Mudras – Healing Through Your Fingers
| Most people associate yoga with a person sitting in the lotus position, hands on their knees with their forefinger and thumb touching. This positioning of the fingers is called “Mudra” and just like pressure points, this technique can affect our physical and emotional states.
Mudras have been known in the East for thousands of years, not only in meditation or yoga, but also as part of the treatment for various physical and mental ailments. At times, people put their fingers in the mudra position without even knowing it. There are hundreds of mudra variations, which include your head, hands and body, each one helping with different ailments. This list will show you the 10 easiest mudras that you can perform everywhere and at any time – simply choose the one that corresponds to your problem and stick to it for a few days, until you feel better. Please note that there is no need to apply pressure on your fingers. Perform these exercises with both hands simultaneously, preferably while sitting down.
1. Gyan Mudra (Knowledge)
The tip of your forefinger touches the tip of the thumb while the rest of the fingers remain straight. Targets: This mudra stimulates the pituitary gland, which controls your metabolism, as well as your sleep cycles. Gyan helps improve your memory, prevents insomnia, provides clarity of mind and can help in preventing dementia. Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.
2. Prithvi Mudra (Earth)
The tip of the thumb touches the tip of your ring finger while the rest of the fingers remain straight. Targets: Prithvi helps you with physical and mental weaknesses, prevents chronic lethargy, provides an energy boost and reduces the symptoms of osteoporosis. Other benefits include prevention of dryness of the skin, rashes, aging, hair loss, and even stomach ulcers. Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.
3. Varuna Mudra (Water)
The tip of the pinky touches the tip of the thumb while the rest of the fingers remain straight. Targets: Varuna helps balance your mental state, as well as your bodily fluids (it prevents dryness of the eyes, mouth, digestive system and skin). This mudra also aids in stopping cramps and constipation, as well as regulates the menstrual cycle and other hormonal irregularities in women. On top of all of these benefits, it can prevent joint degradation, anemia, and even may improve your sense of taste. Perform for 45 minutes every day, or for 15 minutes 3 times a day. Avoid if you’re dealing with excess water retention. 4. Vayu Mudra (Air)
The thumb holds the forefinger down while the rest of the fingers remain straight. Targets: Vayu helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as the intensity of your voice. It aids in decision making and impatience, shyness, unease, the hiccups, cramps, dizziness, and even Parkinson’s symptoms. Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day.
5. Shunya Mudra (Emptiness)
The thumb holds the middle finger down while the rest of the fingers remain straight. Targets: Shunya is effective in cases of earaches and serves as a confidence booster. This position also prevents a feeling of emptiness, tinnitus, and even vertigo. In cases of severe earaches, vertigo or numbness of a limb, perform this mudra until the problem is solved. Perform for 30-45 minutes every day, or for 10-15 minutes 3 times a day. Note that experts recommend stopping once the problem is over. 6. Surya Mudra (Sun)
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Take off with Natarajan 