About Mudras

The physical body is made up of five elements namely - Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aakash (ether - the tiny intercellular spaces in the human body).
Imbalance of these elements disrupts the immunity system and causes disease.
Deficiencies in any of these elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another in a particular manner through Mudras.

Mudra is a Sanskrit word derived from the root mud, 'please' or 'delight' and dravay, the causal form of dru, 'to draw forth'. Specific folds, mutual positioning or postures – called mudras – of the fingers in one or both hands were discovered by the Vedic scientists of yoga for maintaining the natural order and healthy distribution of the pancha tatvas - five basic elements .
The five fingers of the hand are regarded as representative symbols of these vital elements in the body.

Five Fingers for Five Elements are as follows
1. Thumb :Fire
2. Index :Air
3. Middle :Aakash
4. Ring :Earth
5. Little :Water

Process:
Prepare mind for Meditation. Mudra, like no other yogic practice, is recognized as an external instrument with the capacity to prepare the mind for meditation Mudras show how finger positions and pressure upon certain points of the hands can affect different parts of the body, influencing physiological processes linked with the currents of vital energy (Prana) as well as settle mental processes and calm emotions.
Balancing the five elements - regulating the natural flow of vital energy. When the fingers touch another part of the body, a circuit is produced this allows energy that would have been otherwise dissipated to travel back into the body along the nadis. Hand mudras, where fingers are joined, engage the motor cortex at very subtle levels. Once pingala nadi is engaged then a signal goes back through Ida nadi to the brain. By holding these extremely sensitive areas in a certain fixed position, a loop of energy moves from the motor cortex down to the hand and then back to the brain. Thoughts and experiences are generated, and our detached observation of these can give useful insights into discovering our more subtle dimensions .
Tantric and yogic literatures describe over one hundred different forms of mudras. According to their physical denotations, they can be categorized into approximately five groups: (i) Hasta, hand; (ii) Mana, head; (iii) Kaya, postural; (iv) Bandha, lock; (v) Adhara, perineal.

When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Therefore the disease caused by the imbalance is cured. Mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health. The joining of fingers creates an effect on the human body.

Types of Mudras and their Benefits:
Gyan Mudra Effective in cases of mental ailment, imparts happiness, the intellect develops, memory is sharpened.

Method: Join the tips of the index finger and thumb and keep the other 3 fingers stretched and joined.

Shoonya Mudra Relief in diseases and pains relating to the ear.

Method: Press the middle finger on the base of the thumb and keep the thumb on middle finger. Keep the other three fingers straight.

Apaan Mudra Helps in clearing the body by elimination of waste matter from the mouth, eyes, ears, nose etc. Helps when urine is obstructed, reduces constipation.

Method:Join the tip of the thumb with the tip of middle and ring finger, keeping the other finger straight.

Prana Mudra Helps in pumping the life force into your body. Beneficial for all types of diseases. Imparts special power to the eyes.

Method:Join the tip of the thumb with tip of little and ring finger. Keeping other two fingers straight.

Vayu Mudra Helps in diseases like arthritis, trembling in Parkinson's disease. Better results obtained if practices after Prana mudra.

Method:Press the index finger on the base of thumb and keep the thumb on the index finger. Let the other fingers be straight.

Prithvi Mudra Makes body sturdy. One experiences happiness.

Method:Join the tip of the thumb and ring finger.

Varun Mudra Improves the deteriorated quality of blood due to shortage of water & gives freshness to the body.
Method: Join the tip of the thumb and little finger.

Surya Mudra Reduces weight of your body.

Method: Put the tip of ring finger at the base of thumb, with thumb gently pressing on it.

Ling Mudra Produces heat in the body and helps in curing cold and cough.

Method: Interlock the fingers of both hands together. Keeping the left thumb up (encircled by right thumb and index finger) i.e. left thumb should be vertically straight and right thumb around it.

When to do?
Can be practiced at all times while sitting, lying, standing, walking or even talking.
For good results should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously.
Can be practiced for 4-5 minutes also at one time.
If a mudra cannot be made in both hands, you may do it in one hand only