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International Journal of Health Sciences and Research Vol.11; Issue: 1; January 2021 Website: www.ijhsr.org Review Article ISSN: 2249-9571

Mudra Therapy and Its Classification

1 2 Sunitha S , Prakash Sharma

1Research Scholar, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh 2 Research Supervisor, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Corresponding Author: Sunitha S

ABSTRACT

Mudra therapy is an age-old effective therapy propounded by ancient sages. Mudra means hand which are made for the betterment of physical body. This therapy is as old as culture given and practiced; it prevents specific physical and mental problems. Mudras can be classified into the five basic categories. The categories are yogic, spiritual, curative, religious, and customary. The and philosophy believes that the human body is composed of five elements- , , , space and . As long as these elements remain in balance, a person enjoys a healthy, disease free life. Under yogic mudras we have different types of mudra which divulge mystical powers to the practitioner are maha mudra, nabho mudra, and under spiritual mudras it has classified into gayan mudra, brahm Anjali mudra, chin mudra, Chinmaya mudra. And next category is curative mudras it has different types, Aakash mudra, mudra, varun mudra, mudra etc. And religious mudras have different types like mudra, namaskaar mudra. Here in this article we are going to discuss about the classification of mudhra therapy and how to do the procedure and its benefits of mudra.

Key words: mudra, gayan mudra, Dhyana mudra, Braham Anjali mudra, mudra, Apana mudra, Vayu mudra, gyati mudras, Maha mudra, nabhoo mudra, prithvi mudra, apna Vayu mudra, mudra, pranayama mudra, namaskar mudra.

INTRODUCTION SCIENCE OF MUDRA Mudra science is an ancient science The principle of mudras is that the that which connects certain energy-flows in transfer of energy takes place from higher mind body system. The literal meaning of level to the lower level. This law is mudra is the expression of internal feelings applicable in thermodynamics, electricity, by way of different postures of fingers, electrostatics, magnetism, atomic and palms, hands feet and or body.3This is an nuclear bonding. According to Ayurveda, integral part of yoga and a scientific human body is made up of five elements: knowledge of spirituality and physical well. (fire), Vayu (Air), Aakash (space), Mudra involve the entire body, by doing Pruthvi (Earth) and Jal (water). Under mudras, subtle hand and finger movements healthy conditions, our body has an make important connections in the nervous optimum balance of all these elements. system and stimulate specific energy However, imbalance in any one of them pathways. These mudras (hand postures) affects the body in a negative way. This have potential benefits for physical, mental ultimately leads to illnesses. When specific and emotional wellbeing.4 There are mudras mudras are performed, any imbalance in the to address headaches, pain, anxiety, above stated five elements is restored and depression, stress, the health of lungs and the person recovers.6 , cholesterol, pain in any body part and These 5 elements are well almost every system of the body.5 represented by the fingers of our hands as below:

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circuit to balance the elements represented by those particular fingers.8

IMPORTANCE OF MUDRA  Mudras act as catalysts and switches in the body to improve body functions.  Concentration of mind is accomplished by mudras and regain lost energy.  Mudras tell us the state of mind such as physical, mental and spiritual.9  Deadly diseases like cancer, dementia, insomnia, diabetes, depression and Five fingers represent five elements minor diseases of cough and cold,  Thumb Fire vomiting, deficiency of vitamins and  Index finger Air minerals are cured permanently.  Middle finger Space (ether)  Mudras help to link the brain to the  Ring finger Earth body, soothe pain, stimulate endorphins,  Little (pinky) finger Water change the mood and increase our

vitality.10 The yoga mudras are hand yoga exercises that aim to bring back the  It also stimulates the brain, works on the balance by guiding the flow of nervous system, helps in relieving stress, improves concentration and lastly, it life energy within the body. Depending 11 upon the elements to be balanced, specific gives you a peaceful mind. yoga mudras are practiced by manipulating the fingers. For example, to increase the BASIC RULES TO PERFORM water element in the body, varun mudra is MUDRAS practiced. Similarly, to reduce the air  All persons of any age, sex, religion element in the body, Vayu mudra is  Normal time to perform a specific practiced.7 mudra in 15-30 minutes.  Stop as soon as one feels pain or extra stress during performance of mudras.  Mudras can be performed while standing, sitting, walking, praying, studying, reading, TV viewing etc.4  Elemental mudras should be done with both hands. Doing on left side benefits right portion and vice versa.  For elemental mudras, the basic principle is that bringing together the tip of any finger with the thumb, brings in equanimity, pressing finger with thumb reduces the element, touching the base SCIENCE BEHIND THESE YOGA of finger increases the element of that MUDRAS finger.7 The fingers of our hands are just like  It can be done with any undergoing live wires of electric current. During a treatment also. mudra formation, one or more of the fingers  Mudras can be lifesaving, if performed touch the thumb to complete an electric at the time of emergency e.g. Apna circuit and the life energy flows through that Vayu Mudra can immediately cure heart

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attack or stroke. Vayu Mudra can  Bend forward and hold the big toe of the immediately cure cardiac arrest and right leg with the hands. Exhale while gastro entities spell.11 bending forward.  Raise the head slightly upwards and let CLASSIFICATION OF MUDRA the gaze be on the eyebrow center. Mudras can be classified into the Inhale slowly and deeply while tilting five basic categories the head. Yogic-according to gherand sanhita  Hold the breath inside and there are 25 mudras which give yogic perform Moola . accomplishments. Spiritual-these are beneficial for  Contract the throat so that air does not concentration, knowledge, peace, escape from the lungs. generate love for humanity and so on.  Maintain this position with breath inside These are gayan mudra, Dhyana mudra for as long as you are comfortable. and Braham Anjali mudra.4  This is one round. One can practice from 3 rounds to 12 rounds depending on Curative-the mudras which are 6 practiced curing diseases, to ward off time and convenience. the foreign elements from the body, to  To release the pose, exhale slowly and keep balance of elements in the body bring the head to normal position. fall under this category. These are prana Stretch out the legs, relax the body and mudra, Apana mudra, Vayu mudra etc.6 breathe normally. Religious-the mudras which are  The attention is maintained at the eye- practiced during performance of sacred brow center throughout the practice. and religious offerings are religious mudras. These are gyati mudras. Customary-when practiced these are beneficial for self and others. These are namaskar mudra, pranayama mudra.7

I.YOGIC MUDRA According to gherand sanhita, there are 25 mudras which impart accomplishments to yogic, Twenty-five mudras which divulge mystical powers to the practitioner are Maha mudra, nabho mudra, mandvi mudra etc.  BENEFITS 1. MAHA MUDRA  It improves digestion and cures the Maha Mudra or the Great Gesture it disorders of the stomach. is the first Mudra. In , Maha means great and Mudra means a gesture, attitude or  It neutralizes the effect of toxins in the body. seal. Maha Mudra is a technique to raise the human consciousness to higher levels and  It removes Kapha disorders, for improving health.6 tuberculosis, constipation, enlarged spleen, prolonged fever and other  PROCEDURE diseases and the body attains good  Sit on the floor with legs stretched out. health. Fold the left leg and press the perineum  It balances the sympathetic and with the left heel. parasympathetic nervous system. It  The right leg remains stretched out in generates peace. The sensory front throughout the practice. excitements are reduced, thus inducing a tranquil state of mind.

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 This practice makes the spine straight Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) and enables the pranic energy to clearly where the energy of the body is go between Mooladhara and the conserved. Vishuddhi . The body gets  It influences the heart, lungs, and brain. charged with pranic energy. Since the The central nervous system and the throat is also contracted during the endocrine glands work together and practice of holding the breath, the Prana protects the body from certain gets pushed down towards Apana and conditions like blood pressure, controls the two merges at the Navel center the anxiety and stress levels, slows or Manipuraka Chakra. This awakens down the heart rate, increases the the Prana . metabolic activity, overcomes insomnia  Since this mudra is done along with etc.9 eyebrow gazing or Shambhavi Mudra, it calms down the mind. Hence it is an II SPIRITUAL MUDRA excellent practice before the start of These mudras can be performed for as long 7 as desired and are blissful. .

2. NABHO MUDRA 1. GAYAN MUDRA Nabho Mudra or the sky mudra Gyan Mudra is a powerful mudra (or involves the tongue touching the upper hand position) practiced for thousands of palate and is similar to Kechari mudra. In years by that brings peace, calm, and Sanskrit, the word ‘Nabha’ indicates sky spiritual progress. Artistic depictions of and mudra means a gesture. great spiritual masters such as Nanak, Christ, Buddha, and Mahavir are all shown  PROCEDURE regularly with this hand position.  Firstly, Sit in padamasana or sidhasan.  PROCEDURE  Fold the tongue and reverse it to touch It Connect the thumb and the on the top inside pallet forefinger (tip to tip, not tip to nail, which is  Concentrate the eyes between the another “active” variation of Gyan Mudra). eyebrows The other fingers are straight but relaxed.  Go on inhaling and exhaling keeping Pressure between the thumb and forefinger full concentration is light.

 BENEFITS  It stimulates the third eye pineal gland, pituitary gland, and memory as well as balances the nervous system.  This is probably the best mudra to sharpen your memory and heal your internal organs by helping with stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  This will sharpen your memory and enhance your inner spiritual qualities.

 BENEFITS  It brings in metabolically changes in our  It brings profound sense of calmness and body which increases flow of blood to brain.11 peace by activating the ‘rest and digest’ mode (as opposed to the ‘fight of flight’ which is activated during stress or strain). This ‘rest and digest’ mode is a direct result of the activation of

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human consciousness. Yogis also state that this mudra is the gesture of knowledge. It is one of the most used gestures with those who meditate or practice yoga regularly.

 PROCEDURE  First Form a circle by joining your thumb and your forefinger.  Place the nail of your index finger against the soft pad of the thumb

 Extend the last three fingers of your 2. ANJALI MUDRA hands, the palm-side facing upwards Anjali mudra, one of the hand gestures  It is important that the palm-side of your of yoga Anjali, in Sanskrit word which hands should face upwards in the means "salutation" or "to offer,” Therefore, receiving pose. Anjali mudra translates as "salutation seal".

 PROCEDURE  Bringing the hands together, the palms are placed gently against one another in front of the (heart) chakra.  The fingers point upward. The spine is lengthened while sitting comfortably straight. Bringing the hands together in such a way while saying "" is a respectful greeting.

 BENEFITS  It Creats the Pranic circuit, which maintains and redirects the “Prana” or the flow of energy within your body.  It increases the concentration, even during meditation and also it also increases energy and stamina.  It improves the better sleep patterns.  It reduces the common ailments like lower back pain.

 It relieves stress and any unnecessary  BENEFITS tension in the body.5  It improves focus during meditation.  It promotes , inner III CURATIVE MUDRA awareness and calms the mind The description of a few curative  It relieves stress mudras is given here

 It connects the brain's right and left 5 1. AKASH MUDRA hemispheres. Akash, this Sanskrit term means

3. CHIN MUDRA ‘ or recognizes ‘and mudra means The Chin Mudra, also known as ‘gesture or seal’. It is also known as Gyan Mudra, can be described as a yogic the Shuni mudra, which means gesture that represents the unified nature of the gesture of patience.

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 PROCEDURE practice of Prithvi Mudra helps to awaken  First, sit into any comfortable the earth element. posture.  PROCEDURE  By straightening of the head, neck and back in a straight line, proceed  It is a pretty simple yogic hand gesture for deep breathing, this increases that is performed by the ring finger and your awareness required for the thumb. Firstly, you must bring the ring practice. finger and the thumb closer.  Next place your back of the palms on  Sit in comfortable Posture both knees. Gradually, fold the  Now, place the hands with the palms middle finger and touch it firmly facing upwards on the thighs or above against the thumb. the knees.  Now, by maintaining the contact of  Now slowly fold your ring finger and the middle & thumb finger, extend tap the tip of the ring finger or Anamika the rest of your fingers as much as finger to the tip of the thumb with little possible. pressure. And try to keep the rest of the three fingers extended and straight as much as possible.

 BENEFITS  It relieves the Condition of Migraine  BENEFITS  It reduces Sinusitis Pain  It helps Prana to flow better through  It induces the centers of concerned our spine to the other parts of the nerve cells in the nervous system. body. This flow of prana encourages Therefore, improves the functioning energy distribution in all parts of our and ultimately affects the hearing body. Thus, the regular practice of ability of an individual. this mudra keeps us energetic and

 Practicing Akash mudra stimulates prevents fatigue, weakness, and the other side of those pressure laziness points. Further, the interaction of  It heals the body tissues and boosts calcium, vitamin D and PTH the growth of tissues. regulates the blood calcium level. Therefore, it cures the calcium  Prithvi mudra heals cuts and wounds, deficiency.8 dry and cracked skin, fracture in bones, the density of bones and brittle 2. PRITHVI MUDRA nails.7 In Sanskrit ‘prithvi,’ refers to the ‘earth,’ and ‘mudra,’ refers to ‘gesture of 3. APANA VAYU MUDRA the hands.’ Earth is considered as one of Apana Vayu mudra is a the elements within the body and with the therapeutic mudra, mainly helps in healing heart-related diseases.

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 PROCEDURE both hands in such a way that tips of  Firstly, join the tip of the middle touch the base of your finger and ring finger, with the tip of thumb and thumb pressing the top of the thumb. the second phalanx (of the ring  Secondly, bend the index finger finger). towards the thumb and touch the base  Arrange another hand finger in the of the thumb with the tip of the index same manner. finger.  After aligning the body & hand  Leave the little (pinky) finger comfortably, hold your hands over extended as much as possible. the kneecap.  Do the same arrangement with both  While pressing down the ring fingers, hands simultaneously. make sure that other fingers are  Now, without disturbing the finger lightly stretched. arrangement, place both hands on your upper thighs.

 BENEFITS

 It helps in maintaining the  BENEFITS metabolism of the body.  It Prevents Heart Disorders  As Surya mudra increases body  It Cures Shrinking of Heart Arteries temperature, it relieves from the  It Beneficial in Reducing the Effect problem caused by cold weather of Heart Attacks. like Dry skin, Sore throat, Painful  It reduces air element in the body joints & Flu. which improves digestion in the  This mudra works for removing extra body. cholesterol accumulated in the blood  It improves function, thus, helps vessels and hence reduces the risk of to cure such problems.10 heart attacks and indirectly helps in curing diabetes also. 4. SURYA MUDRA  It tackles coldness of limbs-Surya “Surya” means sun and here mudra helps in problems like “mudra” means hand gesture. Surya shivering, cold, coldness of body mudra is basically finger arrangement parts. (gesture) that represents energy our body gain through sunlight. 5. PRANA MUDRA The Prana Mudra means “the energy  PROCEDURE or else spirit of life” in its own self. The  Sit in a comfortable yoga Sana on a Prana Mudra is single of the most vital mat, not directly on the floor. mudras as it helps to turn on the inactive  Now arrange the finger in the same energy in the body. This energizes the body way Bend the ring fingers of your

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org) 124 Vol.11; Issue: 1; January 2021 Sunitha S et.al. Mudra therapy and its classification and awakens all the organs. This mudra  Others curative mudras are: samaan links to the heart and of the person. mudra, Udaan mudra, shakti mudrera, thyroid mudra, linga mudra.6  PROCEDURE  It is done with the help of both the IV RELIGIOUS MUDRAS hands. These are twenty-four in number  Tips of ring plus little finger have to be which are performed by yogis of highest joined by the lean of thumb. penance, some of them are sumukh,  All other fingers must be extended samput, dwimukh, trimukh, shakat, and straight. singhakrant.  Prana mudra alters the energy in the V CUSTOMARY MUDRAS body, making you fit in conscious 1. Pranayama mudra: by folding first breathing by your hand mudra practice. two fingers and pressing the base of  Take profound and regular breath. thumb pranayama mudra is formed.  Breathe in and exhale for same duration. 2. Namaskar mudra: joining both

hands together with all the fingers put together and keeping the base of thumbs on the heart cave makes namaskar mudra. It is exercised for , for concentration, to give respect to anyone or to greet someone.8

DISCUSSION Kuldeep Singh (2015) indicated that the hand and finger positions of mudras or hand gestures make important connections  BENEFITS in the nervous system and stimulate specific  This mudra assist eliminates any kind of energy pathways. It is also said that mudras A, B, C, D, E, K vitamin deficiencies. increase energy and blood circulation to  It improves the regulatory power of the different parts of the brain, to important mind. This mudra might help in tackling nerve junctions and glands. Early yogis the unregulated habits, for example mapped out the hand areas and their eating and sleeping disorders. associated reflexes which relate to the  It decreases nervousness, thereby different areas of the body and brain.3 improving self-confidence. Balaji P.V Deekshitulu (2016)  It fights against chronic fatigue, general reviewed that the Mudhratherapy can be weakness. control of stress, depression, anxiety, fear  It helps to manage emotions for example and promotion of mental health and anger, mental tension, envy, tetchiness, happiness. Studies have shown that pride, restlessness, revive happiness, can have beneficial effects on the health of delight, enjoyment, wish, energy & the body as well as positive results in mental enthusiasm. & physical levels.7  It also has the power to enhance your Deepti Tripathi et al., (2016) studied immune system. that the yoga hand mudra was found to be  It treats eye irritation like burning red effective in normalizing high blood pressure dry eyes, and cataract. in a novel way. This mudra is helpful in emergency situations where medical help is not available immediately. It can also

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org) 125 Vol.11; Issue: 1; January 2021 Sunitha S et.al. Mudra therapy and its classification reduce further medical deterioration of 7. Deepti Tripathi, Jitendra Kumar Bhatt, patient’s clinical condition.9 Yatiraj Kalantri, Vikrant Chitnis , Sheetal Chitnis and Ramesh Chandra Kalantr CONCLUSION (2016) Effect of Yoga Hand Mudra for controlling High Blood pressure, Research The various types of yoga mudra Journal of Recent Sciences, Vol. 5, 33-35. may be practiced anytime, anyplace – in the 8. Gherand Sanhita Mudra Prakaran 1- 25 bus, train, car, office or at home. It is mudras suggested by experts that the yoga mudras 9. http:// Yoga Pedia.com should be practiced for 24 minutes 10. http:// Vedic yoga ayurvedha.com incessantly for good results. It can also be 11. https://7 Pranayama.com done for five minutes at a time as well. To 12. Lakshmikanthan C, Alagesan R, believe it, you must try it. There is nothing Thanikachalam S, et al. Long-term effects to lose and much to gain. Thus, the above of yoga on hypertension and/or coronary mention mudras applied tension to the artery disease. J Assoc Physicians . nerves or the neural which form the psycho- 1979; 27:1055-1058. neural circuits and it helps in balancing the 13. Kotikalapudi Kumar, TM Srinivasan, Judu Ilavarasu, Biplob Mondal, HR five basic elements and reduce cough, cold, Nagendra (2018) classification of electro and bronchial infections. It also balancing photonic images of yogic practice of mudra the tension, and redirection of the internal through neural works, IJOY, Volume: 11 | energy effects the changes in veins, tendons, Issue: 2 | Page: 152-156. glands and sensory organs, to bring the body 14. of Patanjali and back to a healthy state.10 Govindham Pages 185 – 209. 15. Narnolia, P.K., et al., Effect of Sudarshan BIBLIOGRAPHY Kriya Yoga on Cardiovascular Parameters BOOK REFERENCES and Comorbid Anxiety in Patients of 1. Aao Karein Yoga 6,7,8 New Age Publishers Hypertension. by Subhash Bhargava. 16. Rangaraja Iyengar (2015) The science of 2. Ajay Kumar and Neelam Kumari (2017) yoga mudras, spna book house Effects of yoga mudras in daily life, 17. Nilam Upasani, Sharvari Shirke, Pallavi International Journal of Yogic, Human Jagdale, Pranjal Siraskar, Jaydeep Patil, Movement and Sports Sciences; 2(2): 202- Vision Shinde (2018) Application for curing 205. ailments through mudra science, 11th 3. Asan and yoga vigyan by Bhartiya Yoga international conference recent innovations Sansthan. of engineering and management, 4. "Ashwini Mudra and Abundant http://data.conferenceworld.in/GSMCOE18/ ". Centre. Retrieved 5 161 pdf. June 2019. 18. Yoga Mudra and All Its Benefits: 8 Basic 5. Christine Peterson, Sarah M. Bauer, Mudras-Book Yoga Teacher Training.com Deepak Chopra (2017) Effects of 19. Yoga for daily life B Y K K Suman Pages Shambhavi Kriya, a 261-270- Multicomponent Breath-Based Yogic 20. Yoga for All by K K Suman Pages 237-240 Practice (Pranayama), on Perceived Stress Yoga and Sex. and General Well-Being, JEBIM, Vol 22, Issue How to cite this article: Sunitha S, Sharma CP. 6. Cohen D, Townsend RR. Yoga and Mudra therapy and its classification. Int J hypertension. J Clin Hypertens. 2007; Health Sci Res. 2021; 11(1):118-126. 9:800-801.

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International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org) 126 Vol.11; Issue: 1; January 2021