9 Yoga Mudras You Can Try Anytime, Anywhere

After becoming a mom, life becomes more of “Thakna mana hai”! After you see the hubby off to work, cooking, cleaning and other household chores start clamouring for attention, not to mention tending to your little one. In the midst of all this, you probably may not get time to even think of yoga; let alone actually get down to doing it However, the good part is that you don’t need to spread out a yoga mat to enjoy good health. Just try these yoga mudras to rid yourself of toxins and calm your inner self.

What Are Yoga Mudras?

You might already know that your body is made up of five elements- fire, water, air, earth and space (agni, jal, vayu, prithvi, aakash) respectively. When any of these become unbalanced, the body doesn’t function optimally, making you fall sick. Yoga mudras are hand gestures that guide energy flow to different body parts. These are associated with different organs and, when done in combination with deep breathing, alleviate and prevent various health issues.

Yoga Mudras- Types, Health Benefits and How to Do

The biggest advantage of yoga mudras is that you can do them even if you have less time and space to spare. Whenever you do a particular mudra, hold it for at least 5 minutes to reap the maximum benefits.

1. Gyan Mudra

As the word gyan suggests, this mudra is effective for increasing memory power and concentration span. So, feel free to teach it to your little child as well and watch how his memory gets sharper as the years go by.

Health Benefits:

• Increases capacity to remember and recollect
• Increases level of concentration
• Helps tackle anger, stress, anxiety, and insomnia

How to Perform this Mudra:

You can sit, stand or lie down, but make sure your spine is straight. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger and let the other fingers remain relaxed. Focus on your breathing. Hold this position for 3-5 minutes.

2. Prana Mudra

Prana means life and this yoga mudra boosts your energy and spirit from within. Doing the Prana mudra can take away tiredness. It also calms your mind and provides a new outlook on life.

Health Benefits:

• Improves eyesight
• Increases immunity of the body
• Makes up for vitamin deficiency
• Takes away lethargy
• Cures insomnia

How to Perform This Mudra:

Bring your ring finger and little finger together and touch them to the tip of your thumb. Stretch out the other two fingers.

3. Prithvi Mudra

The Prithvi yoga mudra is connected to the Earth element and helps you stay rational and grounded. Working men or women can use this mudra to remain calm and composed in the face of stress. Performing this mudra can make life more fulfilling and promote a sense of harmony and balance.

Health Benefits:

• Strengthens the body
• Reduces fatigue
• Provides a rational outlook towards situations
• Helps you stay grounded

How to Perform This Mudra:

Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your ring finger and keep the other three fingers extended.

4. Vayu Mudra

This yoga mudra is associated with the air inside your body. By doing this mudra daily, you can rid yourself of restlessness and calm your mind. It’s also very effective against the common cold.

Health Benefits:

• Relieves joint problems like arthritis, gout, and cervical spondylitis
• Is a useful remedy for stomach and digestion problems
• Helps cure excessive sneezing, blinking and yawning

How to Perform This Mudra:

Bend your index finger and touch it to the base of your thumb. Your thumb should overlap, touching the second phalanx of the index finger. Keep the rest of your fingers stretched out.

5. Surya Mudra

The Surya mudra is used to regulate the heat generated in the body. You can use it in winters, to prevent coldness of your hands and feet. This yoga mudra also resolves metabolic issues.

Health Benefits:

• Helps weight loss
• Improves eyesight
• Relieves digestion problems like loss of appetite, indigestion, and constipation

How to Perform This Mudra:

Touch your ring finger to the base of your thumb. With the thumb, gently apply pressure on the second phalanx of the ring finger. The other fingers should be stretched out.

6. Shunya Mudra

In Hindi, shunya means zero, and the Shunya mudra is related to emptiness. It works to reduce the space element in your body. It helps heal problems that affect the ears, eyes, gums, and throat. This mudra can also open up the heart chakra.

Health Benefits:

• Reduces ear pain and eye-watering
• Improves hearing
• Strengthens bones and joints
• Prevents heart diseases and thyroid
• Keeps throat problems at bay
• Helpful against gum problems

How to Perform This Mudra:

Sit in a comfortable chair and touch the middle finger to the base of your thumb. The thumb should overlap and press the first phalanx of the middle finger. Keep the other fingers stretched.

7. Apan Mudra

The food we eat doesn’t always get fully absorbed into our system. During the process of digestion, certain toxins are released and Apan mudra can help detoxify the body. It is mainly related to stomach and heart diseases.

Health Benefits:

• Provides relief from constipation, piles and kidney defects
• Is a long-term cure for diabetes
• Protects teeth and gums

How to Perform This Mudra:

Bring the middle and ring finger together and touch them to the tip of the thumb. Keep the other fingers straight and pointing outward.

8. Varun Mudra

Varun means water in Hindi and this mudra is believed to tackle problems arising due to the lack of fluids in the body. This yoga mudra also helps you open up, making communication with your partner and child better.

Health Benefits:

• Reduces dryness of skin and brings back moisture and glow
• Cures skin ailments
• Encourages openness and communication

How to Perform This Mudra:

Touch the little finger to the tip of the thumb and put some pressure. You can sit cross-legged while doing this mudra for the best results.

9. Ling Mudra

This mudra is named so as it looks like a Shivling, the symbolisation of the Hindu God Shiva. Like the Surya mudra, this too generates excessive heat in the body, so much so that it may cause sweating in winter!

Health Benefits:

• Controls flu symptoms
• Useful for those with asthma or sinusitis

How to Perform This Mudra:

Interlock fingers of both hands while keeping only the right thumb erect. You can apply a little pressure.

Centuries ago, there were no over-the-counter pills and no gyms to keep the human body in working order. Nature was the go-to remedy for everything and today, people are re-discovering the benefits of yoga to keep their body in balance and health ailments away. Now, that you know about these easy yoga mudras, you can do them anytime and anywhere to access numerous health benefits!

Also Read:

Helpful Tips for Practicing Yoga at Home
Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Desk
Effective Yoga Mudras for Your Healthy Heart