. In Yoga, we have developed a number of Mudras to avoid various diseases and to mitigate their effects. These Mudras are made by manipulating the fingers of our hands. They have wonderful effect on body and mind.
It is believed in ayurveda that human body is controlled by five elements, viz. air fire, air, water, earth and sky. These elements are present in fixed proportions and even the slightest imbalance of any of these lead to various types of diseases. Mudras, specific hand postures, help normalize these five elements and hence the prana in the human body. Namaste, the normal gesture in India to greet somebody, is also a kind of mudra.
The word Mudra literally means seal. It has a number of different connotations in yoga, but these are most commonly associated with hand gestures. There is tremendous flow of energy in our hands and each finger of the hand is packed with nerve endings, energy and a meaning of its own. When these fingers are brought together in specific ways, they produce subtle effects and have the potency to heal. Mudras can help balance the flow of energy through the nadis that nourish our internal organs.Each finger represents one of the five elements and its related emotion and problems. The thumb represents the element fire, the stomach and worry. The index finger represents the element air, the lungs and the large intestine and the emotions that are depression, sadness and grief. The middle finger is the element sky, the heart, small intestine, circulatory and respiratory systems and the emotions are impatience and hastiness. The ring finger is the element earth and is connected to the liver, gall bladder, and nervous system and corresponds to anger.
The little finger corresponds to water, the kidneys and fear. If you are overwhelmed by an emotion, just squeeze the corresponding finger a few times and you will feel better.
Practice of some Mudras done on a regular basis can even cure insomnia, arthritis and memory loss. As an example, Vayu Mudra is specifically aimed at eliminating flatulence. It is believed that it works immediately. But as soon as the problem is overcome, the practice should be discontinued. Bend the index finger of each hand till its tip touches the ball of the thumb. Then press the thumb lightly onto the index finger. The other three fingers should be extended and relaxed. This mudra can be done soon after eating as it eliminates gastric problems.
Mudra for life energy or Pran Mudra increases the life force, improves the eyesight, blood circulation and immune function. For this mudra, bend the little and ring fingers so that they touch the tip of the thumb. Gyan Mudra helps improving the power of mind. It is very simple, just touch the thumb with the tip of index finger. Akash mudra increases the person’s intuition, cures calcium deficiency, tooth and ear problems. To do this mudra, touch the middle finger with the thumb.
Gyan Mudra, Vayu mudra and Prana Mudra can be done everyday, but other mudras should be done only when one is suffering from a certain problem. These should be done for a maximum of fifteen minutes three times a day. Mudras can be done in any position. One can be seated, standing, lying down and even walking.
Note one must do all this under the guidence of a Yogic Teacher or Guru
“Apan Vayu Mudra”, which mitigates heart disease, and is highly effective even in case of heart attack. This Mudra can be made in this manner – fold the index finger of your hand, and press it to the base of the thumb. Next, touch the finger tips of the middle finger and the ring finger together with the tip of the thumb, and keep the little finger straight. Mudra has to be made by both the hands. Its effect is magical in case of heart attack; it works like a Sorbitrate tablet, and serves better than even a powerful injection. It will not cause damage to the heart, and one can safely do
Let us understand the logic behind this Mudra and see how it works
Our body is made up of five elements – namely, Fire, Air, Space, Earth and Water. In logic parlance, they are Agni, Vayu, Akash, Prithvi and Jal. The five fingers of our hands represent these five elements. The thumb indicates fire, index finger denotes air, middle finger denotes space, the ring finger denotes earth, and the little finger denotes water. Yoga believes that as long as these five elements are balanced, they create harmony and health. Any imbalance in these five elements leads to disease. For example-increase of fire element in body will increase heat in body, increase in air element leads various pains in body, increase of space will lead to many ear problems, increase in cholesteorol, etc-while increase in water element creates as cites (i.e. fills our body parts with water and bloats them). Similarly, any decrease in these elements will lead to other kind of diseases. By using these five fingers in many possible ways, we can restore the balance between these five elements and can thus keep ourselves disease free.
When we do Apan Vayu Mudra, we have done four things. By folding the index finger, we have reduced air element which immediately relieves pain in the heart. By touching the finger tips of thumb, middle finger and ring fingers, we have increased fire element (heat), space and earth elements. By increasing heat in the body, the impurities in the blood are being removed, by increasing space element, we supply more oxygen to heart arteries, and by increasing earth element, we have increased the muscle power of the heart. That is, by a very simple manipulation of our fingers, we have simultaneously made a four-pronged mechanism to save from the rigours of a heart attack. The patient can easily be transported to a hospital, without causing any damage to heart. Doing Apan Vayu Mudra in case of heart attack is like a very effective emergency treatment. Apan Vayu Mudra is useful in a large number of other cases, as under:
Benefits of Apan vayu mudra :
If done regularly for 45 minutes daily in three stretches of 15 minutes each in morning, afternoon and evening, it is capable of solving many problems of heart disease. When air element increases in the body, it causes constriction of heart arteries; they become hard and narrow. Doing this Mudra will relieve arteriosclerosis’ of the heart, and thus strengthens the heart muscles and remove blockages in arteries.
It relieves angina immediately;
It normalizes blood pressure and thus saves us from both high as well as low blood pressure, as it stimulates the circulatory system.
In case of palpitations or weak pulse, this Mudra will normalize the pulse rate immediately.
It also reduces nervousness, as it quietens / calms the nervous system.
It helps in relieving acidity, gas formation, eructation, belching, and strengthens the digestive system. It solves all diseases of the intestines, colic, colitis, etc;
It is highly effective in respiratory diseases like asthma. This Mudra, by cleansing the blood circulatory system, helps the lungs also in their functioning. People who suffer from difficult breathing while climbing stairs or walking fast should do this Mudra for about 10 minutes before climbing stairs; they will feel much better.
Similarly, people suffering from osteoarthritis and pain in knees can do this Mudra for 10 minutes before climbing upstairs; they will feel relieved of pain.
It is also highly effective in curing migraine. Migraine or headache is primarily due to weak digestion or excited nerves. As already mentioned, this Mudra quietens the nervous system and strengthens digestive system; thus, leaving no cause for migraine.
By soothing the nervous system, it induces sleep and cures insomnia.
The Mudra relieves toothache also; and cures hiccough.
In Indian culture, a sudden blinking of left eye in males and right eye in females is considered inauspicious. Apan Vayu Mudra will stop unwanted blinking of eyes.
According to Ayurveda, any imbalance in the three “doshas” – Vata, Pitta and Kafa causes diseases. Apan Vayu Mudra restores balance in these three ‘doshas’. Apan Vayu Mudra stimulates and strengthens the blood circulatory system – digestive system, respiratory system, excretory system and the nervous system.
It removes all negative emotions from the mind, and all negative pressure of the body.
It is helpful in arthritis also
It is also helpful in polio cases. Apan Vayu Mudra is thus a very helpful mudra in our daily lives and also in emergencies like heart attack. It should be practiced for 45 minutes a day – in 3 phases of 15 minutes each. If practiced regularly over a long period of time, it is capable of curing all heart ailments.
Note one must do all this under the guidence of a Yogic Teacher or Guru
