It is believed that our health is in our fingers! Our fingers are particularly blessed with virtues of wellness. And we all know that the physical body is made up of five elements namely, Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Sky. And all the five fingers correspond to the five basic elements viz. Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
- Thumb – The fire (Agni)
- Index finger – The air (Vayu)
- Middle finger – The ether (Aakasha)
- Ring finger – The earth (Prithvi)
- Small finger – The water (Jala)
Here's a brief explanation about the five elements theory
The Five Element Theory The five element theory is that our bodies are made up of the 5 elements: Fire, air, ether (space), earth and water. The model says that the five elements are always with us, and that the balance between them changes from person to person and at every stage of the day. Each element is associated with a different chakra, or wheel of energy in the body. Each element is also associated with a particular finger in yoga and Ayervedic medicine, as shown above. Regular practice of a yoga mudra/hand gesture [10-20 minutes per day in a meditative seat], can increase a certain element in the body and decrease another and so balance these elements and your mind and body. So choose your Mudras wisely.1
Before proceeding further, we must understand the broader purpose of mudras.
The purpose of a mudra Mudras activate and create a circuit of prana in the body. This circuit channels the prana in a specific way to create subtle effects and beneficial changes in different parts of the body system. People fold their fingers in various mudras. It is little known however that Mudra science is tattva yoga. Tattva Yoga is based on science of elements.”2
So, to bring back the balance in the five elements, there are some specific methods of touching and aligning the fingers with each other, Which results into health benefits.
Meaning of Yoga Mudras Mudra means “seal,” “gesture,” or “mark.” Yoga mudras are symbolic gestures often practiced with the hands and fingers. They facilitate the flow of energy in the subtle body and enhance one's journey within.3
Here are 10 basic hand mudras which are commonly practised:
GYAN MURA or MUDRA OF KNOWLEDGE
Procedure: Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers extended.
Duration: There is no particular time duration for this Mudra. Practise by sitting, standing, or lying on bed whenever you have time.
Benefits:
- Increases memory power and sharpens the brain.
- Enhances concentration and prevents Insomnia.
- If it is practised regularly, it will cure all psychological disorders, such as Mental, Hysteria, Anger and Depression.
PRITHVI MUDRA or MUDRA OF EARTH
Procedure: Tip of the third finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the other three fingers extended.
Time Duration: There is no particular time duration for this Mudra - practise it anytime.
Benefits:
- It helps to increase the weight for weak people.
- It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to glow.
- It makes the body active by keeping it healthy
VARUNA MUDRA or MUDRA OF WATER
Procedure: Tip of little finger touches the tip of thumb, with the other three fingers extended.
Time Duration: There is no particular time duration for this Mudra - practise it anytime.
Benefits:
- It retains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body.
- Prevents the pains of Gastroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage
VAYU MUDRA or MUDRA OF AIR
Procedure: Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with thumb keeping the other three fingers extended.
Time Duration: Practise this Mudra for 45 minutes, in 12 to 24 hours. For best results practise it for two months.
Benefits:
- It cures Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson’s disease, and paralysis, without additional medicine.
- It is useful for Cervical Spondylosis ('wear and tear' of the vertebrae and discs in the neck), paralysis of the face, and pinched nerves in neck.
- It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach.
SHUNYA MUDRA or MUDRA OF EMPTINESS
Procedure: Keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with thumb.
Time Duration: Practise the Mudra for 40 to 60 minutes daily, until the disease is cured.
Benefits:
- It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes.
- It is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.
SURYA MUDRA or MUDRA OF SUN
Procedure: Bend the third finger and press it with thumb.
Time Duration: Practise this Mudra 2 x daily, for 5 to 15 minutes.
Benefits:
- It reduces cholesterol in the body, and helps in weight reduction.
- It reduces anxiety.
- It corrects indigestion problems.
PRANA MUDRA or MUDRA OF LIFE
Procedure: Bend the third finger and the little finger and touch the tip of thumb with the finger tips, keeping the remaining two fingers (index and middle) extended.
Time Duration: There is no particular time duration for this Mudra - practise it anytime.
Benefits:
- It improves immunity.
- It improves the power of eyes, and reduces eye related disease.
APANA MUDRA or MUDRA OF DIGESTION
Procedure: The tips of the middle finger and third finger touch the tip of thumb while the other two fingers (indexand little) are extended.
Time Duration: Practise this Mudra daily for minimum 45 minutes.
Benefits:
- It regulates diabetes.
- It cures constipation and haemorrhoids.
- It helps excreting the normal waste regularly.
APANA VAYU MUDRA or MUDRA OF HEART
Procedure: The tips of the middle finger and the third finger touch the tip of thumb, while the index finger touches the base of thumb and the little finger is extended.
Time Duration: Practise this Mudra as many times as possible. Heart patients and Hypertension patients should practise it for at least 15 minutes, 2 x daily twice, for best results.
Benefits:
- It strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation.
- It regulates excretory system.
- It redeems gastric trouble.
LINGA MUDRA or MUDRA OF HEAT
Procedure: Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand.
Time Duration: This Mudra should be moderately practised as it produces heat in the body. If overly practised, this Mudra can cause sweating, even in winter.
Benefits:
- It stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungs.
- It cures severe cold and bronchial infection.
- It invigorates the body.
I hope you'll start practicing one or all of these very soon. TBH, I wanted to write, or I'll write, seperately about each of them but the comments and support I got on the yoga post #846316 yesterday reinforced me to give everyone a little push to start it right away.
Let me know if you have any confusion or question related to these mudras or Yoga in general, I'd be happy to answer all of them.
Wish you all a beautiful and healthy life.
Thank you for reading.