Mudras

Mudra means gesture or energetic seal. There are kaya mudras (body), citta mudras (consciousness) and hasta mudras (hand).

Mudras are powerful and can be used to balance our internal elements and channel the winds (vayus) that move the prana (life force) around our body.

When practicing any yoga please do so within your limits. Always find your comfortable seat (asana) in everything that you do. If any of the mudras become painful to hold then please release them gently. Ask slowly move and shake to release any held tension.

Since the mind and body are so connected, any mindfulness practices such as mudras, yoga postures and meditation can help with all mental disorders and physical discomforts we may be experiencing. Mudras are directing through riding the winds (vayus) and sealing or locking the pranas for a specific healing purpose.

Practice somewhere warm.

In our hands the fingers & thumbs access the elements:

Thumb - fire
Index finger - air
Middle finger - space
Ring finger - earth
Little finger - water

Riding on the winds (vayus) the pranas

Apana – excretion, like sweating, urinating, etc.
Samana – digestion and metabolism
Prana – for the heart to pump
Vyana – circulation and movement
Udana – neck & head actions like talking, thinking, seeing, hearing, tasting

Apana

Apana Hasta Mudra

Apana mudra is one of the best mudras for meditation as well as digestion and even birthing our babies.

Index finger folds round and the tip come to base of the thumb. The tips of thumb, middle and ring fingers touch, little finger extends away.

Helps to relieve pain in all its forms.

Try it for constipation and especially for when we feel mentally blocked, in other words “constipation of the mind.”

It is one of the most important mudras for elimination—releasing emotions, negative thoughts or experiences we no longer need and want to let go of. Helps detoxify and cleanse the body.

Apana mudra closely relates to the organs of the stomach and the excretory system. The solar plexus chakra is the seat of our personal power, where we make decisions from and how we assert ourselves. Using this mudra will allow us to receive more prana or life force energy. The best part about this mudra is that it eases menstrual cramps, and contraction pain and allows us to feel more grounded and secure. So great for our female discomforts.

Pushan

Pushan Hasta Mudra

Pushan mudra involves principles of Prana, Vyana and Apana vayus for providing complete wellness by our enhancing our digestion system and nourishment. while enriching our memory and creating a sense of mental alertness . It balances the three bodily doshas (from Ayuvedic Medicine) – Vata, Kapha, and Pitta

On the right hand the tips of the index and middle fingers touch the tip of the thumb (lmaking an oval shape) . The ring finger and little finger extends away. On the left hand the tips of the middle and the ring finger touch the tip of the thumb (making an oval shape). The index finger and the little finger extends away.

Supports us maintain good blood pressure
Good for pregnant women and for the heart
Activates the Manipura chakra (solar plexus) and Swadhisthana chakra (sacral)
May be useful for managing diabetes when practiced regularly
Helps with maintenance of body heat and perspiration
Enhances memory and concentration
Stimulates acupressure (from Chinese Medicine) points related to breathing and stomach health
Relieves indigestion, gas, acidity, and constipation
Relieves urinary issues.