Yoga Mudras

The different types of Yoga Mudra aid a person to achieve better health and mental condition through proper and regular practice. Yoga Mudra is a gesture, often done with hands, to symbolise a closing up or a seal. A mudra is an energy seal. It is a gesture or posture that allows us to control the flow of our energy or life force Mudras are not restricted to hand gestures, but can be done with the eyes, body postures or take the form of cleansing rituals. The gestures themselves are symbolic of various states of consciousness. However, certain gestures can lead to the state of consciousness that they represent. So, practising a mudra can alter your state of consciousness. Yogic Mudras are weapons to use the energy in a better manner in a specific direction. Yoga Mudra has a tremendous effect on posture and thought process. It is an easy process of exhaling and inhaling and can be done sitting in Easy Pose or Sukasana, which is a comfortable cross legged sitting posture. Practicing the different types of mudras for health is considered good as it provides physical, mental, as well as spiritual benefits. Mudras, also known as hand yoga, typically involves placing the hands and fingers in certain positions as described in the Vedas. 

1. Gyan Mudra:

This is the first mudra known as Gyan Mudra or the Mudra of Knowledge.
Benfits: It Removes all the negative thoughts and makes you Positive.This mudra Develops Your IQ and sharpens the memory.It helps to keep irritation, anger and anxiety. 

  

Gyana Mudra

2.Vayu mudra:

As the name suggests vaayu mudra, it balances the air element within your body. This mudra releases excess wind from stomach and body thereby reducing rheumatic and chest pain.This Mudra is also said to help with the uncontrollable tremors experienced by those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

 

Vayu Mudra

3.Varuna Mudra: This Mudra is very good to get rid of the excess mucous that collects in the stomach or lungs. 

Benefits: It activates fluid circulation within the body keeping it moisturized always.cures all skin issues like dryness, skin diseases and skin infections. and Moreover it also prevents the

appearance of pimples for a longer time.

Varuna Mudra

    

4.Prana Mudra:

Benefits:It instantly relieves pain of the joints and paralytic attacks. This mudra also helps alleviate any sort of problems concerned with the air (Vayu-Tatva), as it controls all the Vayu-

Tatva we have in the body.

Prana Mudra

5.Prithvi Mudra:

Benefits : It removes the deficiency of all the vitamins and nourishes the body. It also helps in

developing positive thoughts, thus filling one with freshness and happiness.

Prthvi Mudra

6.Apan mudra:

Benefits:It controls your Apan Vayu thus regulating your excretory organs (Intestines, Urinary tract and Ovaries).The Apan Vayu Mudra is supposed to be very beneficial for the heart.and This Mudra also extend to those who suffer from gastric problems such as heartburn and indigestion.

Apan Mura

6.Agni Mudra:

Benefits : It helps to dissolve the extra fat boosting metabolism and controls obesity.Quickens digetions.

Agni Mudra

7. Surya Mudra:

Benefits:It is excellent to check obesity and heaviness of the body.

 

8.Shunya Mudra:

Benefits:Practicing this mudra with full concentration will cure earache within 5-10 minutes at the most.It is also very helpful if someone is deaf or mentally challenged. But those who are handicapped.

shunya Mudra

Shankh Mudra:Benefits:One of the most important benefits of the Shankh Mudra is the positive effect that it has  on the respiratory system,It also helps to calm and center the mind.

Shankh Mudra

10.Linga Mudra:
Benefits:It also helps to boost the immune system and makes the body more resistant to colds and  infections. The benefits of the Linga Mudra also extend to the respiratory system and similar it can help to loosen accumulated phlegm from the throat.

Linga Mudra

11. Ganesh mudra:Benefits:The benefits of the Ganesha Mudra extend to the cardiac muscles, the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms.It also helps to release any pent up tension from the shoulders and  chest.

Ganesh Mudra

12.Kundalini Mudra:
Benefits:Awakens sexual force ,Stimulates regeneration and creativity.

Kundalini Mudra

13. Back Mudra: This is an excellent Mudra for backache. There are many reasons for backache. Stress is one of the prime causes. This Mudra is done with both hands. Benefits: The back mudra is an excellent way to treat backaches. It is said that the regular practice of this gesture can help relieve even the most acute pain in the back.

Back Mudra

14.Hakini Mudra:Benefits: Practicing hakini mudra on a regular basis helps an individual in the following ways, Improvement in concentration and memory,Promotion of coordination between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and Creation of a sense of calmness, which opens the mind to clearer thinking.

Hakini Mudra

15.Bronchial and Asthma Mudra:Benefits:Helpful to cure Asthama Attack,Give self confidence,and Improve breathing patterns.It also helps to boost the immune system and makes the body more resistant to colds and  infections. The benefits of the Linga Mudra also extend to the respiratory system and similar it can help to loosen accumulated phlegm from the throat.

Bronchial Mudra

Asthma Mudra

16.Sakthi Mudra:Shakti or the "Life force". In this Mudra, the ring fingers and the little fingers of both hands are placed together. While practicing this Mudra, proper focus and concentration should be given to the breathing process in the pelvic area and the exhalation should be lagged. Benefits:Shakti Mudra besides improving sleep and bringing effective result in insomnia and other sleeping disorders, it also helps to boost the internal physical energy and intensity.it also brings brings a pleasant relaxation to the pelvic area. 

Sakthi Mudra

17.Mukula Mudra:Mukula Mudra or Beak hand mudra and is very simple and effective one among the other mudras. Once the mudra is practised, it ensures an instant feeling of rejuvenation. It increases a sharp focus of healing energy, like a laser beam or a shaft of light, which is directed to the area of concern. It can be an effective healing tool too. It can be an effective healing tool too. Mukula Mudra is placed on the organ or body part that hurts or is tense. It is directs energy to a specific part. This mudra is an energy-giving and relaxing mudra.

Mukula Mudra

18.Tattva Yoga Mudra: Tattva Yoga Mudra the five fingers of the hand are regarded as representative symbols of these vital elements in the body. he thumb equates to the source of balancing the flow of Agni tattva. The vayu tattva is determined by the fourth or the index finger. The middle finger in the mudras regulates the akasha tattva in the body. The ring finger and little finger control the regulation of the Prithvi and the jala tattvas respectively. Proportionate balance of these tattvas helps the body to perform the natural maintenance of a vigorous body and a happy mind. In Tattva Yoga Mudra mudras can be categorised in a few ways like Prana mudra that deals with harmonic compounding of the jala, Prithvi and Agni tattvas. 

Tattava Yoga Mudra

19.Bharamara MudraBhramara is a Sanskrit word and Bhramara Mudra has its root in traditional Indian dance form. Place your index finger at the root of the thumb, and the tip of your thumb on the side of your middle fingernail. Extend the other two fingers. Do it with both hands.BenefitsBhramara mudra is beneficial and a boon to people suffering from respiratory allergies. People suffering from mucous congestion in the lungs and frontal sinus must do this mudra for a minimum of 10 minutes 4-5 times in a day. It can be practiced while walking or sitting.

Bhramara Mudra

20.Dhyani Mudra:Dhyani Mudra is a gesture of meditation and the mudra is like a submission. This is the classic meditation pose in which gods are seen sitting. In this mudra both the hands are placed like bowls in the lap. The left hand lies in the right hand and the thumbs touch each. The form of the hands limns a bowl which is the representation of the inbound freedom, purity, emptiness that corresponds to the incursion of the way towards spirituality. This gesture expresses overcoming the world of appearance through enlightenment, as well as the enlightened state of mind for which `samsara` and `nirvana` are component parts. In a special form of this mudra, the middle, ring, and little fingers of both hands lie on top one another and the thumbs and index finger of each hand, touching each other, form a circle. The constitution of the circle in this mudra symbolizes the world of appearance and the true nature of reality.

Dhyani Mudra

21.Kubera Mudra:
 Kubera Mudra is performed by joining together tip of your  thumb,index and middle finger. The other two fingers  needs to be bend so that can rest in the middle of your hand. This should be performed by both the hands. Benefits: Benefits of Kubera Mudra or Wealth mudra : This mudra  is practiced to increase the once confidence level and serenity. One should visualize his goals before doing this mudra. You can do this mudra for longer times .There is not  time restrictions for Wealth mudra.

Kubera Mudra

 22.Kaleswara Mudra:Place the finger pads of your middle finger together; touch the first two joints of the index fingers and touch your thumbs. Bend your other fingers inward. Point your thumbs toward your chest and spread your elbows to the outside. Inhale and exhale slowly 10 times. Then observe your breath and lengthen the pause after inhalation and after exhalation a little bit more.The Kalesvara Mudra calms the flood of thoughts; it calms agitated feelings. The more calm we become, the longer the time periods between the thoughts.This mudra can also be used to help change character traits, support memory and concentration, or eliminate addictive behavior.

Kaleswara Mudra

23.Kashyapa Mudra:Kashyapa Mudra for balance and protection against negative energies

Kashypa Mudra

24.Hridaya Mudra: Hridaya Mudra Bring the tip of your index finger to the root of the thumb. Join the tips of your middle and ring fingers with the tip of the thumb. The little finger remains straight. Place your hands on your knees with the palms upward. Close your eyes and relax your body, keeping it motionless for 25-30 minuts.The middle and ring fingers relate directly to the meridians connected with the heart. The thumb closes the circuit.Hridaya mudra may prove very helpful to release pent-up emotion and unburden your heart. It is an excellent mudra to practice during times of emotional conflict and crisis.circuit.Hridaya mudra may prove very helpful to release pent-up emotion and unburden your heart. 

Hridaya Mudra

25.Lotus Mudra:With the base of the palms together, touch the thumbs together and then the little fingers together. Invite the other three fingers to open as wide as possible, like a lotus flower opening. Place the hands in front of the heart with the thumbs facing toward the chest.Start the breath practice with a floating lotus flower. Inhale and float the flower from the heart up to the third eye (forehead). As you exhale draw the palms closed into prayer hands, squeezing the hands together and taking the elbows out wide to the sides as the hands lower back to heart center. As you start your next inhale, push the heels of the hands together and open into Lotus Mudra. As the flower moves up with breath, imagine that it is rising from the depths of mud and muck, reaching for sunlight. And as you exhale imagine that the petals are drawing inward toward each other to close. Complete ten rounds, breathing in and out with movement.
 

Lotus Mudra

26.Mathangi Mudra:An excited heart, restless legs and wandering mind are symptoms that arise due to weakened breath around solar plexus. Matangi mudra strengthens the breathing rhythm around solar plexus and balances energy in this area.Matangi mudra strengthens the digestive organs. Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Gall Bladder, Pancreas and Kidneys are benefited. Restlessness and excitement wanes. You feel calm and composed like a royal ruler. Digestion improves.

        Mathangi Mudra

27.Garuda Mudra:Clasp your thumbs and place your hands, the right on top of the left with the palms facing inwards, on your lower abdomen. Remain in this position for about ten breaths.The Garuda Mudra activates the blood flow and the circulation. It also helps alleviate exhaustion. One should do this three times a day for four minut.

Garuda Mudra

Makara Mudra:

Makara Mudra

Makra means Crocodile.the crocodile can mobilize tremendous strength, which it has built up during its endlessly long resting periods. Human beings also have reserves of strength that are restored during phases of rest. This mudra activates kidney energy, which is related to this reserve of strength. Feeling listless, depressed, and dissatisfied-as well as having black rings under your eyes-usually indicates a reduced supply of energy.

Other Mudras… 

Jalodhar nashak Mudra

PoornaMudra

Aadi Mudra

AakashMudra

UttarabhodhiMudra

Bhairav Mudra

Chinmay Mudra

Yoni Mudra

Dharma Chakra Mudra

Makara Mudra

Vajra Pradama Mudra

Mushti Mudra

Figa mudra

Maha Sacral mudra

Vyana Mudra

Kamajayai Mudra

Girivar mudra 

Pupose of Mudras:The purpose of mudras is to bring about a complete regeneration and transformation of the body-mind principle and an expansion of the consciousness. However, make sure that you consult your doctor before practicing yoga mudras. This is because certain conditions like diabetes can worsen with the practice of yoga mudras.

Reference: Vayumudra,varuna mudra,Surya Mudra and Shunya mudra from http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/8-yoga-mudras-to-overcome-any-ailments/.