Yoga involves not only different exercises but it is also a form of spiritual practice to improve your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. It does not only refer to Asanas alone but it also involves some specific Mudras.

Mudras mean gestures adopted during pranayams and meditations that direct flow of energy into our body. It is believed that these yoga mudras stimulate different parts of the body.

The physical body is made up of five elements namely – Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aakash (ether).  According to Ayurveda diseases are caused due to an imbalance in the body, which is caused by lack or excess of any of the five elements.

Our fingers have the characteristics of these elements and each of these five elements serves a specific and important function within the body.  Thumb –represents fire, Index finger stands for air, Middle finger represents Aakash, Ring finger signifies earth and little finger denotes water.

The fingers are essentially electrical circuits. Deficiencies in any of these elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another in a particular manner through Mudras.

When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Therefore the disease caused by the imbalance is cured. Mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health. The joining of fingers creates an effect on the human body.

Mudras create a subtle connection with the instinctual patterns in the brain and influence the unconscious reflexes in these areas. The internal energy is thus balanced and redirected. It affects change in the sensory organs, glands and veins.

Different Mudras and their benefits

AKASH MUDRA

Method: Join the tip of the ring finger and thumb.  Keep the rest of three fingers straight. One can practice the mudra for an hour.

Benefits: The continual practice of the mudra can end the negative thoughts and emptiness in life. It is very effective for treating ear problems. It is also beneficial in curing heart diseases. The practice of this mudra makes the bones strong and helps tackle the deficiency of calcium.

PRITHVI MUDRA

Method: Join the tip of the thumb and ring finger. Keep the rest of three fingers straight.

Benefits: The mudra makes body sturdy. One experiences happiness. It improves blood circulation throughout the body. The practice increases patience and tolerance. It also increases concentration. It helps strengthen weak and lean bones and is useful while increasing weight.  It reduces weakness, exhaustion and dullness of mind. The Mudra improves your complexion and gives a natural glow to your skin.

VAYU MUDRA

Method: You need to fold your index finger and press it with the base of your thumb. Keep the thumb on the index finger. The rest of the three fingers should be kept extended.

This Mudra can be practiced at any time of the day. It can be practiced in a standing, sitting or lying down posture. It can be practiced with a full stomach or at an empty stomach.

Benefits: The mudra balances the air element within your body. It releases excess wind from stomach and body thereby reduces gastric trouble and rheumatic and chest pain. It is effective to control back pain, neck pain and knee pain.  It helps in curing diseases like arthritis, trembling in Parkinson’s disease. Better results are obtained if it is practiced after Prana mudra.

You should stop doing the mudra once you achieve the benefits from this mudra.

SHUNYA MUDRA

Method: Press the middle finger on the base of the thumb and keep the thumb on middle finger. Keep the other three fingers straight.

Benefits: It improves blood circulation and can cure ear ache. It is also useful in throat and thyroid problems. It improves hearing capacity. It is effective to calm down hyperactive children.

SURYA MUDRA

Method: Fold your ring finger and press it at the base of thumb. Gently press the thumb on it. Do it for 15 minutes twice a day.

Benefits: It is quite beneficial in reducing bad cholesterol. It reduces weight of your body.  Also reduces anxiety and improves your digestion.

VARUN MUDRA

 Method: Join the tip of the thumb and little finger. Keep the other fingers 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.

Benefits: The practice improves the deteriorated quality of blood due to shortage of water and gives freshness to the body. Varun Mudra balances the water content in our body. It activates fluid circulation within the body keeping it moisturized always. It has a positive effect on your skin and keeps it away from all problems. It adds a natural glow and luster to your face.

Varun Mudra also relieves and prevents any muscle pains. It is a very effective Mudra for your overall health.

PRANA MUDRA

Method: Bend your ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb. Keep the other two fingers straight.

Benefits: This is a very important mudra as it activates the energy in the body. It helps in pumping the life force into the body.  It is useful for all types of diseases.

There is no specific time to perform this Mudra. The practice improves your immune system. It also increases your eye power and also cures any sort if eye diseases. It reduces fatigue and tiredness.

APAAN MUDRA

Method: Bend your ring finger and middle finger and touch the tip of both these fingers with the tip of your thumb. Keep the other finger straight.

Benefits: It helps removing toxins from the body. It releases body heat and reduces constipation.

GYAN MUDRA

Method:Touch the tip of your index finger with the tip of your thumb. The other three fingers can be kept stretched and joined. This is a very commonly used mudra when practicing meditations.

Benefits: As the name suggests, this Mudra is meant to increase your concentration and memory power. It sharpens your brain power. It has the ability to cure insomnia. The continuous practice of this Mudra can heal mental and psychological disorders like anger, stress, anxiety or even depression.

It is effective in cases of mental ailment. It imparts happiness and helps sharpen memory.

AGNI MUDRA

Method: Fold your ring finger and press the base of your thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers straight. This Mudra should be practiced only in sitting position early in the morning with an empty stomach. Maintain this mudra for at least 15 minutes every day. But if you are suffering from acidity or indigestion, avoid this mudra.

Benefits: It is beneficial to dissolve the extra fat boosting metabolism and controls obesity. It improves digestion and body strength. It reduces stress and tension. It controls high cholesterol levels.

For good results should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously.

Avoid doing any Mudra immediately after consuming food and liquids. In each Yoga Mudra, take at least twelve breaths and closely observe the flow of energy in the body. There are many different yoga mudras and each of them has a different benefit. It is essential to learn them properly from good instructors and to practice under proper guidance.