You can create different postures with your hands. They are called ‘mudras’, a Sanskrit word translated as a gesture. It is said that mudras can influence the physical, emotional, and spiritual energies of your body.
A mudra could be a simple hand position or it may involve the whole body. It’s a very common practice in the East, and they are used by yogis and meditation practitioners in both Hindu Dharma and Buddha Dharma.
According to Ayurveda, mudras with the combination of different types of meditation help energize different parts of the body. There are more than 100 known mudras developed by various ancient Rishis and Yogis.
Here are some of the most common 10 powerful mudras:
1. Gyan Mudra (Mudra of Knowledge)
How to do it: Use your ring finger to touch the thumb, and keep your other fingers straight out.
Benefits: Improves your creativity, memory, and knowledge. It brings clarity to thoughts and prevents insomnia.
Practice: You can do it any time while sitting, standing, or lying in bed.
2. Prithvi Mudra (Mudra of Earth)
How to do it: Use your ring finger and touch the thumb. Keep other fingers straight out.
Benefits: Increases life force, improves your physical and spiritual elements, expands your body functionality
Practice: Can be done at anytime
3. Varuna Mudra (Mudra of water)
How to do it: Use your pinky finger to touch the thumb, and keep your other fingers straight out
Benefits: Helps to retain water, helps to keep your emotional state balanced, and helps during cramps and constipation, while also regulating the menstrual cycle
Practice: Do it three times each day for 15 minutes
4. Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Air)
How to do it: Use your thumb and wrap it around the index finger. Keep the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits: Helps during anxiety and stress. If you are impatient and indecisive, you can use it
Practice: Do it three times each day for 10-15 minutes
5. Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness)
How to do it: Use the tip of your thumb and wrap it over the middle finger. Keep the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits: If you have ear pains, you can use this mudra. It also helps to reduce dullness and boost your confidence and mental cognition.
Practice: Do it daily for 40 to 60 minutes. If you have ear pains, do it for 4 to 5 minutes daily.
6. Surya Mudra (Mudra of the Sun)
How to do it: Use the ring finger and bend it by using your thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers straight.
Benefits: It helps in stimulating the thyroid gland, and improves your digestive mechanisms. It also helps in weight loss, reducing anxiety and stress.
Practice: Do it twice daily for 5 to 15 minutes.
7. Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life)
How to do it: Use your ring and pinky fingers. Bend them both to meet the thumb. Your index and middle finger should be kept straight out.
Benefits: Improves life force, and brings stability to your mind, body, and spirit. It also improves your immunity and motivation. It is sure to make you less lazy.
Practice: It can be done anytime.
8. Apana Mudra (Mudra of Digestion)
How to do it: Use your middle and ring fingers and bend them under the thumb. Keep your remaining fingers straight up.
Benefits: It regulates your excretory system and improves your bowel movements. It also helps in relieving constipation and piles.
Practice: Do it daily for 45 minutes
9. Apana Vayu Mudra (Mudra of the Heart)
How to do it: Use your index finger and bend it to touch the base of the thumb. Your middle and ring fingers should bend to touch the tip of the thumb. Keep your pinky straight up.
Benefits: Improves your circulatory system. Has the capacity to heal your heart, especially the heartburn. It also can help in reducing gas.
Practice: Do it two times a day for 15 minutes
10. Linga Mudra (Mudra of Heat)
How to do it: Use both your hands for this. Interlock them, except for your thumb on the left hand which should be pointing up. Use your right thumb and wrap it around your left thumb so that it touches the index finger of the right hand.
Benefits: It helps to stimulate the heat of the body, and reduce phlegm and congestion. It is also good for your respiratory system.
Practice: You can do it anytime, but don’t overdo it.