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The Secret Powers of Mudras

Mudras are gestures made with the hands to emote feelings. In the science of yogasana and pranayama specialized mudras are used to bring mind balance and balance of the cosmic elements within the being of the human body.

Mudras are hand face or body gestures that have a direct curative effect both, on mind as well as body. The word ‘mudra’ if analysed, is a complex word formed from the Sanskrit root word ‘mud’ which means that which gives joy and ‘dru ‘ which relates to the source. Therefore the two meanings conjoined together as mudra, would translate to that which delivers joy. The other usage of the word mudra was ‘seal’. Seals used as currency in ancient times bore the symbolic impression of a certain dynasty or rule. These seals were also called mudras. A mudra would therefore mean the deliverance of a characteristic impression of happiness or joy.

It is believed that the science of mudras became shrouded when words and language became powerful tools of expression. Originally, man communicated through sign language and barely expended energy through sound and speech. As the communication through sign language proliferated the knowledge of mudras grew further. Presently, detailed descriptions of Mudras are found in Tantra Shastra, Upasana Shastra, Nritya Shastra and Art of Sculpture. Today, we refer to the practice of mudras as a science as we exploit the use of these practices in conjunction with yogasana and pranayama. Along with the practice of certain asanas and vital breath control routines in pranayama, certain specific hand and body postures are required- these are the mudras ! Since both yogasana as well as pranayama have gained so much momentum in this past decade, the practice of certain mudras has also come into the forefront.

We often hear terms such as ‘science of mudras’, ‘healing through mudras’ rampantly used on yoga websites, books and literature related to yogasana and pranayama. Mudras are alluded to being very potent and efficacious in delivering their effects and yet we find that we know very little about this science.

Mudras are categorized under four main classes- the hasta mudras or hand postures, the head/face postures used in nritya shastra, the body postures or yoga mudras and the body locks or bandhas.

Just like most yogasanas have their benefits in enhancing the physical health of the body, similarly mudras too have a healing effect. Mudras work closely on balancing the five body elements- the pancha mahabootas or five vital elements of the body. These five vital elements of the body are air, fire, ether, earth and water. An imbalance in each of these elements in the body leads to disease.

Through prolonged and persistent practice mudras can bring about a miraculous change and improvement in our body system. The practice of mudras are potent enough to alter the physical , mental as well as moral thinking of an individual. Hasta Mudras are gestures performed with the palms of the hand. They are used to bring about emotional culturing, connect to the higher guides as also dispel ailments of the physical body. They are said to purge the negativities of both, the physical as well as the astral body of the human-being. According to the yogis of India, the human body is composed of atoms of the cosmic elements viz. earth, water, fire, ether and space.

Any excess or deficiency of any of the cosmic elements causes imbalance and disorder in the body and mind. These imbalances are what we refer to as disease, disorders and ailments. Nature has made and created the human body in such a manner that through the spaces in the body, the head cavity, the thorax, the abdominal and the pelvic cavity, the human body is able to automatically purge any accumulated imbalance from its being. An imbalance in the cosmic elements or energy leads to disease. Nature provides the human body with switches to control the elemental composition of the body. These switches are the mudras known to the ancient seers of India. They developed a study based on using these switches to eliminate any mind or body related disease by the manipulation of the cosmic elements within the body.

This is the science of mudras. Our five fingers represent the elements of the cosmos. With the help of our fingers we can make gestures or patterns to balance the imbalanced cosmic elements of the body. These finger positions, mudras or switches instantly alter the elemental composition and remove energy blockages in the human microcosm. The tip of the Thumb represents the center of the fire element The tip of the index finger is the center for the air element. The tip of the middle finger is the center for the sky element. The tip of the ring finger is the center for the earth element.

And finally, the tip of the little finger is the center for the water element . We can effectively combine and balance the five elements of our body by forming different positions with our finger tip pressure. The placement of each finger pattern, alters the effect of each cosmic element within our being. We can therefore influence energies from these elements of the universe to balance the body. It is within our own body that nature has endowed us with the power to control the cosmic elements. If we utilize them in a proper way, we can achieve positive state of mind and health.

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