Yoga Mudra Benefits and Top 10 Yoga Mudras

What is Yoga Mudra?

Yoga Mudra – Many of you may not be knowing about various actions we do in our life. These actions are yoga mudra which we perform in our life, like namaskar mudra, gyan mudra and many more. But what actually is mudras. Mudra means gesture or seal. If we simply say then mudra is a hand gesture that brings outer energy in our body and makes our brain work in correct way. The word mudra has originated in India, likely in Gandhara and in China during Northern Wei.

Importance of Yoga Mudras.

According to Ayurveda and many studies have shown that most of the diseases are caused by several imbalances and this imbalance is caused by the deficiency or the excess of five elements. And you know what these five elements are, they are earth, water, air, fire and sky. And our fingers have the qualities of all these elements. When these elements enter our body, then internal energy starts to balance. If we follow yoga mudras everyday in our life, then the result will definitely be amazing.

Various Yoga Mudras

You will find a variety of mudras. There are approximately 399 mudras which are mainly performed by the hands. So here’s a list of top 10 hand mudras that can make you feel energetic and calm.

Use the below instructions to be in the right position and to have greatest benefits of it.

1. Use minimal pressure so that you don’t have tension on your hands.
2. Sit in the normal position with the legs crossed.
3. You can do one mudra with one hand at a time and can shift to other when you feel pain in the hand.
4. Allow yourself to perform for about 15-20 mins. Only then you can see the better results.
5. Do the mudra about 1-3 times a day which means nearly 1 hour a day.
6. But, most important thing is that start it with your own comfort so that it is not painful at the first day only.
7. You can do OM chanting while performing any mudras.

Top 10 Yoga mudra’s are-

1. Chin Mudra 

This means CHIN-consciousness and MUDRA-gesture and known as Gyan mudra. This yoga mudra is practice to keep your body calm, relaxes the mind, builds energy and overall development of body. It is advisable to do this mudra for atleast 10-15 minutes a day. Or whenever you have time and feel comfortable in doing this.

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like Padmasana or Sukhasana.
2. Use your index finger and thumb.
3. Fold the index finger in such a way that it touches the tip of your thumb.
4. Do it while keeping your other three fingers extending.
5. The index finger should touch thumb very gently without exerting any kind of pressure or force.
6. And try to keep the remaining fingers straight as possible, only then it is effective.
7. Now put the hand on your thighs facing upwards.
8. And close your eyes to closely observe the enegy flowing to your body.

Benefits-

1. This mudra is very much helpful in increasing concentration, increasing stamina and meditation power.
2. It reduces insomnia.
3. It helps you connect to your inner soul.
4. Relieves our depression and anxiety.
5. Calms the mind and brightens your overall mood.

Precautions-

Generally, there are no side effects of this mudra and so no precautions need to be taken care of. But advisable to ask your doctor if you had any kind of severe injury or treatment.

2. Agni Mudra   

The word Agni is derived from Sanskrit and it means fire, whereas mudra means gesture. It is not only the name of physical fire but also is one of the important Vedic Gods. This mudra can be performed by anyone. This is done to balance the heat of the body. So, it is advisable to perform this mudra during winters mainly. Otherwise, you can do it anytime. It is need to be done at-least 10 mins a day.

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like Padmasana or Sukhasana.
2. Use your ring finger and thumb only.
3. Fold your ring finger towards your thumb. Now press your thumb on the ring finger.
4. Keep your remaining fingers extended.
5. Stay in the position for 10 mins.

Benefits-

1. It helps in increasing concentration and determination.
2. Regulates heat in the entire body.
3. It helps to reduce cholesterol level in body, reduces fat, boosts immune system and improves metabolism.

Precautions-

1. People suffering from acidity are not suggested to do this mudra.
2. Drink a glass of water before doing it because it may cause dehydration if practiced for too long.

3. Vayu Mudra 

Vayu as a name signifies air and mudra is gesture. It is a hand gesture which balances the air element in the body. This term has been originated from ancient Sanskrit language. One must practice this mudra for at least  30 mins a day. This can relieve your diseases within 24-48 hours.

Steps-

1. Bring yourself to a comfortable sitting position like padmasana or sukhasana.
2. Take a deep breathe while keeping your eyes close.
3. Now, take your index finger and thumb. Fold your index finger in such a way that it touches the base of your thumb.
4. Put your thumb over the index finger and press it with little pressure.
5. Keep your remaining fingers extended and allow it to stay straight till you complete your mudra.
6. Now, without disturbing the gesture keep your hands on your thighs and continue it with calmness.

Benefits-

1. It helps in curing several diseases like disorder in neck, paralysis, etc.
2. It regulates air in your body and provides balance to your body.
3. Strengthens your chest and avoids any kind of chest problem.
4. Builds immunity in your body against cold or cough.

Precautions-

There are no such precautions, it’s just that sit straight and do not bend the back

4. Prithvi Mudra   

Prithvi  simply means Earth and mudra is hand gesture. It is a simple hand gesture which helps in balancing earth element in our body. This yoga mudra can be performed by your ring finger and thumb. The thumb associates the energy of the fire element and ring finger associates the energy of the earth element. This mudra balances both these energies in the body. The mudra should be performed at least 30-40 mins. And the best time to perform this mudra is morning time.

Steps-

1.  Firstly, sit in the normal position like sukhasana or padmasan.
2. Now, take your ring finger and thumb to perform this mudra.
3. Fold your ring finger towards your thumb.
4. Touch the tip of the thumb to the ring finger.
5. And, keep your remaining fingers extended till you do this mudra.
6. Now, place the hands on your thighs to complete the mudra and stay in the position for desired time.

Benefits-

1.  It helps in maintaining the balance of elements in the body.
2. Prevents the loss caused by excessive fire element in the body.
3. Maintains the body posture.
4. Increases strength in the body.
5. Make us energetic and make us feel fresh.
6. Makes our mind fresh, fearless and calm.

Precautions-

It requires deep concentration and should be practiced in quiet surrounding. And one thing should be taken care that use of electronics is restricted because it causes disturbance.

5. Varun Yoga Mudra 

We all are well aware that our body constitutes of five elements out of which water is one part of it. Water constitutes 70% part of our body. Varun is derived from Sanskrit which means water and varun mudra means gesture of water. You must have seen many people practicing it like meditation practitioner. According to me, the best time to practice this mudra is in the early morning between 4- 6amand it should be done for at least 20-30 mins. It should be done with stress free mind .

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like padmasana, sukhasana or vajrasana.
2. Now, take your little finger and the thumb for doing this.
3. Fold your little finger towards the tip of the thumb.
4. Bring your thumb towards the little finger and press it gently without any force.
5. Extend your remaining fingers while doing the mudra.
6. Then, close your eyes so that you can deeply concentrate.
7. At last, keep your hands on your thighs so that you can do it better.
8. Start the meditation and do it with taking deep breaths.

Benefits-

1. Increases your concentration power.
2. Helps in balancing the water element in the body.
3. Keeps many diseases away from you.
4. Dehydrates your body and moisturizes the skin.
5. Prevents pimples and scars on the face.
6. Helps in indigestion, constipation or any kind of digestive problem.

Precautions-

1. People having cold and cough should not perform this mudra.
2. Keep your mind stable and free without applying force to the fingers.
3. Wear comfortable clothes.

6. Shunya mudra

The word shunya has been originated from Sanskrit which means emptiness. Thus, shunya mudra means gesture of emptiness. It represents the inner element of our body. Shunya yoga mudra decreases space element within the body. It is one of the easiest mudra to do. This mudra is performed using the middle finger and the thumb. The middle finger is the symbol of sky that takes care of heaven element in the body. One must perform this mudra for about 30 mins and for 2-3 times.

Steps-

1. Sit in your normal position like, padmasana, sukhasana or vajrasana.
2. Fold your middle finger so that it touches the end of the thumb.
3. Put your thumb on the middle finger and press it gently without any force.
4. Now close your eyes and breathe deeply.
5. Keep your hands on your thighs and start meditation.

Benefits-

1. This helps in reducing the numbness in the body.
2. It reduces mental stress.
3. It strengthens the willpower of a person.
4. Increases your concentration.
5. Very much helpful in curing Thyroid cases.
6. Helps in disorder of ear.
7. Helps in overcoming travel sickness.

Precautions-

One should not do this if they are feeling weakness in their body.

7. Surya Mudra

Surya mudra in Sanskrit means gesture of sun. This yoga mudra  is a vital mudra that helps in weight loss. It helps in maintaining the sun element in our body. Therefore, it is sometimes called Agni mudra because sun produces heat. This helps in increasing fire element in body and decreasing earth element in body. A very good mudra for our body. It must be performed for 20 mins in the morning.

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like, vajrasana, sukhasana or padmasana.
2. Now take your hands and fold your ring finger in such a way that it touches the end of the thumb.
3. Press your ring finger with your thumb very gently. There should not be extra force or pressure.
4. Keep your remaining fingers extended.
5. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
6. Keep your hands on the thighs and start meditating.

Benefits-

1. This yoga mudra helps in relaxing anxious mind and calms the body.
2. Helps in reducing the body fat.
3. Strengthens eyes and improves vision.
4. It produces heat in the body, therefore, good to do in winters.
5. Helps in the digestion and increases metabolism.

Precautions-

Do not press too hard as it may cause injury.

8. Prana Yoga Mudra 

 Prana mudra means the spirit of life. It is a basic hand gesture of Ancient Indian Vedic culture which help us to activate inner inactive energy of the body. It is advised to perform this mudra in a quiet room to awaken the inner energy. There is no time limit. You can do this anytime and for long time too. It helps in increasing the life force. It is considered as the centre of prana shakti.

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like padmasana, sukhasana or vajrasana.
2. This should be done with ring finger, little finger and thumb.
3. Fold your ring finger and little finger in such a way that it touches the tip of the thumb.
4. Press the fingers very gently and not forcefully.
5. Keep your remaining fingers extended.
6. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
7. Chant ‘So’ while you inhale and ‘hum’ while you exhale.

Benefits-

1. It reduces any kind of vitamin deficiencies.
2. Strengthens immune system.
3. It decreases nervousness.
4. Improves blood circulation in the body.
5. Helps in improving painful sensation.
6. Prana mudra helps in improving eyes too.
7. It makes body and mind stable.
8.  Reduces muscular pain.
9. Builds self-confidence.

Precautions-

1. Skip if you are suffering from cold and cough.
2. Do not perform if you have back pain.
3. Very helpful if you know proper way of doing this.
4. Pressure should not be applied on the fingers.

9. Padma Yoga Mudra

Padma mudra is a symbol of lotus flower. Therefore, it means lotus seal and a gesture made while performing meditation to cultivate the feeling of lovlingness to the divine one. This mudra is associated with the divine god of Hindus, Goddess Lakshmi. Lotus represents peace and spirituality. It transforms the fearful person to a strong one. Ideal time to do this is in the morning time because of the fresh nature and should be done for about 20-30 mins.

Steps-

1. Sit in a comfortable position like padmasana sukhasana or vajrasana.
2. Bring your hands in the Anjali mudra in front of your heart center.
3. Now open your hands in a such a way that little finger and thumb of both the hands touch each other.
4. Keep the heels of both the hands touching each other.
5. Close your eyes and start OM chanting with deep breaths.

Benefits-

1. It calms your mind.
2. Improves the digestive system.
3. Increases your inner beauty.

Precautions-

Breathing should be deeper and stay calm and be in a comfortable posture before starting.

10. Dhyan Yoga Mudra

 Dhyan mudra represents hand gesture which is done for meditation. It helps us to go in deep concentration. This mudra improves the quality of the mind. It helps in strengthening the will power and In Buddhism, it is believed that it was practiced by Buddha during his enlightenment process beneath the Bodhi tree. It has derived from Sanskrit which means gesture of meditation. Ideally practiced for 30 mins minimum and should be done in the early morning between 4-6am.

Steps-

1. Sit in the normal position like, sukhasana, vajrasana or padmasana.
2. The back should be straight .
3. Put the hands in your lap. Place your right hand over your left hand with your palms facing up.
4. It should be the shape of bowl.
5. Both thumbs should touch each other, forming a triangle.
6. The fingers should be extended.
7. The hands should be placed on the level of the stomach.
8. Close your eyes and start taking deep breaths.

Benefits-

1. It is very beneficial for our body and mind.
2. Removes tensions from our mind.
3. It increases knowledge and learning power.
4. Brings calmness and relaxation to the body.
5. One who practices stays away from any kind of mental illness.

Precautions-

There are no such precautions it’s just do not put so much force or pressure.