Yoga at your finger tips

Mudhra Yoga

Mudhra yoga is a part of the science of yoga. It is simple and easy to practice.
It involves using our fingers. Yoga mudhras are part of Hatha Yoga. Mudras use
a system of lightly touching the finger tip hunckles or base of the fingers to t
he thumb always to the thumb
to produce vital currents.
The basic concept of Ayurveda / Yoga, is that all matter in this universe is mad
e up of five elements. These Pancha mahabhuta are Earth, water, fire, wind and spa
ce (ether or sky). Earth represents the mass, the solid heavy state, water repre
sents the fluid the free flowing liquid state, fire represents light and a subst
ance s ability to undergo change, wind is represented by the gaseous state, and et
her, represents the space which encompass the matter. The state of these pancha
bhutas is the body should remain balanced for good health. If any one of these b
hutas is disturbed, increased or decreased, this causes body disorder.
The five fingers we have in our hands, represent the five bhutas. Each finger ha
s affinity or relates to one of these five elements.
1. Thumb
represents fire energy
2. Index finger
Wind.
3. Middle finger Space, ether
4. Ring finger Earth
5. Little finger Water
Practicing yoga mudhras with the five fingers will promote good health.
General ways to do Mudhra Yoga
1. The mudhras are better practiced when the sitting posture adopted is padmasana .
Sit in padmasana and start the mudhras. But you can do the mudras, while travel
ling, in the normal sitting position, standing, while watching T.V, or while rea
ding
2. Do mudhras with both hands at the same time. However, Jnana mudhra can be done w
ith one hand.
3. The mudhras can be done by anyone, young or old, at any time. Only the shunya
Mudhra should be done only by people with ear trouble.
4. In all mudhras, the thumb, representing the fire, must always be included.
5. Do not press the fingers too hard. Fingers should be touching each orther, ge
ntly.
6. It will be better if your can do the mudhra exercise for 45 minutes a day. Bu
t start with 10/15 minutes duration of time and gradually increase.
7. Mudras done with right hand benefits the left side parts of the body and thos
e done with left hand, benefits the right side parts of the body.
There are hundreds of Mudhras. A few important ones are given below:1. Prana Mudhra
Bending the ring and index fingers to gether, reach out and touch the tip of
thumb.
Benefits:- This important mudhra rejuvenate the tired body, improves vision and
cures nervous debility. If done with Jnana mudhra cures insomnia. If done with A
pana mudhra, prevent diabeties. It activates the immune system and good for gene
ral health.
2. Jnana Mudhra
In this, you combine wind and fire by touching to gether lightly the tip of inde
x finger to the tip of the thumb. The other fingers stand straight.
Benefits:- Increases flow of blood to the brain, enhancing brain function and me
mory
power. As said earlier, if done with prana mudhra, cures insomnia.
3. Apana Mudhra
Join together the tips of the middle and ring fingers (Ether & Earth) to the bas
e of the thumb (fire).
Benefits: Helps reduce diabetic urinary problems, clears blocked nose and easy
movement of bowels and urine. Increases sweating and cleanse the body of toxins.
4. Apana Vayu Mudhra (Mrita
Sanjivani mudhra)
Join the tip of the index finger (wind) to the base of the thumb (fire). Then li
ghtly place the tips of your middle and ring fingers (Ether & earth) on the tip

of your thumb.
Benefits: This mudhra also called Hridaya mudhra benefits the heart. It also helps
reducing high blood pressure, flatulence and head ache.
5. Vayu mudhra
The index finger lightly touches and presses the base of the thumb. The thumb cu
rls over and presses lightly the knuckle of the index finger.
Benefits: It helps reducing joint pains
rheumatism, arthrites and spondylosis. F
or best results practice with prana mudhra.
6. Prithvi mudhra
Touch the tip of the thumb (fire) to the tip of the ring finger (Earth)
Benefits: Refreshes the body and mind. Promotes peace of mind. Help lean persons
to put on weight.
7. Surya mudhra
Bend the ring finger (earth) and let its tip touch the base of the thumb (fire).
Let the thumb curl over and press the ring finger. It is preferable to this on
padmasana and with both hands.
Benefits: Reduces obesity, tension. Wakes you up from bethargy.
8. Varun mudhra
Touch the tip of the little finger (Water) with the tip of the thumb (fire).
Benefits: Good for treating kidney problems, blood impurities, dehydration, spra
ins in the limbs.
9. Linga mudhra
Place both palms to gether. Intertwine the fingers of right hand with that of le
ft hand. But keep the left thumb erect and out of the finger folds. Let the thum
b and index finger of the right hand clasp the left thumb lightly, then clasp th
e other fingers.
Benefits: This mudhra may better be done in winter as it increases body heat. It
is an excellent remedy for coughs and colds. Reduces body weight. Persons pract
icing this mudhra should take more milk, ghee, fruits and water.
10. Shunya Mudhra
This mudhra is an excellent remedy for ear problems. It the problem is in the ri
ght ear, one does this mudhra only with the right hand; and it is in the left ea
r, one does the mudhra only with the left hand.
Caution
1. If you do not have ear problems, do not do this mudhra. It may cause blockage
of ears.
2. Do not use both the hands while doing this mudhra
This mudra is done with middle finger (Ether) touching the base of the thumb (fi
re). The thumb curbs over and presses the knuckle of the middle finger.
Benefits: Patients with ear problems should do this mudhra as often as possible,
for 45 minutes at a time or for two 30 minutes periods.
11. Shanka mudhra
Hold the left hand thumb (fire) will the right hand. Let the left hand index fin
ger touch the right hand thumb. Press the righ hands folded fingers lightly, wit
h the remaining three finger of the left hand. Change hands, holding right hand
thumb with left hand and continue
Benefits: Relieves throat problems,improves voice, reduces thyroid problems and
improves digestion.
12. Akash Mudhara
Touch the tip of thumb (fire) with the tip of middle finger (Ether)
Benefits: Helps heart. Only when needed / required, this mudhra may be done.
Our ancient rishis believed that our finger
tips contain ends of sensitive nerve
s and the current flowing the fingers are regulated when you do mudhras.