Our body is composed of 5 elements namely: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Aakash or Ether (tiny intercellular spaces in the human body). A Mudra is a symbolic or ritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity carried from the cultural practices of Indian religions. Some of them involve all other parts of the body, but most focus on the hands and fingers only. Imbalance of the 5 elements causes defects and other diseases due to the disruption of the immune system. To keep the stability of these elements, connecting one part of the body to the other in a particular manner can be done through Mudras. Once the connection of each finger representing an element (thumb – fire; index – air; middle – aakash; ring – earth; smallest – water) is completed, the disease that was instigated by the imbalance is cured and health is restored through electromagnetic currents in the body caused by performing Mudras.
Here are different kinds of Mudras with their assigned methods and benefits:
1) Gyan Mudra – responsible for mental ailments, enhancing the memory, and divulging happiness. To perform the Gyan Mudra, join the tips of your thumb and index finger, keeping the three remaining fingers stretched and pressed together.
2) Shoonya Mudra – done to relieve diseases and pain in the ears. To perform this Mudra, connect the tips of your thumb and middle finger. Retain their link while keeping the 3 remaining fingers straight.
3) Apaan Mudra – this Mudra helps cleanse the body through the elimination of waste matter from different parts of the body particularly the eyes, mouth, ears and nose. It also helps regulate proper bowel movement and prevents constipation. It is done by connecting the tip of the thumb to the tips of the middle and ring finger while keeping the two remaining fingers straight.
4) Prana Mudra – it is beneficial for all types of diseases and conveys special power to the eyes. To perform the Prana Mudra, simply join the tip of the thumb to the tips of the ring and smallest finger, keeping the remaining fingers straight.
5) Vayu Mudra – helps in diseases such as arthritis and Parkinson’s, but the best results are achieved if done after the Prana Mudra. Complete this routine by placing the index finger on the base of the thumb while keeping the remaining fingers straight.
6) Prithvi Mudra – the “Happiness Mudra”, this routine makes the body sturdy just by joining the tip of the thumb and ring finger.
7) Varun Mudra – improves the weakened quality of blood due to water shortage by giving freshness to the body. The Varun Mudra is performed by pressing the tip of the thumb to the tip of the smallest finger.
8) Surya Mudra – the “Weight-loss Mudra”, done by putting the tip of the ring finger at the base of the thumb as it gently presses on the tip of the other.
9) Ling Mudra – helps cure colds and cough by supplying enough heat to the body. Do this routine by interlocking the fingers of both hands together while keeping the left thumb vertically straight as the right thumb encircles it.
These hand and finger routines could be exercised while lying, walking, sitting, standing, or even talking. To get the best results, this should be done continuously for 24 minutes, practicing each routing for 4-5 minutes at a time. If Mudra exercise cannot be done be both hands, one hand is enough.
