Yoga Mudras

Basics of Yoga Stages of Yoga Benefits of Yoga Yoga Articles Yoga Diet Yoga Mudras Pranayama Yoga Bandhas Yoga Poses Useful tips for yoga Surya Namaskar Yoga FAQ

Yoga Exercises > Yoga Mudras - Hand and Finger Postures

Mudra is the science of hand and finger postures. It can help to cure bodily ailments in a wonderful manner. It affects the body's energetic sysytem and the flow of prana (life energy) within it. It actually helps in balancing the five elements ( panch-tattvas ) in the human system to their optimal levels.

Abhaya Mudra

"Abhaya" means 'fearless' in Sanskrit. This mudra is a sign of benevolence and peace.

Dhyana Mudra

"Dhyana" connotes 'meditation' in Sanskrit. This mudra is assumed during meditation.

Gyana Mudra

"Gyana" refers to 'knowledge' in Sanskrit.

 

Linga Mudra

"Linga" or "angustha" refers to 'thumb' in Sanskrit.

Mritsanjeevani Mudra

"Air" is referred to as 'Mritsanjeevani' in Sanskrit. This mudra helps in balancing the air element in your body.

Prithvi Mudra

"Prithvi" means 'earth' in Sanskrit. This mudra restores balance of the earth element in your body.

Shunya Mudra

"Shunya" refers to 'zero' or 'sky' in Sanskrit. This mudra helps to connect your mind.

Surya Mudra

In Sanskrit, "Surya" means 'sun'. Sun is the source of energy. This mudra provides energy.

Vaayu Mudra

In Sanskrit, "vaayu" connotes 'air'. Air element of the body gets properly balanced with this mudra.

Varuna Mudra

"Varuna" means 'water' in Sanskrit. This mudra helps maintain balance of water in your body.

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Surya Mudra

Yoga Exercises > Yoga Mudras > Surya Mudra

In Sanskrit, "Surya" means 'sun'. Sun is the source of energy. This mudra provides energy.

Sequence:

1. Spread out your fingers.
2. Bend your ring finger.
3. Place the upper part of the ring finger on the thumb pad.
4. Press it down with the thumb.
5. Spread out and straighten the other fingers.

Benefits:

• This mudra helps reduce fat, thus helping in weight loss.
• Surya mudra provides mental calmness.
• It helps get rid of all mental burden.

ALSO SEE

• Abhaya Mudra
• Dhyana Mudra
• Gyana Mudra
• Linga Mudra
• Mritsanjeevani Mudra
• Prithvi Mudra
• Shunya Mudra
• Vaayu Mudra
• Varuna Mudra

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Pranayama

Basics of Yoga Stages of Yoga Benefits of Yoga Yoga Articles Yoga Diet Yoga Mudras Pranayama Yoga Bandhas Yoga Poses Useful tips for yoga Surya Namaskar Yoga FAQ

Yoga Exercises > Yoga Breathing - Pranayamas

Pranayama is an aspect of Yoga that deals with breathing. It is the breathing process or the control of the motion of inhalation, exhalation and the retention of vital energy. Proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy.

Agnisara

"Agni" connotes 'fire' in Sanskrit. In this pranayama the internal fire is stirred up, thus increasing the body heat.

Anuloma Viloma - Alternate Nostril Breathing

In this pranayama, you breathe in and out through alternate nostrils. Hence the name.

Bhramari Breathing

"Bhramar" means 'bee' in Sanskrit. In this pranayama a humming sound is produced while breathing just like a bee.

Bhastrika Pranayama - Bellow Breathing 
"Bhastrika" refers to 'bellows' in Sanskrit. Air is drawn in and out of the abdomen just as a blacksmith uses his bellows.

Dirgha Pranayama - Complete Breath

"Dirgha" connotes 'long' in Sanskrit. This pranayama involves a long and deep breath which fills all the three chambers of the lungs.

Kapal Bhati

"Kapal" means 'skull' and "bhati" means 'shine' in Sanskrit. This pranayama cleanses the respiratory system, particularly the nasal passages in the skull.

Moorcha Pranayama

In Sanskrit, "Moorcha" means 'fainting' or 'swooning'. This pranayama involves slow inhalation and retention of air for a long period.

 

Sheetali Breathing

"Sheetal" means 'cool' in Sanskrit. This pranayama has a cool effect on the body by lowering the body temperature.

Sheetkari Breathing 

Sheetkari breathing has a cooling effect on your body.

Surya Bheda

In this pranayama, inhalation is done only through the right nostril.

Ujjayi Breathing

The word "Ujjayi" means 'victorious' in Sanskrit.

Also explore the three important  yoga bandhas
and yoga asanas 

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Surya Bheda Pranayama

In this pranayama, inhalation is done only through the right nostril.

Sequence:

1. Sit in Padmasana, keeping your head, neck and back erect.
2. Place your right thumb on the right nostril and the middle finger on the left nostril.
3. Place your index finger in the space between the two eyebrows.
4. Close the left nostril and breathe through the right nostril, filling up your lungs.
5. Close both nostrils and apply Jalandhara Bandha.
6. Raise your head and lift the chin from the throat cavity.
7. Close your right nostril and exhale completely through the left nostril.
8. You can hold your breath for a longer time with time and practic.
9. Start with 10 repetitions and increase it up to 40.

Benefits:

• This pranayama gets rid of all impurities from your body.
• People suffering from asthma, cold and gastric problems can get relief from Surya Bheda.
• Your immune system will get stronger.
• Digestion improves.
• Surya Bheda helps release heat from your body.

ALSO SEE:

• Agnisara
• Anuloma Viloma - Alternate Nostril Breathing
• Bhramari Breathing
• Bhastrika Pranayama - Bellow Breathing
• Dirgha Pranayama — Complete Breath
• Kapal Bhati
• Moorcha Pranayama
• Sheetali Breathing
• Sheetkari Breathing
• Ujjayi Breathing

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