Types of Mudras
Mudras in general are used mainly in three fields:
(a) Dance (to express the feelings and emotions through bodily gestures).
(b) Rituals (in performing certain worships) and
(c) Hatha Yoga (to help in stabilizing the mind).
We will limit ourselves to the region of Hatha Yoga which includes Asanas, Pranayama,
Satkriyas, Bandhas and Mudras. Many of the Yoga texts take Bandhas and Mudras as a single
unit.
According to Gheranda Samhita, there are mainly 25 Mudras, whereas Hatha Pradipika
describes only 10 of these. Among them the following twenty are the most important ones:
1.Maha Mudra, 2.Maha Bhandha, 3.Maha Vedha, 4.Yoga Mudra, 5.Viuparitakarani, 6.Vajroli,
7.Sakticalani, 8.Khecari Mudra, 9.Yoni Mudra, 10.Uddiyana Bandha, 11.Jalandhara Bandha
and, 12.Mula Bandha, 13. Some Minor Mudras
Hathapradipika describes 10 main Mudras, excluding Yoga Mudra and Yoni Mudra, from the
above mentioned list of 12 Mudras. There are various minor Mudras too, which are prevent
and practiced by the Hatha Yogis.
MAHA MUDRA (Royal Gesture)
Sir with legs stretched, bend the left leg at the knee and press the perineum with the
heel. Inhale completely and hold the breath. Catch hold of the big toe of the stretched
right leg with both hands by bending the waist forward. Keep the chest up. Have Mula
Bandha. While making a swallowing movement, bend the neck forwards and press the chin on
the chest. Inhale and have Jalandhara Bandha. While maintaining, relax the head region and
feel the locking of air below the throat. Maintain for something and then very slowly
exhale. Release the lock by raising the head back and exhale slowly. Repeat this with the
other leg also. Repeat for equal number of times on either side every day. |
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BENEFITS: Many diseases of the stomach are cured by this. Very useful in curing
seminal weakness. |
ASVINI MUDRA: (Horse-Anus Gesture)
Sit erect in Padmasana. Exhale. Hold the breath and pull up the anus by contracting the
sphincter; hold for about 10 seconds and inhale. Release the anus. Repeat this
rhythmically and about 10 to 30 times.
BENEFITS: This Mudra is useful in evoking the spiritual forces dormant in
the lower centers. Useful for pregnant women, and incurring urinary and anal incontinence.
Asvini mudra done in Viparitakarani posture is useful in treating piles and prolapsed
uterus.
SAMUKHI MUDRA (Six-faced Gesture)
Sit erect in any meditative posture. Spread out the fingers of both hands over the face,
and close the eyes, ears and nose tightly using the following fingers: Index fingers over
the eyes, thumbs over the Tragus of the ears, middle fingers over the nostrils, ring and
little fingers over the lips thus closing all the orifices in the face. Open alternate
nostrils by releasing only middle fingers, to carry on the breathing as in Nadi Suddhi
Pranayama. This is Sanmukhi Mudra.
BENEFITS: This mudra is very helpful in taking the mind to meditation. It
cuts off all external stimuli coming from the four special senses that is vision, hearing
, smell and taste. Hence the mind can easily dwell inmeditation by following the final
internal sound of the breath along with the mantra. Useful in persons suffering from
tension headaches.
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