05 Yoga Mudras: Benefits, How To Do?

Mudra means the gesture or seal to make our body more relaxed. Yoga mudras are basically symbolic gestures that are practised with the hands and fingers. They help in keeping our mind as well as our body free and in a relaxed state. While performing Yoga, we use our body in many ways, but ultimately our focus is to have some development inward. Mudras are powerful tools that help in doing so. The term mudra means the hand gestures during meditation that carry specific goals of channelling our body’s energy flow. There are about 399 known mudras that have been developed over the centuries. Here are 07 commonly used mudras that have been championed for centuries in providing health and empowerment.

01: Gyan Mudra

It is the first yoga mudra pose known as Gyan Mudra or also known as the Mudra of Knowledge. Gyan Mudra is probably the most familiar mudra in mainstream society. The best time to do it is before sunrise, at the time of Brahma Muhurta. Gyan mudra helps in improving our concentration and sharpen our memory. For performing this mudra, touch the tip of your index finger with the tip of the thumb. The other three fingers can be kept straight or just keep it free. It doesn’t affect even if the other three fingers are slightly bent. This mudra is a very commonly used mudra while practising meditations.

Gyan Mudra

Benefits

Gyan mudra, as the name suggests, it helps in increasing your concentration and memory power.
This mudra helps in sharpening the brainpower.
This mudra has the ability to cure insomnia.
By this mudra, one can heal all mental and psychological disorders like anger, stress, anxiety or even depression.

02: Vayu Mudra

This mudra can be practised in any posture i.e. while standing, sitting, or an assumed supine posture. For this mudra, fold your index finger. After folding the index finger, you can prominently see two bones of that finger. These two bones are called phalanx bones. Press the second bone by the thumb. Must keep the rest of the three fingers as extended as possible.
Anyone can do this any time of the day as per their convenience. There is no need for an empty stomach to perform this Mudra. You can also perform this mudra with a full stomach.

Benefits

Vaayu mudra balances the air element within our body. This mudra helps in releasing excess wind from stomach and body, and hence reduces rheumatic and chest pain and helping in relieving abdominal gas.

Vayu Mudra

03: Prithvi Mudra

For practising this mudra, touch the tip of your ring finger with the tip of your thumb. While pressing the tips of these two fingers, make sure that you kept the rest of the fingers extended out.
It is generally advised to perform this mudra in the morning. However, you can do it at any time of the day and for any duration. For better results, sit in a padmasana keeping the palms of both the hands-on your knees with straight elbows. You can perform this asana when you feel as stressed out and exhausted. Padmasana along with this mudra will immediately perk you up. This mudra also helps in glowing skin.

Benefits

This mudra helps in improving blood circulation throughout the body.
Also helps in increases patience and tolerance along with the concentration power.
Might helps in strengthening weak and lean bones.
Prithvi mudra helps in reducing weakness, exhaustion, and dullness of mind by creating a grounding effect.
This mudra may make you beautiful and will provide a natural glow to your skin.

Prithvi Mudra

04: Varun Mudra

This mudra is considered as the best yogic mudra that helps in building outer beauty. Varun Mudra brings a positive effect on your skin and keeps it away from all problems. This can also help in overall health. For doing this mudra, lightly touch the tip of your little finger with the tip of your thumb. The rest of the fingers must be kept extended. There is no specific time to perform this mudra. You can perform this mudra at any time of the day and in any position, but it is advised to sit cross-legged while doing this mudra.

Benefits

Varun Mudra helps in the following ways:

1.Prevents Dehydration

2. Helps in Moisturization of Skin

3. Helps in Reducing Cholesterol

4. Prevent Skin Diseases

5. Cleans Blood

Varun Mudra

05: Adi Mudra (First Gesture)

This mudra is a symbolic and ritualistic gesture of the hands and generally used in spiritual yoga practice. It helps in keeping our mind and nervous system calm. For performing Adi mudra, you have to keep your thumb at the base of the small finger and the remaining fingers curl over the thumb, forming a light fist. Now, place your hands on the knees with palms facing upwards and take deep comfortable breaths.

Benefits

This mudra helps in relaxing the nervous system and helps to reduce snoring. It also helps in balancing the flow of oxygen to the brain and increases the capacity of the lungs.

Adi Mudra