Mudras to Regulate Five Elements of Your Body!

A mudrā (meaning "seal", "mark", or "gesture") is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism that involves the hands and fingers (and sometimes the entire body). Traditionally, they are held as a spiritual, energetic seals of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions and traditions of Dharma and Taoism. In practice, they can be used as powerful tools to heal and revitalize the body.

There is a total of 108 mudrās used in regular Tantric rituals, so clearly, there are many to choose from when deciding to use them for oneself. In fact, there are many, many ways to use them, such as in conjunction with pranayama (breathing exercises), generally while seated in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana pose, to stimulate different parts of the body involved with breathing and to affect the flow of prana in the body. The simple hand mudrās, however, is easy to use for beginners, which is why they are our focus here.

Mudrās operate on the principle that the Universe is composed of five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and ether. Because we are beings in this Universe, our bodies are comprised of these five elements. Breaking it down even further, the five elements are represented by our five fingers and thus can be regulated by hand mudrās. The finger categorization goes like this:

Fire: the thumb
Air: index finger
Ether: middle finger
Earth: ring finger
Water: little finger

The beauty of hand mudrās is that they can be performed at any time in any way, whether you’re sitting, standing, walking or traveling. While carving out a specific time isn’t necessary, putting it on your calendar can be a good reminder to keep up the practice. The best way to get the most benefit is by doing it in sitting posture, especially in sukhasana (easy pose), vajrasana, or padmasana.

While you’re starting out, you can keep your mudrās time to around 10 minutes. As you become more adept, you can increase this to 30 minutes to an hour. You also have the option of doing all of the mudrās in this sequence, or you can perform them in shorter installments. If you’re really crunched for time, you can start with the gyan mudrā and then do whichever you need the most from there.

GYAN MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Knowledge

Method:

Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

The tip of thumb correlates to the pituitary and endocrine glands. When you press these centers with the index finger, the two glands work actively.

Benefits:

Increases memory power and sharpens the brain, enhances concentration and prevents insomnia. When practiced regularly, it can relieve psychological disorders like hysteria, anger and depression.

PRITHVI MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Earth

Method:

Tip of the ring finger touches the tip of the thumb with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

It strengthens physical weaknesses.

Benefits:

It helps to increase weight for weak life-force people, improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin glow, and promotes body functionality.

VARUNA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Water

Method:

Tip of little finger touches the tip of thumb with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

Balances the water content and prevents all diseases which come due to lack of water.

Benefits:

Improves the deteriorated quality of blood due to shortage of water and gives freshness to the body.

VAYU MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Air

Method:

Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with the thumb keeping the other three fingers straight.

Specialty:

Prevents diseases that occur due to imbalances in the air. Helps in diseases like arthritis, trembling in Parkinson's disease. Better results obtained if practices after Prana mudrā.

Benefits:

Relieves rheumatism, arthritis, gout, Parkinson's disease and paralysis. Useful for cervical spondilytis, paralysis of the face, and pressure on nerves in neck. Relieves gas pressure in the stomach.

SHUNYA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Emptiness

Method:

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

Specialty:

Targets issues in the ear.

Benefits:

Relieves an earache within 4-5 minutes.

SURYA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of the Sun

Method:

Put the tip of ring finger at the base of thumb, with thumb gently pressing on it.

Specialty:

Correlates to the thyroid gland.

Benefits:

Reduces cholesterol in body and helps in reducing weight, reduces anxiety, corrects or relieves indigestion.

PRANA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Life

Method:

Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.

Specialty:

As it is the mudrā of life, this improves the life force. Reduces clumps in blood vessels. Practiced regularly this promotes physical activity.

Benefits:

Improves immunity, improves the power of the eyes and reduces eye related issues, relieves vitamin deficiency and fatigue.

APANA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Digestion

Method:

The tips of middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb while the other two fingers are stretched out.

Specialty:

Plays an important role in our health as it regulates the excretory system.

Benefits:

Regulates diabetes, relieves constipation and piles, helps establish regular excretion of solid waste.

APANA VAYU MUDRĀ

Mudrā of the Heart

Method:

The tips of the middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb, while the index finger touches the base of thumb and the little finger is stretched out.

Specialty:

Benefits the heart and works like an injection in the reduction of heart attack. Reduces the gas content in body.

Benefits:

Strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation, regulates excretory system, relieves gastric issues.

LINGA MUDRĀ

Mudrā of Heat

Method:

Interlock the fingers of both hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand.

Specialty:

Generates heat in the body. Take milk, ghee, more water and fruit juices in addition to the practice of this mudrā for many benefits.

Benefits:

Stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungs, relieves severe cold and bronchial infections, invigorates the body

While practicing these mudrās, remember that balance among these five elements is key in maintaining optimal health.