Basic Yoga Mudra and their benefits

Five Fingers for Five Elements

* Thumb Fire * Index Air

* Middle Space

* Ring Earth

* Little Water

1. Gyan Mudra: Gesture of Knowledge

Simply join the tip of the thumb and the forefinger to form a circle. Leave the other fingers

joined and extended outwards, with the middle finger remains unfolded on the forefinger. This

mudra should be performed with both hands and the palms facing upwards. This mudra should

be done for long time duration as compared to other mudras that is 10-15 minutes.

This is the most basic yoga mudra that stands for knowledge and concentration. You will have

to do this mudra in the morning while being seated in padmasana. This mudra improves

concentration, cures insomnia and helps you to manage anger problems. This mudra represents

the union between man and the divine. This mudra increases our grasping power and sharpens

our memory.

2. Agni Mudra: Gesture of Fire

First bend your ring finger so that you can touch the base of the thumb and press it with the

thumb on the second phalanx keeping the other fingers straight. This mudra should be

performed with both hands and palms facing in upward direction.

This mudra symbolizes our inner fire which works great in preventing and curing many digestive

disorders. It also helps to get rid of our excess body fat and lowers our laziness quotient. It is

beneficial for diabetics and people with cholesterol too. This mudra is for balancing the 'fire'

element of the body. You can do this mudra only on empty stomach early in the morning. This

is the weight loss mudra; it helps to burn fats and also speeds up the process of digestion.

3. Vayu Mudra: Gesture of Air

First bend your index finger at the base of the thumb and press with your thumb on the second

phalanx, keeping the other fingers straight. This mudra should be performed with both hands

and the palms facing in upward direction.

This mudra is for balancing the 'air' element of your body. This mudra can be done while

sitting, standing or lying down at any time of the day. It helps to release the excess air from the

body reducing chest pain due to gas.

4. Shunya Mudra (Akash Mudra): Gesture of Space

First join the tip of the thumb and the middle finger to form a circle, keeping the other fingers

straight. It has to be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.

This mudra balances our space element in the body. It helps our body in achieving the other

energies inside our body. The zero or 'shunya' mudra is especially for your ears. This hand

gesture helps to reduce earaches and also helps people who are going deaf due to age or

disease.

5. Prithvi Mudra: Gesture of Earth

Just join the tip of the thumb and the ring finger as to form a circle, keeping the other fingers

straight. It is same as agni mudra but the only difference here is to form the circle. This mudra

should be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.

This Mudra helps in balancing the Earth element of universe within the body. It also re-charges

the root chakra aligning it with the earth energies. This mudra creates an immense energy in

our body. It centralizes our soul energy which makes us more powerful. People losing energy in

an faster rate or the person who feels dizzy all the time should practice this mudra daily for five

minutes. The benefits of this mudra are that it improves blood circulation, increases patience

and also helps to strengthen your bones and muscles.

6. Varun Mudra (Jal Mudra): Gesture of Water

First join the tip of the thumb and little finger as to form a circle keeping the other fingers

straight. It has to be executed with both hands and the palms facing upward.

Jal mudra balances the water element in our body. It restores the fluid balance treating the

dryness (dry skin, dry mouth, and dry eyes) and other disorders of kidneys and bladder. This

mudra is for enhancing your beauty. It makes your skin glow because it makes the fluids in your

body flow and keeps your skin moisturised.

7. Pran Mudra:

This mudra should be executed while sitting in a comfortable position (in Sukhasana) focusing

mainly on the breathing system. Allow the tips of the little finger and ring finger to touch the tip

of the thumb and leave the other fingers straight. Keep both hands and palms facing upward

direction.

This mudra symbolizes the life force. By doing this mudra the dormant energetic power of life is

awakened. It also develops health and activity in the body. It enhances the immunity power,

strengthens and rejuvenates the body.

This is the mudra of 'life' that can be done at any point of time during the day. This yoga gesture

improves your immune system, increases the sharpness of your vision and helps you to feel

energetic by fighting fatigue.

8. Surya Mudra:

Surya mudra basically commemorates the energy of the sun. You must do it early in the

morning to harness the sun's energy.

9. Ling Mudra:

This mudra imitates the symbol of the male phallus and that is why it is supposed to produce

heat in the body. This mudra increases your libido and helps to get rid of cold related health

problems.

10. Apaan Mudra: Gesture of the vital air Apana

Apana, means air that runs in our body.

The tip of thumb, ring and middle finger should be joined first while making the forefinger

touching the base of the thumb and the little finger straight. This mudra should be executed

with both hands and the palms facing upward.

This mudra is also called of gesture of the heart for its influence upon the heart and blood

pressure. It reduces the gas content of our body.

This is a very versatile mudra that benefits almost every one. . This mudra energizes and helps

in governing all forms of elimination and reproduction of our body. The apaan mudra cleanses

your body of toxic water. It helps to deal with urinary problems and also makes bowel

movements regular

11. Matangi Mudra Gesture of the Goddess Matangi:

Join the hands first at stomach height, palms touching each other and fingers facing in

upward direction. Entwine your right hand fingers with those of the left except the

middle fingers that remains straight and joined.

This matangi mudra helps in energizing the body and soul developing our harmony.