Everyone knows about yoga and the benefits it can bring to your life.

This ancient form of

exercise started in India and, has now reached far and wide across the world. Most want to be
physically more active but, due to work pressures, stress and travelling schedules, workouts
get disturbed and track of an individual’s fitness our progress is lost. So what can be done in
such cases?

I have few ways on how we can be more active during the day by sparring few minutes in a
day for our health. Just do simple ‘Hand Yoga’.

The importance of specific hand position is common in spiritual and healing arts tradition.
India is home to perhaps the largest collection of such hand gestures. The Sanskrit word
Mudra means “gesture”. These Hand gesture (Mudras) stimulates the flow of vital energy in
unique ways, affecting organs, glands and nervous system of the body. Such gestures mainly
used while doing yoga postures (Asanas), Pranayam (breathing practices) and Meditation.

Let’s learn about different types of Hand gestures (Mudras) and their benefits –

1. JNANA/ GYAN MUDRA- In this hand gesture (Mudra) thumb and index finger are
touching and form a circle; the other three fingers are stretched casually. The palms
are facing upwards. This hand gesture (Mudra) is known as the gesture of knowledge
and wisdom. The Index Finger symbolizes the ego that is beaten by the universal
wisdom, which is represented by thumb.

Benefit

 It stimulates brain functions, the sense of touch and harmonizes the nervous
system.
 Calms the soul gives inner peace, promotes concentration as well as memory and
helps in insomnia and depression.

2. AAKASH MUDRA- To perform this -the thumb and middle finger are brought
together. The other fingers are casually stretching. Aakash stands for The Element of
room or ether.

Benefit

 It helps to overcome obstacles and blockades that is, stress related to personal or
professional life.
 It also helps with heart diseases, toothache, a stiff jaw, ear ache and weight
regulation, strengthening bones, intuition and awareness are
strengthened and feeling and thoughts are cleansed.
3. SUNYA MUDRA – In this you bend middle finger until it touches the ball below the
thumb. The thumb performs light pressure on middle finger. The other fingers are
stretched. Put your hands, palms facing up, on your thighs. Sunya Means “sky” or
“zero”.

Benefits

 It has a healing effect on the ear area and helps with different complaints such as
ear aches, ringing in ears.
  It can help with imbalance, dizziness, travel sickness, sea sickness and nausea
brought by movement.
 It helps in healing throat and nose infections.

4. – It is formed by folding the ring finger so that it touches the lower end of the
thumb. The thumb pushes the ring finger slightly down and other fingers are casually
stretched upwards. Surya Mudra activates the fire element of the body.

Benefits

 It activates the metabolism therefore suited for people who want to lose body fat/
weight and improves their cholesterol levels.
 It helps to heal cold by creating warmth inside the body.
 It Helps To Strengthening the eyes and improve the eyesight.

5. JALODAR NASHAK MUDRA – To perform this, the small finger is bending

towards the thumb. The thumb pushes the small finger slightly down. The thumb
pushes the small finger slightly down. The Name of this hand gesture (Mudra) is
made up of from three words JAL for “water”, UDAR for “ stomach”and NASHAK
for “ finish”. The small finger represent the water element.

Benefits Of it-
  It reduces excess water in the body. Swelling, excessive salivation, watering eyes,
runny nose and heavy periods.

Apart From These 5 main hand gestures (Mudras), the other important hand gesture (Mudras)
is DHANYI MUDRA which is a classical mediation gesture where hands lay causally in your
lap which gives feeling of contentment and ATMANJALI or NAMASKAR which symbolises
gratefulness or respect which lead to inner balance. Of mind and soul, and many more hand
gestures (Mudras) are in the list.

You can try these hand gestures (Mudra) anywhere and anytime. Just Relax and be gentle.
Activating the energy in your hands will in turn activate the corresponding energy in the rest
of body and evoke sense of overall vitality. If you are new to yogic practices, then these hand
gestures (Mudras) will be a great way to start practising this ancient form of fitness.

Jalodar Nashak Mudra

Definition - What does Jalodar Nashak Mudra mean?
Jalodar nashak mudra is a yogic gesture designed to heal by promoting the balance of water
in the body. It is one of a series of therapeutic mudras thought to have healing properties.

To perform this mudra, the tip of the little finger is placed at the base of the thumb, and the
thumb gently touches the back of the little finger. The remaining three fingers should be
extended yet relaxed.

The name for this mudra comes from the Sanskrit jal, meaning “water,” udar, meaning
“stomach,” nashak, meaning “finish,” and mudra, meaning “gesture.” Jalodar is also the
Sanskrit term for "dropsy" or "edema," which is the swelling of soft tissues resulting from an
abnormal accumulation of fluid.
Yogapedia explains Jalodar Nashak Mudra
In jalodar nashak mudra, the little finger signifies water. By controlling excess water in the
body, the mudra is credited with the following benefits:

 Reduces swelling throughout the body

 Stops excessive urination
 Relieves heavy menstruation and cramps
 Removes impurities from the blood
 Restores skin moisture
 Treats excessive salivation, runny nose and watery eyes
Aakash Mudra
Definition - What does Aakash Mudra mean?
Aakash mudra is a symbolic, ritualistic gesture of the hands often used in Ayurveda and
spiritual yoga practice to increase the element of space, or the cosmos, within the body. The
name comes from the Sanskrit words aakash (or akash), meaning "view" or "recognize," and
mudra, which means "gesture," "mark" or "seal."

In this mudra, the tips of the middle fingers are pressed to the tips of the thumbs on each
hand, and the other fingers are held straight.

Yogapedia explains Aakash Mudra

Increasing the element of space, or cosmos, within the body helps the practitioner to unite
with a specific deity or a broader cosmic power. It is also believed to make an individual's
way of thinking more honorable, as it assists in removing negative emotions like anger,
sorrow or fear. Additionally, this mudra detoxifies the body, eases discomfort due to
overeating, and offers relief from arrhythmia, chest pain and high blood pressure.

Aakash mudra activates the visuddha (throat) chakra, which governs communication, self-
expression, truth and purification.

It is recommended to practice aakash mudra in a quiet setting, while meditating and focusing
on the breath if possible. This should be done for 30 to 45 minutes a day, especially between
the hours of 2 to 6 a.m. or 2 to 6 p.m.