8 Yoga Mudras To Overcome Any Ailments

Yoga is not only an exercise but a form of spiritual practice to improve one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It doesn’t only refer to twisting and curling your body into different shapes and poses, but it also involves some specific mudras posed during meditation. Mudras mean gestures adopted during pranayama and meditation that direct and regulate the flow of energy into our bodies.

Hand Yoga Mudra And Their Benefits

There are many different yoga mudras and each of them has a different benefit. Below is the explanation for each.

1. Gyan Mudra

This is the first yoga mudra pose known as Gyan Mudra or the Mudra of Knowledge.

How to do it?

Practice this mudra when meditating. It’s perfect when you do it before sunrise, at the time of Brahma Muhurta. Touch the tip of your index finger with the tip of your thumb. For the other three fingers, you may keep it straight or just keep it free, doesn’t matter even if they are slightly bent. This is a very commonly used mudra when practicing meditations.

Caution

This is a very beneficial mudra and anyone can practice this.

Benefits

As the name suggests, this mudra is meant to increase your concentration and memory power.

This mudra sharpens your brainpower.

It has the ability to cure insomnia.

Practice this mudra regularly to heal yourself of all mental and psychological disorders like anger, stress, anxiety, or even depression.

Vayu Mudra

How to do it?

This mudra can be practiced in a standing, sitting, or an assumed supine posture. Fold your index finger. As you fold your index finger, you can prominently see two bones of the said finger. They are called phalanx bones. It is the second bone that needs to be secured and pressed down onto the mound of the palm by the thumb as shown in the above picture. The rest of the three fingers should be kept extended as much as possible.

Do this at any time of the day at your convenience. There is also no compulsion of doing this on an empty stomach.

You may also practice this mudra with a full stomach.

Caution

Once you achieve the benefits from this mudra, stop doing it. After a certain time, it may cause an imbalance within your system.

Benefits

As the name suggests Vaayu mudra, balances the air element within your body. This mudra releases the excess wind from the stomach and body, thereby reducing rheumatic and chest pain and helping in relieving abdominal gas.

Agni Mudra (Mudra of Fire)

How to do it?

Fold your ring finger and press the second phalanx with the base of your thumb while resting the bent finger on the mound of the palm. Keep the rest of the fingers straight. This mudra should be practiced only in a sitting position early in the morning with an empty stomach. Maintain this mudra for at least 15 minutes every day.

Caution

But if you are suffering from acidity or indigestion, avoid this mudra.

Benefits

• It helps to dissolve the extra fat boosting metabolism and controlling obesity.

• Quickens digestion.

• Improves body strength.

• Reduces stress and tension.

• Controls high cholesterol levels.

Prithvi Mudra (Mudra of Earth)

How to do it?

Touch the tip of your ring finger with the tip of your thumb. Pressing the tips of these two fingers, keep the rest of the fingers extended out.

It is preferable that you perform this mudra in the morning. However, you may even do it at any time of the day and for any duration. As the name suggests, it is a grounding mudra, and hence, a lotus stance is very helpful to reap the benefits of this mudra. Sit in a padmasana keeping the palms of both your hands on your knees with straight elbows. Perform this asana when you feel stressed out and exhausted. Padmasana accompanied by this mudra will immediately perk you up. This is also an amazing mudra yoga for glowing skin.

Caution

Nothing at all. Perform this asana freely. But since this mudra is assumed in a lotus position, care should be taken not to sit too long so that no stiffness or discomfort is felt in the knee or the hip joint.

Benefits

• It improves blood circulation throughout the body.

• Increases patience and tolerance.

• Increases concentration while meditating.

• Helps strengthen weak and lean bones.

• It reduces weakness, exhaustion, and dullness of mind by creating a grounding effect as the name of this mudra suggests.

• This mudra makes you more beautiful by improving your complexion and giving a natural glow to your skin.

Varun Mudra (Mudra of Water)

This is the best yogic mudra for your outer beauty. It has a positive effect on your skin and keeps it away from all problems. A very effective yoga asana for your overall health let us learn to do this mudra with perfection.

How to do it?

Lightly touch the tip of your little finger with the tip of your thumb. The rest of the fingers should be kept straight. There is no specific time to perform this mudra. You may do it at any time of the day and in any position, but sitting cross-legged when doing this mudra is preferable.

Caution

Take care not to press the tip of the little finger near the nail. That will cause dehydration instead of balancing the water level in your body.

Benefits

A number of benefits can be achieved by doing this mudra:

• Varun Mudra balances the water content in our bodies.

• It activates fluid circulation within the body keeping it moisturized always.

• It relieves skin issues like dryness, skin diseases, and skin infections.

• It adds a natural glow and luster to your face.

• Varun Mudra also relieves and prevents any muscle pains that you may suffer from.

Shunya Mudra (Mudra Of Emptiness)

How to do it?

Press the first phalanx of your middle finger with the thumb.

Benefits

• Practicing this mudra with full concentration is suggestive of relieving ear ailments.

• It is also very helpful if someone is deaf or mentally challenged. But those who are handicapped inborn won’t benefit from this mudra.

Cautions

After you are cured of these diseases, stop practicing this mudra.

Surya Mudra (Mudra Of The Sun)

How to do it?

Press your ring finger and press it with the thumb just as shown in the picture.

Benefits

It is quite beneficial when it comes to reducing bad cholesterol.

Want to lose weight? This is an amazing yoga mudra for weight loss that comes in handy.

Reduces anxiety.

Also improves your digestion.

Prana Mudra (Mudra Of Life)

This is a very important mudra as it activates the energy in your body.

How to do it?

This yoga mudra pose should be accompanied along with padmasana. Bend your ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb.

There is no specific time to perform this asana. Any time of the day will be suitable.

Benefits

• This mudra improves your immune system.

• It also increases your eye power and stimulates the eyes.

• It reduces fatigue and tiredness.

These are some very important mudras in yoga and are beneficial for your health. Practice them every day and integrate them with your breath.