Mudras - Hasta Mudra |(Hand Gestures)

            Mudras literally mean a seal. These are the advanced (modified) forms of asanas. In yogic practice, mudras can be made with the help of hands, eyes, and the whole body. The gestures made with hands are termed Hasta mudras. Mudras work in harmony with other healing methods and when performed regularly will have wonderful healing effects.

Our hand gesture helps us in the expression of inner feelings and deeper consciousness. In our daily life, we crudely use basic hand gestures like we give a thumbs up when we agree with something, etc.  

Fingers affect the elements of the body, the chakras, major organs, and also planetary energies. 

                             "Your Health is in Your Own Hands."    

                                                                - Ancient Vedic Wisdom.

  According to scriptures or Vedas - 

                      नास्ति मुद्रासमं किञ्चित् सिध्दिदं क्षितिमण्डले।

      Meaning - On this earth, no other karma can match the amount of success given by Mudras.

               This universe is made from five major elements (panchatatva/panchamahabhoot). We, humans, are also part of this universe, hence our body is also made up of this panchamahabhoot. The five fingers of our hands represent these five elements namely Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), Space (Aakash), Earth (Prithvi), and, Water (Jal). Usually, the disease emerges when the balance between these five elements is disturbed.

                 

According to Yogic Science - 

          The hand areas and their associated reflexes which relate to the different areas of the body were mapped out by early yogis. These areas of hands and fingers also affect the emotions and behavior of an individual. Communication between the body and mind can be effectively obtained by curling, stretching, crossing, and touching the fingers with each other as well as the other areas of the hand. The hand and finger positions of mudras make important connections in the nervous system and stimulate specific energy pathways (nadis). 

  During asana practice, holding a mudra brings a powerful and profound steadiness and focus to your practice. Hasta mudras allow you to direct the developed awareness of vital energy (prana) within your body. Performing certain mudras can also help you to control some of the involuntary physiological processes and breathing. It can generate a strong psychic effect on the inner being and facilitate spiritual advancement. Mudras accomplish this by uniting various marma points (specific anatomical locations in your body through which energy of elements is believed to flow) in fingers that activate different areas of the brain as well as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

According to traditional yoga -

        Your hands essentially are an energy map of consciousness. Each finger has a quality that it represents and stimulates:-

Little finger -  tamas (inertia)

Fourth or ring finger - rajas (activity, action, passion)

Middle finger - sattva (purity, peace)

 Index finger - Atma or individual soul 

Thumb - Parmatama or Supreme soul

The involvement of mudras in your daily yoga practice or regular practice of mudras can eventually enhance your bodily functions with the help of pulse centers on the parts of your hand, which trigger a certain healing process.

How to perform mudras?

It can be performed with both hands in any position which is comfortable for you and at any time, any place, and in any way, like sitting, standing, walking, traveling, etc. Best results are seen while performed in a sitting position (sukhasana, vajrasana, or padmasana).

Time and durations for mudras -

Initially start with 10 mins of practice days and then gradually increase up to 30 to 45 mins. It can even be extended up to 1 hour. If time doesn't permit then you can perform it in installments.

Guidelines for performing mudras:-

• Balance, Decrease, Increase :

1. Touching the Tip of the Finger and Thumb Balances the Element represented by the Finger.
2. Touching the Finger Tip at the base of the Thumb Decreases the Element.
3. Touching the Thumb Tip to the base of the Finger Increases the Element. 

• Light contact between the tips of the thumb and the fingers is sufficient, you need not apply pressure.
• Whenever possible, perform the Mudra with both hands. Mudra can be performed with one hand when there is a problem on the opposite side.
• Fingers not actively involved in the Mudra should be straight.
• Mudras can be performed by anybody, facing any direction. Mudras are universal.
• Chanting of Mantras [eg: Aum, Gayatri, Om Namah Shivaya] with Mudras gives better results.
• Suitable dietary advice can reinforce the benefits of Mudras.   

Classification of Mudras:- 

        Various mudras are mainly divided into 5 major categories:

1.  Yogic: Gherand Samhita states that 25 mudras give yogic accomplishments.    

2. Spiritual: These are beneficial for knowledge,  concentration, peace, generating love for humanity, and so on ( Gyan mudra, Dhyan mudra, and Braham Anjali mudra).

3. Curative:  These are practiced for curing diseases, warding off the foreign elements from the body, to keep a balance of elements in the body ( Prana mudra, Apana mudra, Vayu mudra, etc.).

4. Religious: Practiced during the performance of sacred and religious offerings are religious mudras  (Gyati mudras).

5. Customary: Beneficial for self and others (Namaskar mudra, Pranayama mudra). 

         Note:-  The various types of mudras and their benefits will be discussed in the upcoming posts. 

           "STAY HEALTHY, STAY SAFE, AND ENJOY THE NATURE."