The physical body is made up of five elements namely - Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aakash (ether - the tiny intercellular spaces in the human body).
Imbalance of these elements disrupts the immunity system and causes disease.
Deficiencies in any of these elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another in a particular manner through Mudras.
When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Therefore the disease caused by the imbalance is cured. Mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health. The joining of fingers creates an effect on the human body.
Five Fingers for Five Elements
* Thumb ... Fire
* Index ... Air
* Middle ... Aakash
* Ring ... Earth
* Little ... Water
When to do?
Can be practiced at all times while sitting, lying, standing, walking or even talking.
For good results should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously. Can be practiced for 4-5 minutes also at one time.
If a mudra cannot be made in both hands, you may do it in one hand only
Seven Mudras, which Swami Ramdev advises during pranayama, and their benefits
1. Gyan Mudra
Touch the tips of the thumb and the index finger with each other, keeping the remaining three fingers straight.
Benefits:
-
It helps develop the stages of Dharna and meditation. Concentration improves and negative thoughts get reduced.
-
It increases the memory power, therefore, its regular practice makes the children become intelligent and bright.
-
The brain nerves become strong. Headache, insomnia, and stress are removed. It destroys anger. For better results, perform Prana mudra after this mudra.
- 2. Vayu Mudra
Joining the index finger with the root of the thumb and putting slight pressure on it with the thumb results in Vayu Mudra. The remaining three fingers should be kept straight.
Benefits:
Regular practice of this mudra eliminates all vayu related problems - gout, arthritis, joints pain, paralysis, parkinson, sciatica, knee pain and gas formation like diseases. Provides relief in the pain of the neck and spine. The disorders relating to blood circulation are removed.
3. Shunya Mudra
The middle finger represents the space element, this finger is touched at the root of the thumb and light pressure applied with the thumb. The remaining fingers should be kept straight.
Benefits:
Precaution:
Do not do this mudra while eating and strolling
Join the tips of ring finger and thumb and keep the remaining three fingers straight, this makes Prthvi Mudra .
Benefits:
Regular practice of this mudra cures weakness of the body, leanness (underweight), and obesity etc. This mudra improves digestive power, develops vitality and sattvic qualities, and removes the deficiency of vitamins. It makes the body active, bright and glowing.
5. Varun Mudra
Touch the little finger with the thumb.
Benefits:
Caution:
People having kapha prakrti (constitution) should not practice it in excess.
This Mudra is made by touching the tips of the little finger, the ring finger and the thumb. The remaining two fingers should be kept straight.
Benefits:
This Mudra is made by touching the tips of the thumb, the ring finger and the middle finger and keeping the remaining two fingers straight.
Benefits:
Precaution:
This mudra is diuretic.