuition.
- Helps to regulate menstrual cycles and hormonal conditions in women.
Who should not perform:
- Those who are suffering from cold, cough and Kapha dosha should avoid Varuna mudra.
Jalodar Nashak Mudra
How to do: Bend the little finger and bring it to the base of the thumb and place the thumb over it. The remaining three fingers should be extended yet relaxed.
Benefits:
- Reduces the excessive water element from the body.
- Helps to cure many other problems like excessive menstruation, excessive urination, kidney problems, ascites, excessive salivation, runny nose, watery eyes, dropsy, filarial and diarrhea(loose motion).
Limitation:
- Recommended stopping practicing this Mudra once the above diseases are cured.
Prana Mudra
How to do: Bend your ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb. The remaining fingers should be extended yet relaxed. Another name of this mudra Kapha-kaarak mudra and Pitta-nashak mudra.
Benefits:
- Increases our immune system, nutrients, eyesight, positivity, self-confidence, inner stability, mental clarity, circulation, body resistance to diseases.
- Reduces deficiency of vitamins, fatigue, depression, fear, nervousness, tension, anxiety, anger, insomnia, and tiredness.
- Helps improve the flow of the prana in the entire body, activates the root chakra.
- During fasting, it increases vitality and it gives us a good night’s sleep.
- This mudra cleanses our aura and aura level becomes larger, shiny and brighter.
- This mudra increases Kapha and decreases pitta dosha.
Limitation:
- Pran mudra should be avoided if you are suffering from a cough and cold.
Apana Mudra
How to Perform: Bend your ring finger and middle finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb. The remaining two fingers should be extended yet relaxed. 
Benefits:
- Helps to remove all toxins in the body due to undigested food.
- Helps to cure many other problems like gastritis, Constipation, piles, dental, diabetes, urine, kidney defects, menstruation, skin problems and diseases caused by Vayu (or air).
- Improves the function of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and intestines and some parts of the abdomen.
Limitation:
- The pregnant woman and those who are suffering from dysentery and diarrhea should not perform this mudra.
Apana Vayu Mudra
How to Perform: The tip of the middle finger and tip of the ring finger should touch the tip of the thumb, while the index finger touches the base of the thumb and little finger should remain straight. Another name of this mudra is Mrita-Sanjeevani Mudra and Mudra of Heart
Benefits:
- It strengthens the heart.
- Helps as a tablet for heart attack before being admitted to the hospital.
- It regulates the excretory system.
- It cures many problems like gastritis, heartburn, stomach ulcer, lung infection, asthma, headache, and high blood pressure, respiratory system related problems.
Limitation:
- Pregnant women should not perform this mudra.
Vyana Mudra
How to do: Bend your index finger and middle finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb. The remaining two fingers should be extended yet relaxed
Benefits:
- Helps to keep Blood pressure in control.
- It improves blood circulation
- Reduces fatigue, insomnia, sweating, thirst, urination, drowsiness, sleep for people having these in an excess manner.
Samana Mudra
How to perform: All the fingers tips touch the tip of the thumb. Fingers facing the sky. Another name of this mudra Tri-dosha nashak mudra and Mukul mudra
Benefits:
- Balances of all elements.
- Helps digestion and smooth body metabolism.
- Its improves function of the liver, small intestine, pancreas, pituitary glands.
- Promotes self-confidence, clarity of thoughts and self-esteem.
Linga Mudra
How to do: This Mudra is formed by interlocking the palms but Keep the left-hand thumb straight. Another name of this mudra Gesture of heat.
Benefits:
- Helps to improve metabolism, digestion, immune system, respiratory system, and men’s sexual virility.
- It cures many problems like lungs infection, bronchial infection, and overweight.
- It reduces cold, cough, phlegm, asthma, flu, sinus and mucus.
Limitation:
- Pitta dosha and people suffering from temperature/fever should not perform this mudra.
Ganesha Mudra
How to do: Interlock fingers as shown in the picture. Be sure to place the hands at the chest level.
Benefits:
- Removes all obstacles in life.
- Activates Anahata Chakra
- Increases positivity, confidence, and courage.
- Benefited from cardiac muscles, shoulders, arms and the bronchial tubes.
Kubera Mudra
How to do: Joining together tip of the thumb, index, and middle finger. Bend the other two fingers and rest in the middle of your hand. This should be performed by both the hands.
Benefits:
- Helps achieve your desires.
- Helps visualize your goals.
- Helps to fulfill wishes, wealth
- Lord Kubera blessings.
Surabhi Mudra
How to do: Form Namaste and keep the thumbs apart, join tip of middle, index finger which are opposite to each other and then join little, ring fingertip which is opposite to each other. Mudra looks like Cow. Another name of this mudra is wish-fulfilling Mudra.
Benefits:
- Actives all endocrine glands like pituitary, pineal, thyroid, adrenaline gland.
- Desires and dreams would be fulfilled.
- Balancing vatta, pitta, kapha.
- Improves the aura of the body.
- Increases brain function and creativity.
- Stabilize Manipura chakra and it will cure digestion problems, it will flush out all the toxins from the body
Matangi Mudra
How to do: Fold your hands in front of your solar plexus. Now extend both middle fingers and join them at the tips.
Benefits:
- Activates solar plexus chakra (Manipura Chakra).
- Helps to cure digestive system problem.
- Its Strengthens organs like Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Gall Bladder, Pancreas, duodenum and Kidneys.
- It creates inner heat, increasing energy and reducing lethargy.
Shanka mudra
How to do: Raise both your arms in front of your chest level and Place the thumb of the left hand at the base of the right thumb. Fold the fingers of the right hand covering the left thumb. Now the thumb of the right-hand touches the middle finger of the left hand. The other three fingers of the left hand are to be placed on the back of the right palm. Another name of this mudra Shanka thyroid mudra
Benefits:
- Activates Vishuddhi Chakra and improves thyroid gland performance.
- Helps to increase children height.
- It cures many problems like speech, throat infections, kidney, asthma, paralytic attack.
- This mudra very useful for the singer for singing songs with a good voice.
Uttarabodhi Mudra
How to do: Raise both your hands in front of solar plexus level. Interlock the fingers. Leaving the index fingers and thumbs extended. Index fingers and thumbs of both hands should be joined together. The index fingers should point to the sky and thumb should point to the floor.
Benefits:
- Uttarabodhi mudra reduces fear.
- It relaxes nerves and calms the mind.
- Helps to increase self-confidence and realizing the inner Self.
- If you perform this mudra before exams or before interviews would increase confidence.
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