Simple Mudra exercises Part-1

Today's fast paced world gives us no time to read newspapers leisurely with hot cup of morning coffee or enjoy our breakfast or devote some measurable time for exercise to keep us fit. But still to achieve our ambitions, to be the pillar of our family we need to be fit. Mudra exercises are simple and less time consuming exercise form which helps to activate and regularize our organ's functions when done regularly. This can be done when you travel to your work, or during your break in office or whenever you get few minutes of time. Lets see about different mudras, their benefits and how to do mudra exercises.

Pancha Boothas:

Our five fingers represent five elements of nature.
Thumb finger: Fire
Index finger : Air
Middle finger: Sky
Ring finger: Earth
Little finger: Water

Mudras use the five fingers of hands and activate, regularize these five elements present within ourselves and balance the energy within our body. When energy is balanced and evenly spread across the body will be free of diseases. Mudras bring out the energy stagnated in our body, when needed and avoid the unwanted expulsion of energy out of our body. These mudras are capable of increasing the physical and mental strength of human beings.

Here as a first step I will show you five mudras and how to practice them. According to ancient books there are around 200 mudras that are available, which are incorporated in Bharatanatyam and other traditional Indian dances.

These mudras can be practiced along with any of the current treatments you are undergoing.
No side effects or diet restrictions to be followed while practicing these mudras. This reduces the severity of the diseases and helps in fast curing of diseases. Mudras when done regularly improves your immune system.

Dos and Don'ts while practicing Mudras

• Be relaxed and try to be in a calm environment.
• Natural diet or less spicy food helps in giving more quick remedies from diseases.
• Sitting posture: If you are sitting on a mat in the floor, put your legs crossed and sit straightly. If you are using a chair, then sit straight without bending your back.
• Think positively that your disease is getting cured.
• Inhale and exhale technique to be followed when mudra exercise is done. Make it a point to have your exhaling time more than your inhaling time.
• Mudras can be even done while lying down in bed due to sickness or other reasons.
• Don't let anxiety or any other distractions disturb you, when doing mudras.

Gnana Mudra

This mudra is also called as dhyana mudra or chin mudra. Gnana means wisdom/knowledge.

Posture:

1. Sit comfortably and keep your head, neck and spinal chord in a straight posture.
2. Use both hands for this mudra.
3. Keep both your hands on your thigh in such a way that your palm is facing upwards
4. Both of  your index finger tip should touch your thumb finger's tip. 
5. All other finger's in both hand's should be straight pointing upwards.
6. Give slight pressure in the finger tips.

Duration:

To be done for  a duration of ten minutes, twice on a daily basis.

Benefits:

• Increases intelligence.
• Cures brain diseases and mental disorders.
• Rectifies loss of sleep and drowsiness.
• Increases concentration in work and studies.Reduces anxiety, anger
• Makes us energetic and gives a calm mind
• Results in a peaceful deep sleep.
• Cures Insomnia and sleepwalking(somnambulism)  

Garuda Mudra

This mudra to be done by joining two hands as shown in the picture.

Posture:

1. Sit comfortably and keep your head, neck and spinal chord in a straight posture.
2. Put your right hand above your left hand and your palm facing your body.
3. Position your thumb finger such a way that one tangled with other.(see picture)
4. Other four fingers should be pointing straight upwards without touching each other.
5. Now place your hands in lower part of  your stomach with the same posture. 

Duration:

To be done for ten minutes, twice on a daily basis.

Benefits:

• Helps in removing tiredness and stress.
• Improves eyesight 
• Cures all mensuration related problems in women.

Mudra For Back Pain

Posture:

1. Sit comfortably and keep your head, neck and spinal chord in a straight posture.
2. Use both hands for this mudra.
3. Your right hand's little and middle finger's tip should touch your thumb finger's tip. 
4. Your left hand's index finger tip should touch your thumb finger's tip.
5. All other finger's in both hand's should be straight pointing upwards.
6. Give slight pressure in the finger tips.

Duration:

To be done for ten minutes, twice on a daily basis.

Benefits:

• Relief from back pain and nervous disorders
• Relieves you from mental stress
• Cures Insomnia(sleeplessness)

 Mudra for Knee and Joint pains

Posture:

1. Sit comfortably and keep your head, neck and spinal chord in a straight posture.
2. Use both hands for this mudra.
3. Your right hand's ring finger tip should touch your thumb finger's tip. 
4. Your left hand's middle finger tip should touch your thumb finger's tip.
5. All other finger's in both hand's should be straight pointing upwards.
6. Give slight pressure in the finger tips.

Duration:

To be done for  a duration of five minutes, twice on a daily basis.

Benefits:

• Relief from all types of joint pains.
• Cures Knee pain and foot pain

Mudra for Weakness and Anemic (Akash mudra)

Posture:

1. Sit comfortably and keep your head, neck and spinal chord in a straight posture.
2. Bend your middle finger. Position in such a way that tip of your middle finger should touch the tip of your thumb finger. Now give slight pressure.
3. Other three fingers should be straight pointing upwards.

Duration:

          This mudra should be done twice daily each one for ten minutes duration. This can be done  for both hands at the same time.

Benefits:

• Removes weakness, Anemic complaints and exhaustion.
• Strengthens the bones
• Reduces the severity of heart diseases.