Mudras

Mudras have been practiced since thousands of years by ancient civilizations across the world. The practice of mudras, meaning gestures, is mentioned in ancient texts, which goes to show the depth of wisdom possessed by the people of the past.

Five Elements and Mudras

The five elements in the universe, namely, earth, water, fire, air and space are present in humans; they govern the body and mind. These five elements need to be balanced to support physical and psychological health of humans.

Every finger is associated with an element.

Thumb - Fire

Index finger - Air

Middle finger - Space

Ring finger - Earth

Water - Little finger

Positioning specific fingers in specific patterns stimulate function of associated element.

Benefits of Practicing Mudras

Every mudra has specific benefits to offer. Practicing mudras can offer loads of health benefits including:

• Boosts immune function
• Balances the three doshas, namely, vatha, pitha and kapha
• Supports lung health
• Regulates heart function
• Improves brain function
• Regular practice of the pose helps to strengthen the nervous system.
• Promotes flow of life force
• Supports skin health
• Regulates digestive function
• It is an effective yoga pose for insomnia
• Relieves stress and promotes calm

We will cover various mudras and their benefits in this section.