Our cultures, traditions, Vedas, and Upnishads vividly reiterate the importance of mudras. As quoted by Sadhguru, “The word mudra literally means a seal. Mudras are a subtle science of rearranging your body in a certain way.” Hasta mudras are the gestures and movements done with hands. You’ll be astounded to know that not only yoga but many dance forms make the use of hasta mudras. For example, many hasta mudras of yoga are akin to hasta mudras of Bharatnatyam and Kathak.
So you’re an artist of Hasta mudras
Our hands have a plethora of acupunctural points that act as a medium to regulate the flow of prana through the body. The tips of the fingers act as the nodes or the endpoints of the nervous system which are connected to the brain. Thus while performing various hasta mudras we twitch, stretch, cross, press and bend our hands and fingers in a specific manner to ignite the connection with the brain. Thus these hasta mudras are beneficial in increasing memory and sharpness of mind. So while performing these mudras you’re actually creating a masterpiece!
Hasta mudras: a gold mine!
Well, the foremost benefit of performing hasta mudras is that it costs you nothing! That being said, enforcing the hasta mudras in your daily life can reap exemplary benefits. As mentioned earlier, it fosters your memory and sharpens your mind. Who knows you might impress your boss by smashing at the presentation, just because you had those sales figures by heart!
Many times, being in the regular practice of doing yoga can be overwhelmingly difficult. Your health might be subsiding or you might be pregnant. To your rescue comes the hasta mudras. They can be your evening tea partner. You can perform them while slurping your evening tea! You can even flex the delicacy of your hand movements while traveling in a car or public vehicle.
During times of excessive fear or anxiety, just sitting in a mediative position with Gyan mudra at your resue can be rejuvenating.
1. Vayu Mudra
Vayu means air. This mudra maintains the balance of Vayu in the body.
How to do it?
The index finger is touched with the tip of the thumb. The thumb remains atop the index finger. Exert a slight pressure on the index finger. The rest of the fingers are allowed to stay straight and joined.
Benefits
· Helpful in treating diseases like Arthritis, Sciatica, Gas, and Gout.
· Helpful in treating cold and cough.
· If practiced daily, relieves constipation
2. Akash Mudra
This mudra depicts one of the most important elements i.e sky or space. Without the space being involved, it is impossible to make use of any other element. Space provides a trajectory for all the other elements to function.
How to do it?
Join the thumb and the middle finger with each other. Don’t exert too much force on them. Keep the rest of the fingers straight and apart.
Benefits
· Helps in treating vertigo
· Studies have shown proof that it is also helpful in giving relief from ear problems.
3. Prithvi Mudra
Prithvi mudra deals with the earth element of the body. this mudra makes the use of a ring finger also called Anamika. Anamika represents the earth element and the thumb represents fire. In this mudra, the fire element is a little submissive and the earth element is dominant.
How to do it?
Join the ring finger and the thumb and keep all the other fingers straight and intact.
Benefits
· Beneficial for strengthening brittle nails
· Relieves you of skin diseases and rashes
· Reduces fatigue issues
4. Agni Mudra
Agni Mudra or the Surya Mudra is a fierce mudra that is related to the fire element of the body. The fire element maintains the appropriate body temperature and sustains the metabolism. Thus, practicing this mudra helps in curing acidity. In this mudra, the fire element plays a paramount role and is dominating the Prithvi element i.e ring finger.
How to do it?
Bend the ring finger inwards and place the thumb over it. The position should be such that the phalanx bone of the thumb overlaps the ring finger. Press the ringer finger with the thumb. This is done to overpower the earth element.
Benefits
· Cures indigestion
· Controls body temperature
· Gets you rid of pimples and acne
· Helps in weight loss
5. Varun mudra
Water is paramount for all living creaures.70% of our body is made up of water. The Varun mudra balances the water element. Thus, if you are suffering from dry skin, gastric problems, Varun mudra is at your rescue.
How to do it?
Join the little finger with the thumb and keep the rest of the fingers straight and stretched.
Benefits
· Regular practice of this hasta mudra helps in treating dehydration
· This leads to glowing skin
· Treats most of the gastric problems that arise due to water deficiency
· Heals dry lips and skin
· Calms down the anxiety
6. Shunya Mudra
Shunya mudra is practiced to compensate for the imbalance created by the overpowering Akash element in the body. Here the fire element is inflicted to control the Akash element. Thus this mudra makes use of the thumb and middle finger. Shunya mudra if practiced for 20 minutes daily can lead account for exemplary results in getting you rid of the ear pain, thyroid, and anxiety.
How to do it?
Bend the middle finger fully and press it with the thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers straight and stretched. This mudra might feel a little painful in the beginning but eventually, you’ll get accustomed to it.
Benefits
· It alleviates the numbness in any part of the body.
· As it works on awakening the intuition, it helps treat partial deafness
· Helps in treating thyroid.
7. Brahma Mudra
Brahma mudra works on the mental aspect. This helps in treating depression, anxiety, other mental disturbances. Due to its mind-boggling results in many depression patients, many therapists suggest Brahma mudra.
How to do it?
Fold the thumb inward and coil all the fingers around it. The thumb should not be visible. It must look like a fist (with the thumb inside).
Benefits
· Subsides all the negativity that has been clogging the mind.
· Provides ecstasy or mental wellness.
· Helps maintain calm and composure even during the most stressful situations.
8. Prana mudra
Prana Mudra ignites a strong force inside the body. Prana means life in English. This mudra acts as a conduit for all five elements and ignites a vital force within the body.
How to do it?
Bring the ring finger and the little finger together to join with the thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers straight and stretched.
Benefits
· It heals ailments like
a) Skin rashes
b) Ulcer
c) Acidity
d) Fatigue
· Also cures frustration and anger issues
· Improves eyesight
Final word
Hasta mudras have ultimate healing powers. Regular practice of these mudras not only rejuvenates you but also cures a plethora of ailments. One of the amazing things about practicing these is that they can be easily done anywhere. You just need to sit in a calm and mediative position. Relax your body and practice these mudras for 20 minutes every day. Every finger has its own importance about which we are unaware. Executing the right practices though yoga can guarantee miraculous results. So keep practicing!
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