The human eye can see only a fraction of what actually exists in this Universe. While everyone is familiar with yoga poses and other tangible yoga practices. However, have you ever thought about the subtle energy present within your body? That is where Yoga Mudras come into play.
What are Yoga Mudras?
Entirely based in Ayurveda, Yoga Mudras can be loosely translated to hand gestures. Furthermore, the sole purpose of practicing Yoga Mudras is to enhance the flow of energy present in your body. These are practiced to arrange your body in a certain way.
Certain hand or finger gestures allow the movement of energy in a particular way. Furthermore, various Yoga Mudras are practiced along with the regulation of breath. This helps in pinpointing the subtle energy flowing through your body to certain parts of your body.
How Do Yoga Mudras Work?
As per the Ayurveda, various diseases emerge within your body due to an imbalance in your body. It could be due to lack or excess of the five elements in your body.
The fingers of your hands have a certain amount of each element. In short, fingers can act as electrical circuits that ensure the proper working of your body. When you practice various Yoga Mudras, you are working towards the easy flow of energy. Not just that, it also means balancing the five elements in your body.
Practicing Yoga Mudras creates a subtle connection between your unconscious and conscious reflexes. It balances the internal functioning that reflects on the sensory organs or body parts. In short, it is about creating a synchronization within your subtle and physical body.
Different Types of Yoga Mudras & Their Benefits
Gyan Mudra
One of the most extensively used Yoga Mudras is the Gyan or Chin Mudra. It is the easiest to practice. Usually, yogis practice the Gyan Mudra while doing different types of Pranayama or meditation practice.
Just join your index finger and thumb while keeping all the other fingers calm and relaxed. Make sure your palm is facing upwards while practicing the Gyan Mudra.
Benefits:
- Enhances concentration
- Improves learning
- Heals insomnia
- Relieves headache
- Manages diabetes
Vayu Mudra
Vayu Mudra balances the air element in your body. To practice this Mudra, fold your index finger and place your thumb on top of the first bone. Keep the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits:
- Releases gas or bloating in your stomach
- Eases constipation
- Heals chest pain
- Makes you immune against cold or fever
- Strengthen your hair
Surya Mudra
This works on the metabolic rate of your body. Fold your ring finger and place your thumb on the first fold of your ring finger. Make sure you keep the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits:
- Balances out the bad cholesterol
- Helps in weight loss and extra fat
- Enhances digestion
- Lustre your skin
- Improves metabolism
Prana Mudra
If you want to re-energize your body, practice Prana energy. It also balances the life element in your body. Bring your ring finger and little finger together. Touch both the finger to the tip of your thumb while keeping the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits:
- Makes immune system strong
- Encourages flow of vital forces
- Minimizes high blood pressure
- Proper circulation of blood
- Relieves stomach burning
Prithvi Mudra
Practicing the Prithvi Mudra helps in the faster recovery of muscle tissues and ligaments. Moreover, it works on vital body parts like hair, nails, or bones. Join the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb. Keep all other fingers straight and relaxed while practicing this Mudra.
Benefits:
- Relieves skin rashes and diseases
- Deals with premature aging
- Overcome fatigue
- Improves bone health
- Strengthen muscle tissues
Wrap Up
The above-mentioned are one of the best Yoga Mudras you should include in your yoga routine. Moreover, along with Yoga Mudras, there are Yoga Bandhas that holds a prominent place in yoga practice.
So, what you can do is enroll in certified yoga teacher training to learn about both the elements of yoga. Further, you can use the earned knowledge in your yoga session to get the most out of your practice. Just make sure you practice them consistently along with other yogic practices.
Also Read: Sushumna Nadi