Mudras are hand gestures that channel energy in the body. There are different types of mudras that target specific elements like fire, air, ether. Practicing mudras like Gyan, Prana and Apana can benefit physical and mental health by improving areas like memory, breathing, digestion. Mudras are an ancient yogic practice that can treat diseases, enhance health and aid spiritual development when done regularly with focus and belief in their effects.

1. MUDRA & BANDHA
BY ANKIT PANDEY

2. INTRODUCTION OF MUDRAS
Mudras literally means “gesture or attitude”
Mud – pleasure, delight, to be happy
Dru – to draw forth
defined as “mudam anandam dadati iti mudra” means the
actions that gives us pleasure and bliss is called mudra.
Mudra are also used in Indian classical dance to represent and
project particular moods, attitudes and feelings.

3. About mudras
Mudras expresses and channelizes cosmic energy within the mind
and body
• The body is made up of 5 elements
• When these 5 elements are not in balance we get various physical and
psychological ailments.
• The energy from the body radiates out mainly through the tip of the nose, lips,
finger tips and toes.
• When the thumb gets in contact with other fingers, energy is directed back to
vitalize various parts of our body.
• In our puranas, we see our gods and goddesses expressed different mudras.
• Mudras are the expression of our inner feeling.
Mudras are part of yogic postures called yogic mudra.
Mudras done with using hands are called hand genstures.

4. Numbers of mudras in yogic scriptures
 In hatha yoga there are 10 mudra explain which destroy old age and death.
 In Gherand samhita 25 mudras are explain which will give success to yogi.
 In Hatha yoga, mudras are used with asana, pranayama, and bandha.

5. Aims of mudra
Hatha yoga pradipika: (Kundalini prabodhana)
Gheranda Samhita: they are practise for equilibrium and
stability.(primarily used for shakti jagrana)
Kalika purana: the practise of pranayama as well as meditative asanas are
fruitless without mudras.

6. Important Things About Mudras
1. When the tip of thumb joins the tip of the other fingers, respective
tattvas get balanced in the body.
2. When the tip of the thumb joins the base of the other fingers, respective
tattvas get increased in the body.
3. When the tip of the fingers brought to the base of the thumb, respective
tattvas get reduced in the body.
4. Hasta mudras can be done by anyone and anywhere.
5. As far as possible, the hands should face upwards.
6. Doing the mudras on both hands is more beneficial.
7. When mudra is done with right hand, it affects the left part of the body
and vice versa.

7. 8. Mudras can be done few seconds, 10 minutes, half an hour or 50 minutes.
If done for 50 minutes, desired results will come.
9. While doing the mudras, only the tip of the fingers are used, pressing the
tip of fingers is not needed and other fingers should be straight.
10. There is no side effect in this, this can be done while one is on
medication also.
11. If the Prana mudra, Apana mudra, Gyan mudra and Prithavi mudra are
done every day for 5-15 minutes, it will improve your health significantly.
12. Mudras not only improves the physical health but also improves the
mental health by reducing the anger, stress, hyperactivities, frustration,
anxiety, conflict, increasing the peace and releasing one from the addictions.
13. Chikitsa mudra should be stopped after one’s health improves.

8. TYPES OF MUDRA
 HAND MUDRA
MANA MUDRA
KAYA MUDRA
CHIKITSA MUDRA
BANDHA MUDRA

9. HEAD MUDRA
 AKASHI MUDRA
 KAKI MUDRA
 KHECHARI MUDRA
 NASIKAGRA MUDRA
 SHAMBHAVI MUDRA
 SHANMUKHI MUDRA

10. KAYA MUDRA
 PASHINEE MUDRA
TADAGI MUDRA
 VIPARITA KARANI MUDRA
 YOGA MUDRA
MANDUKI MUDRA

11. BANDHA MUDRA
 MAHA BHEDA MUDRA
 MAHA MUDRA
 MAHA VEDHA MUDRA

12. Functional factors in mudra
1. BELIEF – have faith.
2. MIND – Before starting take a few deep breaths, till the breathing is rhythmic and the mind is relaxed.
3. DHYAN – (meditation) – Increases the efficacy of mudras.
4. BODY – keep the body relaxed and at ease.
5. POSTURE – 1.Unless specified, mudra should be practiced with both hands.
2.Unless specified, do not use pressure between the touching fingers.
3.keep unused fingers reasonably straight but not rigid; as far as possible do not move the fingers or arms while
practicing mudras.
4.Unless specified mudras can be done sitting or while lying down or walking.
6. TIME – 1.The best time for the sadhana is in the morning.
2.With certain exceptions like for digestive disorders, mudras should not be practiced for half to one hour after the
meals.
3.Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, mudras can be safely practiced in 15/20 minutes sittings 2/3 time a day
or single sittings of 30/45 minutes.
SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF HASTHA MUDRAS ARE DISCUSSED BELOW.

13. Let’s us know……………….
The5fingersrepresentfiveelements(tattvas)
Thumb- Fire (Agni)
Index finger- Air (Vayu)
Middle finger- Space (Akasha)
Ring finger- Earth (Prithvi)
Small finger- Water (Jala)
Fire element is the important one,
Joining the fire element (thumb) with
Other element (other finger) vitalizes the other
Elements also.

14. GYAN MUDRA
Method
Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the
other three finger stretched out.
Specialty
As it is a mudra of knowledge, it enhances the knowledge. The tip
of thumb has centers of pituitary and endocrine glands. When we
press these centers by index finger the glands work actively.
Times duration
there is no time duration for this mudra, you can practice by sitting,
standing or lying on bed whenever and wherever you have time.
Benefits
1. Increases memory power and sharpens the brain.
2. Enhances concentration and prevents insomnia.
3. If we practice it regularly, it will cure all psychological disorders
like Mental, Hysteria, Anger and Depression.

15. AKASH MUDRA
Method
Join the tip of your middle finger with the tip of thumbs of
both hands, press little and keep rest of the fingers straight.
Now, keep your hands near the knee with palms facing
upwards. Sit in this position for five to ten minutes.
Benefits
1. It generates energy & excitement.
2. Gives strength to bones.
3. Reduces toothache.
4. Helpful in heart disease.
5. Reduces ear pain.

16. PRITHVI MUDRA
Method
Tip of the ring finger touching the tip of the thumb, with the
other three fingers stretched out.
Specialty
It reduces all physical weaknesses.
Time Duration
One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until necessary.
Benefits
1. It helps to increase the weight for weak people.
2. It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to
glow.
3. It makes the body active by keeping it healthy.

17. VARUN MUDRA
Method
Tip of little finger touches the tip of thumb, with the other three
fingers stretched out.
Specialty
It balance the water content and prevents all disease which
come due to lack of water.
Time Duration
One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until necessary.
Benefits
1. It retains clarity in blood by balance water content in the
body.
2. Prevents the pains of Gastroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage.

18. VAYU MUDRA
Method
Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with
thumb keeping the other three fingers straight.
Specialty
It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of
the air.
Time Duration
The practice of this mudra for 45 minutes reduces the severity
of the disease in 12 to 24 hours. For better results practice it for
two months.
Benefits
1. Its cures Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson’s disease
and Paralysis without any medicine.
2. It is useful for Cervical Spondylitis, Paralysis to face and
catching of nerve in neck.
3. It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach.

19. SHOONYA MUDRA/ MUDRA OF EMPTINESS
Method
keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with
thumb. The other three fingers are kept straight.
Specialty
It reduces the dullness in our body.
Time Duration
One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until cured from
the disease.
Benefits
1. It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes.
2. It is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for
inborn ones.
3. Strengthens bones and gums.

20. SURYA MUDRA
Method
Bend the ring finger, touch the root of the thumb with it and
press the finger with the thumb.
Specialty
It sharpens the center in thyroid gland.
Time Duration
Practice it daily twice for 5 to 15 minutes.
Benefits
1. It reduces cholesterol in body and helps in reducing weight.
2. It reduce anxiety.
3. It corrects indigestion problems.

21. NAMASKAR MUDRA
‘NAMASKAR’ is derived from the root “ NAMAH” Which means
paying obeisance or salutation. It is the symbolic of Indian culture and
it connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
Spiritual Benefits
1. Increase in humility & reduce ego.
2. Enhancement in the spiritual emotion of surrender, gratitude.
3. Gaining the satva component and faster spiritual progress.

22. HAKINI MUDRA
Method
join the tips of the thumbs and fingers to create a dome.
Time Duration
Practice this hand mudra at any time.
Benefits
1. Improves & enhance breathing.
2. Boosts the brain.
3. Concentration
4. Improves & activates the memory.
5. Inspiration / ideas
6. Co-operation between right & left hemispheres of the
brain.

23. APANA MUDRA
Method
With each hand: Place the tip of thumb, middle finger, and ring finger
together-extend the other 2 finger straight upward. When needed, do it for
5 to 45 minutes or use three a day for 15 minutes as a course of treatment.
Specialty
It plays an important role in our health as it regulates the excretory system.
Benefits
1. Mainly effective areas are strengthening & cleaning parts of the body.
2. clear the tools
3. Purifies the entire body, removes toxins from the body.
4. Regularise the urine flow & perspiration, if it is less or irregular.
5. Cures vomiting.
7. Cures menstruation related problems, burning sensation of hand, heart,
leg & urine.
8. good for constipation

24. PRANA MUDRA/ THE MUDRA OF LIFE
Method
Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with
their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.
Specialty
As it is the mudra of life, it improves the power of life. Weak people
becomes strong. It reduces the clamps in blood vessels. If we
practice it regularly, we will become active.
Time Duration
No specific time duration. One can practice it any time.
Benefits
1. Increases immunity and improves Breathing.
2. Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases.
3. It removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue, Cures the
insomnia.
4. It removes tiredness and promotes energy and health.

25. APANA VAYU MUDRA-(Mudra of Heart)
Method
The tips of the middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb,
while the index finger touches the base of thumb and little finger
stretched out.
Specialty
It benefits the heart. It works like injection in the reduction of heart
attack. It is as powerful as sorbitate tablet. It reduce the gas content
in body.
Time Duration
Practice it as many times as you can. Heart patients and BP patients
can practice it for 15 minutes daily twice for better results.
Benefits
1. It strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation.
2. It regulates excretory system.
3. It redeems gastric trouble.

26. SHANKHA MUDRA
Method
Keep the thumb of the left hand at the center of the palm of the right
hand and make a fist of the right hand around it. Then join the thumb
of the right hand with the remaining fingers of the left hand at the tips.
Thus it forms the shape of a conch or “Shankha”
Time Duration
This mudra can be performed at any time of the day except after the
meals. One can perform this mudra in Sukhasana or Vajrasana.
Benefits
1. Removes speech disorder like stammering and stuttering.
2.Gives sweetness to vice.
3. Disorders related to tonsil and throat gets removed. It also balance
the thyroid gland thereby bringing hormonal balance.
4. It keeps navel center in order, making person healthy and thus affect
to keep the nervous system healthy and active.
5. Alleviates abdomen disorders and Improves the digestive system.

27. FIELDS OF MUDRAS ?
चिकित्सा- TREATMENT OF DISEASE
स्वास््य- HEALTH OF PHYSICAL &MENTAL
साधना- SPRITUAL OF PRACTICE

28. Conclusion
Mudra are a subtle but powerful practice.
Utilize this ancient wisdom and choose mudras
which address your physical concerns and do them
regularly for a length of time with concentration
and faith and then asses if they are benefitting you.
Good luck with your practice, as you stay on
your yogic path.