Yogic
mudrās
The main source of Mudra are Gherandya Samhita,
Hathyoga Pradipika. Gherandya Samhita is written by Sage Gherandya and Hathyoga
Pradipika is written by Swami Pt. Swatmaram from Nath Tradition. Thenafter was
more work on those topic through Swami Satyanand Saraswati. He was the founder
of Bihar School of Yoga. Mudrās are a fundamental form of yoga
practice; the most famous book published by the Bihar School of Yoga
is called Asana, Pranayama, Mudrā, Bandha.
Basic mudrā: Chin Mudrā
Rāmabhadrācārya
meditating on the banks of Mandakini river with fingers folded in the Chin
Mudrā. Thumb and forefinger on each of both hands join as a zero. The rest of
the fingers are extended, with the middle finger touching the non-folded part
of the forefinger. The hands are placed palms-down on the thighs while sitting
in Vajrasana.
This mudrā activates the diaphragm,
making for deep "stomach-breathing", as the diaphragm pushes out the
internal organs when it descends towards the pelvis on inhalation. Slow
rhythmic breathing in a 5-2-4-2 rhythm (5 being the exhalation, and 4 is the
inhalation) makes prana
flow in the pelvis and in the legs.
Basic mudrā: Chinmaya Mudrā
Thumb and forefinger are the same as Chin Mudrā. The rest of the fingers are
folded into a fist. The non-folded part of the forefinger and the middle finger
should still be touching. Like in Chin Mudrā, the hands are placed palms-down
on the thighs while sitting in Vajrasana. This mudrā activates the ribs, making
them expand sideways on inhalation. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 5-2-4-2 rhythm
(5 being the exhalation, and 4 is the inhalation) makes prana flow in the
torso and in the throat.
Basic mudrā: Adi Mudrā
Thumb is folded into the palm, touching the base of the small finger. The
rest of the fingers are folded over the thumb, to create a fist. Like in Chin Mudrā,
the hands are placed palms-down on the thighs while sitting in Vajrasana. This mudrā activates the pectoral muscles, making the chest expand
forward on inhalation. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 5-2-4-2 rhythm (5 being the
exhalation, and 4 is the inhalation) makes prana flow in the
throat and in the head.
Basic compact mudrā: Brahma Mudrā
Palms are in Adi Mudrā, but the inside of the palms face upwards and are
located at the level of the navel, with the left and right knuckles and first
finger joints touching. This is done while sitting in Vajrasana. Breathing becomes full: in inhalation,
the diaphragm descends, the ribs then expand, and
then the pectoral muscles move forward. Exhalation
works in the same order, which creates a "wave" or ripple effect. Slow
rhythmic breathing in a 5-2-4-2 rhythm (5 being the exhalation, and 4 is the
inhalation) makes prana
flow in the entire body.
Advanced compact mudrā: Prana Mudrā
A complicated Mudrā combining hand gestures, synchronized movement from
gesture to gesture within the breath cycle, and meditation. The mudrā is
practiced sitting in Siddhasana. Even a single breath cycle of this Mudrā can
significantly stimulate the body. It is described in the book, Theories of the
Chakras, by Hiroshi Motoyama.
Common Buddhist mudrās
Abhaya Mudrā
The Abhaya mudrā
("mudrā of no-fear") represents protection, peace, benevolence,
and dispelling of fear. In the Theravāda, it is usually made with the right hand raised to
shoulder height, the arm bent and the palm facing outward with the fingers
upright and joined and the left hand hanging down while standing. In Thailand and Laos, this mudrā is
associated with the walking Buddha, often shown having both hands making a double
Abhaya mudrā that is uniform. The mudrā was probably used before the onset of
Buddhism as a symbol of good intentions proposing friendship when approaching
strangers. In Gandhāra
art, it is seen when showing the action of preaching. It was also used in China
during the Wei and Sui
eras of the 4th and 7th centuries. The gesture was used by the Buddha when
attacked by an elephant, subduing it as shown in several frescoes and
scripts. In Mahāyāna,
the northern schools' deities often paired it with another mudrā using the
other hand. In Japan, when the Abhaya mudrā is used with the middle finger
slightly projected forward, it is a symbol of the Shingon sect.
(Japanese: Semui-in; Chinese: Shiwuwei Yin)
Bhumisparsha Mudrā
This gesture calls upon the earth to witness Shakyamuni Buddha's
enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. A seated figure's right hand reaches toward
the ground, palm inward.
Dharmacakra Mudrā
The Dharmacakra mudrā represents a central moment in the life of Buddha when he
preached his first sermon after his Enlightenment, in Deer Park in Sarnath.
In general, only Gautama Buddha is shown making
this mudrā, save Maitreya as the dispenser of
the Law. This mudrā position represents the turning of the wheel of the Dharma. Dharmacakra mudrā is
formed when two hands close together in front of the chest in Vitarka, having
the right palm forward and the left palm upward, sometimes facing the chest.
There are several variants such as in the frescoes of Ajanta,
India where the two hands are separated, and the fingers do not touch. In the Indo-Greek
style of Gandhāra
the clenched fist of the right hand seemingly overlies the fingers joined to
the thumb on the left hand. In pictorials of Hōryū-ji
in Japan the right hand is superimposed on the left. Certain figures of Amitābha,
Japan are seen using this mudrā before the 9th century.
Dhyāna Mudrā
The Dhyāna mudrā ("meditation mudrā")
is the gesture of meditation, of the concentration of the Good Law and the saṅgha. The two hands are placed on the lap, right hand on
left with fingers fully stretched (four fingers resting on each other and the
thumbs facing upwards towards one another diagonally), palms facing upwards; in
this manner, the hands and fingers form the shape of a triangle, which is
symbolic of the spiritual fire or the Triratna
(the three jewels). This mudrā is used in representations of the Śākyamuni
Buddha and Amitābha Buddha. Sometimes the Dhyāna mudrā is used in
certain representations of Bhaiṣajyaguru
as the Medicine Buddha, with a medicine bowl placed on the
hands. It originated in India most likely in the Gandhāra and in
China during the Wei period. This mudrā was used long before the Buddha
as yogis have used
it during their concentration, healing, and meditation exercises. It is heavily
used in Southeast Asia in Theravāda Buddhism; however, the thumbs are placed against
the palms. (Dhyāna mudrā is also known as Samādhi mudrā or Yoga
mudrā; Japanese: Jō-in, Jōkai Jō-in; Chinese: Ding Yin.)
Varada Mudrā
The Varada mudrā
("favourable mudrā") signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving,
compassion and sincerity. It is nearly always shown made with the left hand by
a revered figure devoted to human salvation from greed, anger and delusion. It
can be made with the arm crooked and the palm offered slightly turned up or in
the case of the arm facing down the palm presented with the fingers upright or
slightly bent. The Varada mudrā is rarely seen without another mudrā used by
the right hand, typically the Abhaya mudrā. It is often confused with the
Vitarka mudrā, which it closely resembles. In China and Japan during
the Wei
and Asuka
periods respectively the fingers are stiff and then gradually begin
to loosen as it developed through time, eventually leading to the Tang
Dynasty were the fingers are naturally curved. In India the
mudrā is used in images of Avalokiteśvara
from the Gupta Period of the 4th and
5th centuries. The Varada mudrā is extensively used in the statues of Southeast
Asia. (Japanese: Yogan-in, Segan-in, Seyo-in; Chinese: Shiynan
Yin.)
Vajra Mudrā
The Vajra mudrā ("thunder mudrā") is the gesture of knowledge.
It is made by forming a fist with the right hand, index extending upward, and
the left hand also making a fist and enclosing the index. A good example of the application of the
Vajra mudrā is the seventh technique (out of nine) of the Nine Syllable Seals, using the
mudrā with mantras
in a ritual application. Here is a video of a Sanskrit prayer to set
the mind in a sacred state, followed by a quick version of the kuji-in ritual, using the Japanese
kanji pronunciation (Sanskrit mantras are usually offered to the serious
seeker).
Vitarka Mudrā
The Vitarka mudrā ("mudrā
of discussion") is the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist
teaching. It is done by joining the tips of the thumb and the index together,
and keeping the other fingers straight very much like Abhaya and Varada mudrās
but with the thumbs touching the index fingers. This mudrā has a great number
of variants in Mahāyāna
Buddhism in East Asia. In Tibet it is the mystic gesture of Tārās
and Bodhisattvas
with some differences by the deities in Yab-yum. (Vitarka
mudrā is also known as Prajñāliṅganabhinaya,
Vyākhyāna mudrā ("mudrā of
explanation"); Japanese: Seppō-in,
An-i-in; Chinese: Anwei Yin). A 2010 nameless Kannada-language
film directed by Upendra
was originally depicted by this mudrā, which later came to be known as Super.
Gnana Mudrā
The Gñana mudrā ("mudrā
of knowledge") is done by touching the tips of the thumb and the index
together, forming a circle, and the hand is held with the palm inward toward
the heart.
Karana Mudrā
The Karana mudrā is the
mudrā which expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative
thoughts. It is made by raising the index and the little finger, and folding
the other fingers. It is nearly the same as the gesture known as corna in many
'western' countries, the difference is that in the Karana mudra the thumb does
not hold down the middle and ring finger. (This mudrā is also known as Tarjanī mudrā; Japanese: Funnu-in, Fudō-in).
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Mudra
therapy is a non-medical mode of treatment which helps without harming.
Mudras are various postures of fingers and thumbs. In mudra therapy,
different diseases are treated by holding and retaining the fingers and
the thumbs in different ways.
Mudras are quite easy to perform.
It is an extremely gentle form of treatment
It is entirely safe since no chemical medicines are employed
Mudra therapy is inexpensive because no instruments are required
It
is a form of self-treatment.Any person who has acquired basic knowledge
about mudras can treat most trivial ailments on his own.
Mudra therapy has a preventive aspect, too.
Any person who analyzes and understands his temperament and his bodily constitution (on the basis given in Personality through health table ) can realize what ailments he is susceptible to and can , then regularly practice certain mudras to prevent those susceptibilities from manifesting in to overt illness.
Mudras
enjoy a universal application. They can help all types of disorders ;
Sub-acute, acute or chronic; they can help all type of people :young or
old, men or women.
Mudra
therapy can be advantageously combined with other forms of treatment:
non-medical as well as medical. Being a part of Ayurveda, it goes
especially well with Ayurvedic medicine.
Even after this much saying some you may say that "All this sounds too good to be true. does it really work. Or is it all in the mind ? Perhaps mudras help because the performer strongly believes that they will. With out the performer's faith,mudras would fall flat on their faces".
But some doctors and scientists never believe in such things but some tested and say this really work. So it upto You to decide whether it work or not. I can say this because as far I had find out and with my own experience with mudras I can say that
Mudras
help people who are entirely nwe to or unaware of, Mudra therapy and
have never witnessed its efficacy to become 'believers'.
Mudras help young children and even insane people, where the question o belief does not arise and
Mudras
even help semi-conscious or unconscious people (on whom Mudra therapy
is carried put passively by using rubber bands to maintain thumbs and
fingers in specific positions).
Even though mudras help in many disease there some where it has no role
in the treatment of the following disorders
Purely
mechanical disorders like mature cataract, a big hole in the eardrum,
deviated nasal septum, cleft palate, hare lip, heart0valvular
defects,varicose veins,hernias,big stones in the gall bladders/urinary
tract, prolapsed uterus/rectum/inter vertebral disc, fracture, etc.
These disorders will, obviously, need surgical intervention.
Ailments caused by deficiencies of nutrients. vitamins, minerals, etc.
Disorders that are a part and parcel of old age (senile degeneration).
Life
threatening ailments like cancer, AIDS, encephalitis, diphtheria, heart
failure, kidney failure, cirrhosis of the live, septicaemaia, gangrene
etc. These ailments cal for strong, extreme measures rather than gentle
mudras.
So what I say that mudra therapy is an excellent key to try in the the lock of disease. More ofteh than not, it succeeds in opening up th lock . This key should, certainly, be tried when other keys(e.g modern medicines) have either failed or are undesirable / inapplicable. You may say that mudra therapy seems to simple to be really effective. So what I can say is in life, most important truths are , indeed , wuite simple!
Look out the different mudras Mudras .
Asthma mudra
Like aakash-vardhak (or aakaash), Prtihvi-shaamk (or surya) and Linga mudra, this mudra too can help asthmatics, enabling them to relieve an attack of asthma.
Method: Press together the finger nails of the middle fingers, keeping the other fingers gently extended.
Effects: This mudra helps to treat as well as prevent attacks of asthma.Duration: At least fifteen minutes when suffering from breathlesnes. A regular performance of this mudra for about five minutes thrice a day helps the person to jprevent future attacks of asthma..
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Mudras
This
simple measure surprisingly restores a state of balance(homeostasis)
within the body and raises the level of the performer's resistance .
With the patient's immunity thus strengthened, the disease has no other
option but to flee.
Mudra therapy is advantageous in a number of ways:
It is very simple, perhaps the simplest among different non-medical therapies.
Mudra therapy is advantageous in a number of ways:
It is very simple, perhaps the simplest among different non-medical therapies.
Any person who analyzes and understands his temperament and his bodily constitution (on the basis given in Personality through health table ) can realize what ailments he is susceptible to and can , then regularly practice certain mudras to prevent those susceptibilities from manifesting in to overt illness.
Even after this much saying some you may say that "All this sounds too good to be true. does it really work. Or is it all in the mind ? Perhaps mudras help because the performer strongly believes that they will. With out the performer's faith,mudras would fall flat on their faces".
But some doctors and scientists never believe in such things but some tested and say this really work. So it upto You to decide whether it work or not. I can say this because as far I had find out and with my own experience with mudras I can say that
Even though mudras help in many disease there some where it has no role
in the treatment of the following disorders
So what I say that mudra therapy is an excellent key to try in the the lock of disease. More ofteh than not, it succeeds in opening up th lock . This key should, certainly, be tried when other keys(e.g modern medicines) have either failed or are undesirable / inapplicable. You may say that mudra therapy seems to simple to be really effective. So what I can say is in life, most important truths are , indeed , wuite simple!
Look out the different mudras Mudras .
Asthma mudra
Asthma mudra
Like aakash-vardhak (or aakaash), Prtihvi-shaamk (or surya) and Linga mudra, this mudra too can help asthmatics, enabling them to relieve an attack of asthma.
Method: Press together the finger nails of the middle fingers, keeping the other fingers gently extended.
Effects: This mudra helps to treat as well as prevent attacks of asthma.Duration: At least fifteen minutes when suffering from breathlesnes. A regular performance of this mudra for about five minutes thrice a day helps the person to jprevent future attacks of asthma..
Linga mudra
Linga mudra
Linga is the Sanskrit term for phallus(the male genital organ) . this mudra increases bodily heat since it reinforces the fire element and the Pitta humor.
Method : this mudra is formed by interlocking the palms but keeping the left thumb erct, pointing upwards.
Effects: the thumb represents the element fire. This fire is reinforced by performing the linga mudra. The fire element which resides in the thumb is activated and is able to increase uninhibited.
Benefits: the linga mudra can be used to overcome the following disorders:
1.Shivering and chills due to intolerance of cold weather; hypothermia,
2. Ailments caused by an overproduction/ accumulation of phlegm(mucous) in the body; such ailments include colds, sinusitis, productive(wet) cough, sticky stools, etc,
3. Asthma and other respiratory ailments that occur at the change of weather,
4. Sexual debility in males.
Duration: This mudra is not to be performed on a regular basis, It should be performed only when needed (e.g., when suffering form chills) and should be discontinud once the ailment has been overcome.
Precautions: 1. Overuse of Linga mudra may aggravate the Pitta humor within the body, causing sluggishness and lethargy.
This mudra should not be performed when suffering form ailments of Pitta-excess especially fever.
Prithvi-shaamak or Surya mudra
Popularly known as Surya mudra this mudra increases the Agni(fire) elemnt within the body. It can, therofre, be called Agni-vardhak mudra, too. At the same time, this mudra decreases the Prithvi(earth) element with in the body.
Method: This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the ring finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. This amounts to suppression of element earth (residing in the ring finger) by element fire (residing in the thumb). The earth element thus suppressed, fire is able to rage unopposed.
Effect: Prithvi-shaamak or Agni-vardhak mudra increases th eAgni(fire) element within the body but subdues the Prithvi(earth) element.
The element Agni (fire) is associated with body temperature an dmatbolism. Practice of Pritvi-shaamak or Surya mudra helps to maintain the body-temperature and keeps the metabolism going.
The elemnt agni is also connected with vision. Hence, regular practice of surya mudra helps to strengthen weak eyes and improve vision.
Agni is also a component of bodily humor Pitta. Ptactice of Prithvi-shaamak or Surya mudra increases the Pitta humor with n the body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by Pitta deficiency. However, it should be used only in moderation by people having an excess of Pitta.
Prithvi-shaamak mudra decreases the element Prithvi(earth) who in the body. It is, therofre, excellent for people having an excess of element Prithvi on their bodies .
The element earth is also a component of bodily humor kapha. Therefore , Prithvi-shaamak mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced kapha constitution. They can regularly practice this mudra even to prevent illness.
Benfits: Prtivi-shaamak (Agni-vardhak; Surya) mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:
1.Abnormally low body-temperature,
2,Coldness of skin, body, limbs, hands, feet, etc.
3. Intolerance to cold, shivering,
4. Under activity of the thyroid gland causing slow metabolism,
5.Obesity, progressive weight-gain,
6.Loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation,
7.absence of sweating,
8. Ceratin vison/eye problems, especially cataract.
Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).
Ideal time: though Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be performed at anytime of the day, practicing it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.
Precaution: over performance of this mudra may cause undue heating of the body.
Prithvi-vardhak or prithvi mudra
Popularly
known as Prithvi mudra, this mudra increases the Prithvi(earth0 element
with in the body. At the same time, it decrease the Agni(fire) element.
Therfore, it can also be called Agni-shaamak mudra.
Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the ring finger and the thumb.
Effects : Prithvi-vardhak mudra increase the Prithvi(earth) element within the body but decrease the Agni(fire) element within the body.
The
element earth is a vital component of bodily tissues like bones,
cartilagemskinm hair, nails, flesh, muscles, tendons, internal organs,
etc, Practice of Prithvi-vardhak mudra builds and invigorates these
tissues. In other words, this mudra increases the kapha humor within the
body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by
kapha deficiency. However, it should be practiced in moderation by
people who already have and excess of kapha in their bodies.
The
element Agni(fire) is concerned with body temperature and metabolism.
Since Prithvi-vaardhak(+Agni-shaamak)_ mudra reduces fire, it can be
used to pacify an overactive Agni and overcome disorders of Agni-excess
like emaciation, fever, inflammation, etc.
The element fire is also a component of bodily humor Pitta.
There fore, Prithvi-vardhak(+Agni-shaamak) mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced Pitta constitution. They can regularly use this mudra even to avoid illness.
Benefits: Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:
1.Cronic fatigue, general debility, convalescence,
2.Lack of Stamina or endurance,
3. Inexplicable, weight-loss, emaciation,
4.osteoporosis osteomalacia(diminished bone-density, rickets,)
5. Fracture(to expedite union),
6. Degeneration of articular cartilage(Osteo –Arthritis),
7.Weak, atrophied muscles myopahties,
8.Paresis, paralysis, poliomyelitis,
9.dry,cracked, burning ,mature skin,
20.Brittle nails,
!2.hair-los, premature graying of hair,
13.Burning in eyes, stomach(acidity), urine, anus, hands, feet, head,
14.Aphthous ulcers in the mouth,
15.Ulcers in the stomach, intestines,
16. Inflammatory diseases (disease whose names end with ‘it is’),
17 . Jaundice,
18. Fever,
19. Hperthyroidism.
Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).
However, people with kapha deficiency can do it even for longer periods.
Ideal time: though
Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be perfomed at anytime of the day, practicing
it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.
Precaution : People with a pronounced kapha constitution should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.
Aakaash-vardhak or Aakash mudra
Popularly known as Aakaash mudra this mudra increases the (inactive) Aakaash(ehter or space) element with in the body.
Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and middle finger.
Effects: Aakaash-vardhak
mudra increases the aakash(space0 element with in the body. Since the
space within the body is a part of the outer space (aakaash or cosmos),
practise of the mudra enables the individual(aatmaa) to reunite with the
collective consciousness(Paramaatmaa or God). Negative emotions like
fear, anger,sorrow, etc. are replaced by positive emotions and thoughts.
The above- mentioned increase in internal space is effected by the
elimination of metabolic wastes from the body. Thus Aakaash-vardhak
mudra is a detoxifying mudra.
The increased internal
space enables the rest of the four bodily elements:vaayu(air),
agni(fire), jal(water) and prtihvi (earth) to increase , affording them a
room to act. Thus , Aakaash-vardhak mudra can be beneficially combined
wiht mudras that increase the other four elements(i.e, Vaayu-vardhak
mudra, Prithvi vardhak mudra, Agni-vardhak mudra and jal-vardhak mudra).
In
general, Aakaash-vardhak mudra is an excellent mudra that stimulates
noble thoughts and helps the practioner to take rapid strides along the
path to moksha(salvation).It also helps a person who wishes to scale
great heigths in the art of meditation.
The
element Aakaash is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. Therfore,
Aakaash-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor of the body. It should
be djone in moderation by people of Vaata constitution.
Benfits: Practice of Aakaash-vardhak mudra helps -
Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e for 15 minutes, thrice a day)
Ideal time:
Though Aakaash-vardhak or gyaan mudra can be performed at any time of
the day, practising it at any time between 2.00 to 6.00 am/pm gives
better results.
Precaution: People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti(constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.
VAAY-VARDHAK OR GYAN/DNYAAN MUDRA
Popularly known as Gyaan mudra this mudra increases the vaayu(air) element within the body.
Mehtod: This mudra is formed by joining together, the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb
Effects: Vaayu-vardhak mudra increase the vaayu (air) element with in the body. thus reinforced the air
The
elemnet Air is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. The increase of
air in the body due to Vaayu-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor.
therefore, this mudra is an excellent mudra to overcome
vaata-deficiency. How ever, it should be practised in moderation by
people who already have a Vaata constitution(i.e, and excess of vaata in
their bodies).
Benifits :
Vaay-vardhak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:
Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e for 15 minutes, thrice a day)
Ideal time: Though
Vaayu-vardhak or gyaan mudra can be performed at any time of the day,
practising it at any time between 2.00 to 6.00 am/pm gives better
results.
Precaution : People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti (constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.
Apaan mudra
Apaan mudra
The Apaan mudra is an extremely important and useful mudra that first detoxifies (and, therefore, purifies) the body and the energizes it.
Method: Appan mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger.
Effects: Appaan mudra is a combination of the Aakaash-vardhak(Aakaash) and the Prithvi-vardhak(pritvi) mudras. Apart from an increase of elements space and earth, appan mudra brings about an increase of Vaaata and Kapha humors and therofre a decrease of Pitta humor.
Benefits: the Apaan mudra can be used to overcome the following disorders:
1. Anuria (absence/obstruction of urine)
2. Constipation, flatulence (gas), pile,
3. Absence of sweat,
4. Delayed delivery of a child,
5. Burning in the body/body-parts,
6. Ailments caused by a deficiency of element space and humor Vaata,
7. Ailments caused by a deficiency of element earth and humor kapha,
8. Ailments caused by and excess of elemnt fire and humor Pitta.
Duration: Minimum 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day)
Precaution : People with a Vaata+kapha mix constitution should perform this mudra in moderation.
Jal-shaamak mudra
Jal-shaamak mudra brings about a reduction of the jal(water) element with in the body.
Method: this mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the little finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger, this amounts to suppression of element water(residing in the little finger) by element fire( residing in the thumb).
Effects: Jal-shaamak mudra reduces the water-content of the body by suitable affecting the water-metabolism. It can, therefore , be used to overcome water-loggging with in the body.
Water is also a component of the two bodily humors: Pittta and Kapha. Practice of jal-shaamak mudra brings about a reduction of these humors. People with a pronounce Pitta+ Kapha constitution can immensely benefit by the practice of this mudra. Such people can regularly practice this mudra even to prevent illness.
Benefits: Jal-shaamk mudra can be used to overcome the following disorders:
1.Oedema(water-retention),
2. Ascitis, dropsy,
3. Excessive salivation,
4. Watery eyes
5. Running nose,
6. Hyperacidity,
7. Diarrhoea (loose motions),
8. Pleural effusion
9. Excess of hormones,
10. Excessive Effusion a joint,
!!. Excessive menses(menorrhagia),
12 .Hydrocele,
13. hydrocephalous,
14. Hydronephrosis,
15. Cold and clamy body/hands /feet,
16. Disorders of Vaata deficiency (see Vaayu-vardhak mudra).
Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes , thrice a day).
Ideal time: None
Precautions: Experienced doctors say that the practice of this mudra should be discontinued as soon as the disease has been overcome.
