Mudras are nothing but silent gestures that are impactful. They express different emotions that reside inside you. So, basically practicing mudras is not just about making symbols, but you are making energy seals. These seals can help you in concentrating during your yogic practices. Have you wondered where the term ‘mudra’ came from? It, of course, comes from the phrase ‘Mudam anandam dadati iti mudra’ in Sanskrit. They have the hidden ability to draw out happiness from within.
When you engage in mudra practice, you can direct the flow of life energy or ‘prana’. The longer you hold on to a single mudra, the smoother is the flow.
In the realm of yoga, there are five different types of mudras, and again there are sub-categories. Let us decode them one by one.
Five Types Of Yoga Mudras
- Hasta Mudra – You perform these mudras with your hands and fingers.
- Mana Mudra – You have to engage your sense organs to do these mudras.
- Bandha Mudra – These are energy locks or bandhas. Although a part of mudras, they have their separate space.
- Kaya Mudra – These involve the whole body.
- Adhara Mudra – It involves the muscles of the pelvis.
The most common amongst these are hasta mudras, mana mudras, and kaya mudras. In fact, there are around 47 hasta mudras. We will give you a quick preview of the top five hasta mudras here.
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Hand Mudras or Hasta Mudras
- Gyan Mudra – This is the most commonly practiced mudra. It enhances memory and focus.
- Apana Mudra – This is good for diabetics and also cures constipation.
- Prana Mudra – It prevents hair fall and also increases lung capacity.
- Surya Mudra – This one is very useful for weight loss and also improves metabolism.
- Varun Mudra – Those who suffer from dehydration can practice this mudra. It clears the blood and makes your skin radiant.
Mana Mudras
- Shambhavi Mudra – When you practice this mudra on a daily basis, it opens your psychic powers.
- Shanmukhi Mudra – It improves radiance on your face and enhances hearing.
- Khechari Mudra – Its practice opens blocked salivary glands and draws the mind inwards.
Kaya Mudras
- Viparita Karani – This is a body mudra and a yoga posture, as well. It releases tension and increases appetite.
- Pashinee Mudra – It increases the flexibility of the spine and also strengthens the core.
- Manduki Mudra – This mudra, when practiced regularly improves digestion and also prevents greying of hair.
Benefits Of Mudra
Mudras when done under trained individuals can yield lots of benefits. They are:
- You can recover from stress and anxiety.
- You will likely experience better brain health and focus.
- You will be able to heal yourself and others as well.
- It will help you to overcome body pain.
- Those with high blood pressure will likely see a decrease in it.
- You also get relief from tiredness.
- Your immune function will also improve.
How Do Mudras Work?
Mudras basically work by influencing the flow of energy through the body. The fingers contain the highest concentration of nerve endings, and thus are the best channels to complete the energy circuit. When the energy is directed to flow through the entire body, harmony is maintained in the body. The hand mudras specially, which are the maximum in number, operate on the basis of Pancha Tattva. Each finger represents an element. The thumb corresponds to fire, index finger to air, middle finger to space, ring finger to earth, and finally the little finger corresponds to water.
According to Ayurvedic principles, when there is imbalance in all these elements, it can throw the doshas of individuals off balance. You must ensure to practice the mudras, while sitting in a comfortable position. To practice the mudra, you must sit in Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Vajrasana.
Before you begin the practice of mudras, you have to have energy or charge your hands. Rubbing your hands against one another can raise the awareness in your fingertips. You are supposed to ground your hands, though contact with the earth, thereafter. It helps in dissipating tension and opens the energy pathways. After you have done these, you must start mudra practice.
If you are new to mudras, you can hold each for 5 minutes. After you have become comfortable, you can expand the time to 15-20 minutes. The longer you hold it, the better it is for you.
Conclusion
It is important for you to learn and practice mudras under an expert yoga teacher. Maharishi Yoga Peeth is the best place for your yogic endeavours. The school being a reputed one, gives good quality yoga education to learners. When you seek admission to a good school, you get proper guidance from the teachers. The teachers are well-educated in their specialization and have years of experience as well. You also end up getting certified. So, you are not just gaining skills, but preparing for a career wherein you can guide others. Enroll in a yoga teacher training course in rishikesh and 300 hour yoga teacher training course in rishikesh today.
