Mudras

Mudra, meaning “seal”, is a hand gesture that aids in balancing the five elements in the body namely earth, water, fire, air and space.

Each of the five fingers represents an element:

• Thumb - Fire
• Index Finger - Air
• Middle Finger - Space
• Ring Finger - Earth
• Little Finger - Water 

Performing the mudra by connecting the appropriate finger that represents an unbalanced element helps to address the particular health condition and promote health.

What You May Want To Know About Mudras

Mudras can be performed at anytime, any place but it is best suggested to practice mudras in a ventilated area. When mudras are performed in the morning, the practice should be done on an empty stomach. When performed in the afternoons and evenings, maintain an interval of two hours between your meal and the practice.  

While mudras can be performed even while traveling, the best way to perform the mudras is to sit in padmasana or sukhasana. Certain mudras are performed standing. However, those with health conditions that make sitting or standing uncomfortable can perform the mudras lying down.

The duration of performing the mudras depends on the mudra that is performed.

Mudras are effective even when one practices while being involved in other activities such as reading or listening to music but optimum benefits can be obtained if one keeps the focus on the practice.

Here are the important mudras:

• Prithvi Mudra
• Gyan Mudra
• Vayu Mudra
• Aakash Mudra
• Varun Mudra
• Surya Mudra
• Pran Mudra
• Apaan Mudra
• Apaan Vayu Mudra
• Udana Vayu Mudra
• Samana Vayu Mudra
• Linga Mudra
• Mrigi Mudra