Mudra, the energy from positioning of the fingers

Mudra, मुद्रा from Sanskrit, literally means "seal".
Mudra are methods that have been used originally, a few thousand years ago, by sages practicing methods for reaching the Yoga state; sometimes is combined with static body postures, called asanas, or during meditative practices.

Please, don't confuse, as many writers do, the original ancient Mudra with what was done latter on, that was to use positions of hands as symbols or with the purpose to express some particular meanings.

Mudra is not talking by hands, it is not a ritual or a cerimony! These are only deprivations of its original use and goal....

In the ancient text Gheranda Samhita, one of the three texts where is written about the methods of Hatha Yoga, are cited 25 basic Mudra.

"O Chanda , I revealed the whole truth. What I would tell you more! There is nothing better in the world of Mudra to have a quick success and achieve perfection "
(Gheranda Samhita, III, 95)

"O Devi, I told you about Mudra. Their knowledge alone gives all Siddhis (superhuman powers) "
( Gheranda Samhita, III, 4)

In the second, the Hathayoga Pradipika, are listed instead only 10 basic Mudra: Mudra are defined as the ten destroyers of old age and death.

"Revealed by heavenly God Shiva, conferring the eight powers,
dear to the hearts of all men of power,
are difficult to perform even the wise."
(Hathayoga Pradipika)

" ... With every effort we persevere in the practice of Mudra to awake the sleeping Lady at the door of Brahma " ( ..... means Kundalini ... )
(Hathayoga Pradipika, III, 5)

1 . Mahamudra
2 . Mahabandhamudra
3 . Mahavedhamudra
4 . Kecharimudra
5 . Uddiyanabandhamudra
6 . Mulabandha
7 . Jalandharabandha
8 . Viparitakaranimudra
9 . Vajrolimudra
10. Shaktichalanamudra

These statements taken from ancient texts, emphasize the extreme importance of these practices, which are considered the means to prevent the unnecessary loss of Prana, the vital energy, which is therefore more easily channeled in Nadi, energy channels, creating balance in the Chakras and also the gradual awakening of Kundalini (see my post on Kundalini).

The benefits are many:

• organs are recharged with vitality
• many behavioral changes are formed
• the mental conditions are improved

Be careful, though ... do not expect immediate results! The system works very gradually and progressively .... does not change anything from today to tomorrow, but you'll see tangibly the results with the time.

A Mudra, thus, can be practised in combination with a posture of the body and of a particular form of breathing. But this system requires some effort and to be in a suitable place to do it.
Anther possibility is also given by this system, by simply setting your fingers. Therefore workable methods on several occasions including during the day without specific preparations; their purpose is anyway to redirect the prana, flowing out of hands, to specific parts of the body.
In fact, even in Acupuncture, as in Shiatsu or Tui Na, fingers are considered terminal of the major energy flow of the most important meridians .
Pranotherapist do flow the energy through his fingers and hands.

 

Even if, also, you experience Kirlian photography (the real one not some other fake systems...) , you will see that not all your fingers have an equal flow of energy; maybe you will be able to observe directly that perhaps through some fingers you don't have energy flow. (see my Post on vital energy and Kirlian Camera).

 

I emphasize also, for those who have not already had the opportunity to read something about, that according to Ayurveda each finger corresponds to one of the 5 elements:

• thumb - fire

• index - wind

• middle finger - ether

• ring finger - earth

• pinkie – water

The ease of implementation is another strong point of the method: everyone can make Mudra with your hands and fingers, there is no obstacle, there is no difficulty ...!

• gives freedom from bondage
• for preparation of observational meditation
• better after asanas
• is the mirror of feelings

It will it be possible to create such a closed loop, each time different, depending on which fingers are used and how they touch each other.
The most important Mudra of hands and fingers are 17 .
I will give two examples below, describing in broad terms, two very well known settings of the hands and fingers.

Veetrag (dispassionate) Mudra:

the left palm will stay near nevel ; the right palm over it must be kept ; thumbs touch each others tips on
( in Padmasana or Vajrasana or in Sukhasana )
Duration : from 8 to 48 minutes till

• develops dispassionate feelings
  makes the energy move upwards
• develops stability and impartiality
• energy balances and elements

very good for meditation

 Gyan (knowledge of) Mudra:
upper tip of the index with uper tip of thumb with light pressure
( but with Padmasana and Vajrasana and also Sukhasana )
minimum 16 min , 48 min optimal

• develops knowledge and memory
• changes attitudes as obstinacy , irritation , instability , anger , impatience and restlessness
• for a calm mind and cheerfull

for concentration

• success in work
• brain becomes stronger
• cures insomnia and headache
• pressure related point : tip of thumb corresponds to the pineal and pituitary gland (upper tip of thumb )

 

 This Gyan Mudra is an example in which you can see the posture of the fingers that is not completely correct, because the tips are not really in contact and so they don't close exactly the energy flow.

Anyway this could be ok when you do very long meditations, so fingers don't become tired for the position and energy flow, even if less, is channelled anyway as for the long time of execution.

Anyone interested in further informations can take part to the seminar organized by WW Int. School " Yoga in Your Life " (see www.allthebestinyourlife.com) and then teach to others these methods.

Meanwhile, try these two ...!
We'll meet at the next Post, which will be on the theme: "Why to practice inverted postures?"