Mudras are hand gestures used in various spiritual and cultural practices in India, including yoga, dance, and meditation. The neuro-mechanics of mudra involves the relationship between hand gestures, the brain, and the nervous system.
What are Mudras?
The word “mudra” is derived from Sanskrit word Mud + Dhra or bliss dissolving meaning that which dissolves duality and brings the deity and devotee together.
Ayurveda is a holistic health system that views the human body as a composition of five elements – fire, air, space, earth, and water. When these elements are balanced, the body is in a healthy state. However, an excess or deficiency of any element can lead to an imbalance that may manifest as illness or disease.
Interestingly, in yoga philosophy, each finger represents one of the five elements and is believed to contain the prana or life force associated with that element.
By practicing specific hand gestures or mudras, we can manipulate the flow of prana and regulate the balance of the elements within the body. Mudras are often referred to as seals, as they help lock or seal the prana for a particular purpose.
Using mudras for specific purposes can be an effective way to restore the balance of the five elements within the body, using the power of prana. With regular practice, mudras can help promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
5 fingers – 5 elements:
- The Thumb – the element of FIRE (AGNI)
- The Index finger – the element of AIR (VAYU)
- The Middle finger – the element of SPACE (AKASH)
- The Ring finger – the element of EARTH (PRITHVI)
- The Pinky finger – the element of WATER (JAL)
Five powerful Mudras
Gyan mudra
This mudra involves touching the tip of the index finger (VAYU) to the tip of the thumb (FIRE), while keeping the other three fingers straight.
By incorporating the fire element into our practice, we can reduce the excess air element and calm the mind. Fire element has a balancing effect on the air element, bringing it into harmony with the other elements in the body.
- Reduces mental disturbances such as Anxiety & Overthinking
- Improves concentration, memory, and creativity.
Prana mudra
This mudra is formed by joining the tips of the thumb (FIRE), ring finger (EARTH), and little finger (WATER), while keeping the other two fingers straight.
- Improves vitality, immunity, and digestion.
- Reduce fatigue and tiredness.
Varun mudra
This mudra involves touching the tip of the little finger (WATER) to the tip of the thumb (FIRE), while keeping the other three fingers straight.
This mudra regulates the water element in the body.
- Promotes hydration and healthy skin.
- Alleviates dryness and stiffness.
Vayu mudra
This mudra is formed by joining the tips of the index finger (VAYU) and middle finger (SPACE) to the base of the thumb (FIRE), while keeping the other two fingers straight. It is believed to balance the air element in the body.
- Promotes calmness and relaxation.
- Relieves joint pain and bloating.
Shunya mudra
This mudra involves bending the middle finger to touch the base of the thumb, while keeping the other fingers straight. It balances the space element in the body.
- Promotes clarity and openness.
- Alleviates ear pain and vertigo.
- Reducing tinnitus
Benefits of performing Mudras
Yoga mudra is a simple yet powerful practice in the world of yoga, which can help improve the connection between the body and mind. Unlike other practices such as asana or pranayama, mudra requires minimal physical effort, but can have a significant impact on one’s overall well-being. Essentially, mudra involves connecting two energy points, or fingers, which can bring stability to the body-mind system. Through this practice, individuals can experience a deeper sense of awareness and inner harmony, which can positively impact their physical and mental health.
How often should we perform?
To get the most benefit out of a yoga mudra, it’s important to hold the position for an appropriate amount of time and focus on your breath. The longer you hold a mudra, the more effective it is believed to be.
It’s recommended to practice a mudra for several minutes, gradually increasing the duration up to 15-20 minutes.
Try to do the mudra of your choice every day for anything between a week and thirty days for best results.
You don’t have to do it just in meditation, you can even do it when walking around or adding it to yoga asanas and incorporating it into your everyday yoga routine.
What does research say?
From a neuroscience perspective, the effects of mudras may be explained through their impact on the brain and nervous system. Research has shown that different hand gestures can activate specific areas of the brain and alter brainwave activity. For example, studies have shown that certain mudras can increase alpha and beta brainwaves, which are associated with relaxation, concentration, and focus.
The hand is represented on the somatosensory cortex in the brain, and stimulation of the hand through mudras can activate various parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making, attention, and self-awareness. Additionally, the use of mudras may stimulate the meridians and acupressure points in the hands, which are connected to different organs and systems in the body.
The practice of Gyan Mudra, which involves touching the index finger to the tip of the thumb while keeping the other fingers straight, has been found to activate the areas of the brain associated with learning and concentration.
Similarly, the practice of Prithvi Mudra, which involves touching the ring finger to the tip of the thumb while keeping the other fingers straight, has been found to activate the earth element in the body and promote a sense of stability and grounding.
The neuro-mechanics of mudra can be explained by the fact that the fingers are connected to specific areas of the brain and nervous system through a complex network of neural pathways. By manipulating the fingers in specific ways through mudra practice, it is possible to activate or stimulate different areas of the brain and nervous system.
In addition to their neurological effects, mudras are also believed to have energetic and spiritual benefits. Many mudras are associated with specific chakras or energy centres in the body and are used to balance or activate these centres.
Conclusion
Overall, the neuro-mechanics of mudra involves the complex interplay between the fingers, the brain, and the nervous system, and can have both neurological and energetic effects on the body and mind.
