Vyana Vayu Mudra – Hand Gesture for Vyana Flow.

Vyana Vayu Mudra is a hand mudra or gesture used for improving blood circulation and regulating blood pressure. In Ayurveda, the thumb represents the fire element, the middle finger indicates space element and the index finger, the air element. Vyana Vayu mudra brings together these three elements, which is said to give therapeutic benefits.

Vyana Vayu is primarily responsible for the circulation of blood in the entire body. It is responsible for distributing oxygen and nutrition to all the cells in the body through the circulatory system. Disturbances in Vyana Vayu can cause blood pressure problems.

Vyana Vayu Mudra is aimed at improving the function of Vyana Vayu, namely the blood circulation. It is easy to practice and can be practiced any time of the day.

How to do Vyana Vayu Mudra?

1. Sit in any comfortable seating posture. Meditation postures like Padmasana, Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Vajrasana, etc. are ideal for the practice of mudras. Sukhasana and Ardha Padmasana may also be used. It can also be done sitting on a chair with spine straight or even in the standing pose if you are not able to sit on the floor.
2. In the sitting position, place the hands with palm pointing upwards on the thighs or the knees.
3. Close your eyes and take few deep relaxed breaths with awareness of the breathing process.
4. Bring your index and middle finger together and bend it over to touch your thumb. The little and ring fingers should be pointed straight. You can do it on both hands. This is the Vyana Vayu hand mudra.
5. Remain in this position for 15 to 30 minutes as per your convenience. Maintain your awareness of the energy flow in the body. Feel the changes that the mudra brings about in your system.
6. To release the mudra, relax the fingers and open your eyes.

Benefits of Vyana Vayu Mudra

1. Vyana Vayu Mudra helps to regulate the blood circulation. High as well as low blood pressure can be balanced using this mudra.
2. It removes drowsiness and excessive sleep.
3. Vyana Vayu Mudra can give better control of response to temperature. Those who cannot tolerate excessive heat can benefit from this mudra.
4. It gives control over excessive thirst, sweating, and urination.
5. Vyana Vayu mudra can be used to control diarrhoea.

Shakti!

Yoga Poses!

Chinnamasta!

"Chinnamasta" is shiveringly awe-inspiring. Headless, she holds a cleaver in one hand and her own head, crowned with flowing hair, in the other. Three streams of blood spurt from her neck. Her two naked attendants are drinking her blood, which streams into their mouths. Chinnamasta demands that we look for the sacred in the forbidden and the terrifying."

 From "Awakening Shakti" by Sally Kempton

Brahma Chakra!

Yoga for better sleep...

Supta Udarakarshanasana – Lying Abdominal Stretch Pose.

Supta Udarakarshanasana or the lying abdominal stretch pose improves digestion and it gives flexibility of the spine. In Sanskrit, Supta means lying down or sleeping, Udara means abdomen, Akarshan means to pull or stretch and Asana is a pose.

How to do Supta Udarakarshanasana (Lying Abdominal Stretch Pose)?

1. Lie down flat on the floor.
2. Bend the knees and bring the feet towards you with the sole of the feet resting on the floor. Keep the two feet together during the practice.
3. Intertwine the two palms and place it under the head. Bring down the arms to the floor. Try to touch the floor with the elbows if possible.
4. Exhale and turn the knees towards the right side and try to touch the right thigh to the floor. Take it as far as possible without straining. At this point, the breath is kept outside. Remain in this position for few seconds.
5. Inhale and bring back the knees to the upright position.
6. Repeat the same on the left side.
7. Do this for as many rounds as you are comfortable. Try to experiment with the position of the feet. If it is away from the hips, then the twist is more pronounced around the lower back. If you move the feet closer to the hips, the stretch is felt more around the thoracic region.
8. To release the position, bring back the hands to the side of the body. Lower the knees and rest in Shavasana for a minute.

Benefits of Supta Udarakarshanasana (Lying Abdominal Stretch Pose)

1. Supta Udarakarshanasana gives a good twist to the spine and is a good exercise for flexibility of the spine.
2. It tones the organs in the abdomen and improves the functioning of all abdominal organs.
3. It improves digestion.
4. Supta Udarakarshanasana can relieve constipation.
5. It is good for releasing mental and physical stress.

Contraindications for Supta Udarakarshanasana

Supta Udarakarshanasana should be avoided by those who have any kind of injury to hip, knees, and spine