1. General Mudras

1. Pran Vaayu Mudra

How & when: One should sit in Sukhasan or Padmasana.This Mudra is formed by joining the tip of the little (Anamika) finger and the tip of the ring finger with the tip of the thumb & the other two fingers are kept straight. It can be done by both the hands at the same time. Rest the hands on the knees by keeping the elbow straight. It should be done empty stomach preferably. To derive benefits out of it one must do it for a total of 45 minutes in 24 hours. It may be done in more than 2 breaks by keeping the Mudra intact for at least 10 minutes at a point of time.

Benefits:
a) It acts like a store house of prana or energy ants so also called the “Glorious Mudra”
b) It is highly recommended in case of poor, blurred vision, locked pupils.
c) It enhances the absorption of vital nutrients and vitamins from the diet, boosting the energy levels of the body.
d) It also increases the confidence level.

2. Apana Vaayu or Mritsanjeevani Mudra

How & when: One should sit in Padmasan or Sukhasan and perform this Mudra empty stomach. To form this Mudra fold the first or the pointing finger at the base of the thumb and join the tips of middle and ring finger with the thumb pressing the first finger with the thumb simultaneously. Rest the hands on the knees keeping the elbow straight. Keep the little finger straight. Perform it with both hands to receive more benefit. It should be done for 45 mts daily.

Benefits:
a) The regular practice of this Mudra helps prevent heart attacks and also their recurrence.
b) It is an antidote to heart attack and acts like a savior in case. This is the reason it is called Mritsanjeevani Mudra mean” one which brings back life out of death”. It works like a miracle if practiced by the person experiencing the attack.
c) It also helps in cases of palpitation, depression, slow heart beat, heart sinking feeling, angina etc.
d) As the name suggests it is a combination of Apana Mudra and Vaayu Mudra. It also balances and tri doshas in the body: vata, pitta and kapha. It also rekindles the digestive fire and increases the lung capacity.

3. Samaan Vaayu Mudra

How & When: Sitting comfortably on Sukhasan one may perform this Mudra at the time of eating food. It is done by joining the entire finger tips with thumb tip to balance the Samaan Vaayu in the body. One may perform it for 10-15 minutes otherwise daily before or after meals.

Benefits:
a) Helps in digesting the food properly
b) Reduces the formation of gases and acids in the body.
c) Balances the Panch Vaayu.
d) Cures the liver dysfunction.

4. Udaan Vaayu Mudra

How & When: Join the tips of forefinger, middle and ring finger with the tip of thumb, while the little finger is separate. This forms the Udaan Mudra. One must perform this Mudra in a seated pose whether on chair or on ground.

Benefits:
a) Develops the flow of energy and Chetna (alertness) in all the parts of body. This is one of the main functions of this Mudra.
b) Cures many kinds of problems of the chest and navel area.
c) A person who thinks he is weak, by practice of this Mudra can generate new vitality in his body.
d) Practice of this Mudra helps in developing the natural glow of the skin; and also overcomes various other skin problems.
e) If the power of speech has been lost or has become defective, this Mudra will help a lot.

5. Apana Mudra

How & When: Sitting comfortably in Sukhasan or on chair perform this Mudra by joining the tip of middle two fingers i.e. longest finger and the ring finger with the thumb by keeping the rest of the two fingers straight. Perform it empty stomach and keep the Mudra for a total for 45 minutes in a day at a stretch or in breaks. One can perform this Mudra in combination with other mudras like Apana Vaayu Mudra.

Benefits:
a) For the purification of the body to release the negative pressure.
b) Excellent for purifying the blood and also beneficial in case of scanty flow during menstruation.
c) Helps release all the excess and unwanted fluid out of the body like water retention and urine retention.
d) Helps increasing the sweating in case of blockage of pores of skin or hypo activity of sweat glands.
e) Should not be practiced during diarrhea and vomiting.
f) It will not help much in prostrate gland and kidney stones.
g) It is also excellent in charging the body with prana

6. Vyayan Vaayu Mudra

How & When: Sit comfortably in Sukhasan or on chair with back straight and join the tip of the index and the middle finger with the tip of the thumb, keeping the other two fingers straight for 20-30 minutes, three times daily, after regular interval of time say a break of 6-8 hours. It should be done empty stomach daily till one receives the results, with both hands.

Benefits:
a) Normalizes high blood pressure or hypertension.
b) Relaxes the mental nerves and calms the mind.
c) Regularizes the thrust of water along with a proper diet.
d) Strengthens the whole nervous system and veins in such way that they become healthy and an actual bliss of mind and heart is achieved.
e) It helps the mind by blessing it with new energy, making it so fertile that a new way of thinking is achieved.
f) It helps in eyesight problems, and if this Mudra is performed with the Pran Mudra then the improvement is very fast.
g) If the heat energy decreases in the body and the person becomes senseless, practice of this Mudra helps regain that lost vital energy.
h) This Mudra is totally harmless, and can be performed with all mudras