The Five Major Yoga Mudras

The Sanskrit word mudra means sign or seal or gesture. The science of Yoga mudras gives us the power to alter or redirect our energy flow in the entire body. They act as a channel to regulate the prana inside the body thus increasing the longevity of both mind and body by bringing our energy body into perfect alignment.

Let's understand the five major yoga mudras:

1. Hasta Mudras

One of the most heard of, hasta mudras are hand gestures practiced often during meditation, and pranayama. The tips of the fingers act as nodes of the network of energies inside the body. When these energy centers are in harmony and balance, the body is at its peak health and equilibrium. Hands are considered to be the control panel of the body. As per Ayurveda, the five elements (Pancha Mahabutas) – fire, water, air, earth, and ether are represented by our five fingers.

Some of the hasta mudras and their benefits:

· Padma mudra – Calms the anxious mind, enhances creativity, and heals the heart chakra.

· Ganesh mudra – Reduces neck pain, increases lung capacity and boosts self confidence.

· Surabhi mudra – You can practice this during manifestation. It is know as the wish fulfilment gesture!

· Hakini mudra – One of the best mudras to balance the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), and increase one’s brain power.

· Hasta mudras of five elements – varun, vayu, akash, prithvi, and agni.

2. Mana Mudras

Mana means head. Mana mudras involve the five sense organs (ears, eyes, nose, lips, and tongue) to form the gesture. These mudras form a paramount part of meditation and Kundalini yoga because their power helps one switch off from the outer distractions in quite a short span of time.

Some of the mana mudras and their benefits:

· Bhujangini mudra – Regulates eating habits, cures digestive disorders, and improves respiration.

· Nasikagra Drishti (nosetip gazing)- Improves concentration, relieves stress, stabilizes and calms the mind.

· Shanmukhi mudra – Improves hearing ability, and adds facial glow.

· Shambhavi mudra (eyebrow centre gazing) – Opens the third eye and activates psychic abilities.

3. Kaya mudra

Kaya means body. Ayurveda defines kaya as the anabolic character of the human body. Kaya mudras involve the complete body to form a gesture because of which they look similar to various asanas. The aim is to hold a gesture which requires intense concentration.

Some of the kaya mudras and their benefits:

· Pashinee mudra – It tones abdominal organs and increases spine flexibility.

· Tadagi mudra – Great for diabetic patients. It reduces obesity and eases physical stress.

· Manduki mudra – Enhances taste buds, prevents graying of hair.

4. Bandha mudras

Bandha mean lock. It is an internal mudra, also called ‘body lock’ as it locks the vital energy of the body. It is a combination of mudras with bandhas. Bandha also means a dam. Just like a dam controls the flow of water, the bandha mudra controls the flow of energy in such a way that energies are locked in a particular part of the body to stimulate it. Some of the bandha mudras awaken the kundalini and must only be done in the guidance of a guru.

Bandha mudras and their benefits:

· Jalandhar bandha – Great for thyroid patients. It prevents the disorders in the thyroid gland, and corrects double chin.

· Mula bandha – It stimulates the nervous system and awakens the kundalini.

· Uddiyana bandha – Improves digestion and strengthens the abdominal muscles.

· Maha mudra – One of the most powerful bandhas along with mula bandha. It destroys all five sufferings, strengthens the muscles, and enhances immunity.

5. Adhara mudras

Adhara mudras are also called perineal mudras as they involve the organs in the pelvic region. These mudras harness the sexual energy by stimulating the sacral chakra. They redirect the pranic energy from the lower centers of the body to the brain or upper centers.

Adhara mudras and their benefits are :

· Maha veda mudra - Awakens psychic facilities, and stimulates the endocrine system.

· Vajroli mudra – Prevents premature ejaculation, improves vigor and sexual potency

· Ashwini mudra – Highly recommended for people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Effective in healing piles, hemorrhoids.

· Maha bedha mudra – Removes the fear of death and decay and prepares the mind for meditation.

Yoga mudras are not meant to mitigate our worries overnight. Our bodies take time to accept any good or bad slew of things, likewise, yoga mudras take time to propel your body in a positive direction but once they start doing it, our bodies imbibe all the positivity of the environment and naturally aligns itself with the cycles of nature.

Applied knowledge brings real changes. So do apply the learnings you received from this article! Lots of gratitude and strength to you, dear seeker!😊