Mudras or Gestures.

Prithvi Mudra (Earth)

Popularly known as Prithvi mudra, this mudra increases the Prithvi (earth) element with in the body. At the same time, it decrease the Agni(fire) element. Therfore, it can also be called Agni-

shaamak mudra.

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the ring finger and the thumb.

Effects : Prithvi-vardhak mudra increase the Prithvi(earth) element within the body but decrease the Agni(fire) element within the body.

The element earth is a vital component of bodily tissues like bones, cartilage, skin, hair, nails, flesh, muscles, tendons, internal organs, etc, Practice of Prithvi-vardhak mudra builds and invigorates these tissues. In other words, this mudra increases the kapha humor within the body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by kapha deficiency. However, it should be practiced in moderation by people who already have and excess of kapha in their bodies.

The element Agni(fire) is concerned with body temperature and metabolism. Since Prithvi-vaardhak(+Agni-shaamak)_ mudra reduces fire, it can be used to pacify an overactive Agni and overcome disorders of Agni-excess like emaciation, fever, inflammation, etc.

The element fire is also a component of bodily humor Pitta.

Therefore, Prithvi-vardhak(+Agni-shaamak) mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced Pitta constitution. They can regularly use this mudra even to avoid illness.

Benefits: Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

1. Cronic fatigue, general debility, convalescence,

2. Lack of Stamina or endurance,

3. Inexplicable, weight-loss, emaciation,

4. Osteoporosis osteomalacia (diminished bone-density, rickets,)

5. Fracture(to expedite union),

6. Degeneration of articular cartilage(Osteo –Arthritis),

7. Weak, atrophied muscles myopahties,

8. Paresis, paralysis, poliomyelitis,

9.dry,cracked, burning ,mature skin,

10.Brittle nails,

11. Hair-loss, premature graying of hair,

12. Burning in eyes, stomach(acidity), urine, anus, hands, feet, head,

13. Aphthous ulcers in the mouth,

14. Ulcers in the stomach, intestines,

15. Inflammatory diseases (disease whose names end with 'it is'),

16 . Jaundice,

17. Fever,

18. Hperthyroidism.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).

However, people with kapha deficiency can do it even for longer periods.

Ideal time: though Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be performed at anytime of the day, practicing it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution : People with a pronounced kapha constitution should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.

(Ref.: http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/prithvi-vardhak-or-prithvi-mudra.html)

Surya Mudra (Fire)

Popularly known as Surya mudra this mudra increases the Agni(fire) elemnt within the body. It can, therefore, be called Agni-vardhak mudra, too. At the same time, this mudra decreases the Prithvi(earth) element with in the body.

Method: This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the ring finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. This amounts to suppression of element earth (residing in the ring finger) by element fire (residing in the thumb). The earth element thus suppressed, fire is able to rage unopposed.

Effect: Prithvi-shaamak or Agni-vardhak mudra increases the Agni(fire) element within the body but subdues the Prithvi(earth) element.

The element Agni (fire) is associated with body temperature and matbolism. Practice of Pritvi-shaamak or Surya mudra helps to maintain the body-temperature and keeps the metabolism going.

The element agni is also connected with vision. Hence, regular practice of surya mudra helps to strengthen weak eyes and improve vision.

Agni is also a component of bodily humor Pitta. Practice of Prithvi-shaamak or Surya mudra increases the Pitta humor within the body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by Pitta deficiency. However, it should be used only in moderation by people having an excess of Pitta.

Prithvi-shaamak mudra decreases the element Prithvi(earth) in the body. It is, therefore, excellent for people having an excess of element Prithvi in their bodies .

The element earth is also a component of bodily humor kapha. Therefore , Prithvi-shaamak mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced kapha constitution. They can regularly practice this mudra even to prevent illness.

Benfits: Prtivi-shaamak (Agni-vardhak; Surya) mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

1.Abnormally low body-temperature,

2,Coldness of skin, body, limbs, hands, feet, etc.

3. Intolerance to cold, shivering,

4. Under activity of the thyroid gland causing slow metabolism,

5.Obesity, progressive weight-gain,

6.Loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation,

7.absence of sweating,

8. Ceratin vison/eye problems, especially cataract.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).

Ideal time: though Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be performed at anytime of the day, practicing it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution: over performance of this mudra may cause undue heating of the body.

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/prithvi-shaamak-or-surya-mudra.html

Aakash shaamak or shoonya mudra

Popularly known as shoonya mudra, this mudra decrease the Aakaash(space) element with in the body .

Method: this mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the middle finger on base of the thumb and tehn bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. The amounts to suppression of element space(residing in the middle finger) by element fire(residng in the thumb).

Effects: aakaash-shaamak mudra decrease the Aakaash(space) element with in the body. It can, therefore, be used to treat disorders (enlisted below) caused by an abnormal increase of space within the body. The element space is associated with ears.

Therefore Aakaash-shaamak mudra helps certain ear disorders. In fact, it is an almost fail proof remedy for ear-pain.

The decreased internal space restricts the rest of the four bodily elements i.e, vaayu(air), agni(fire), jal(water) and pirthvi(earth). Therfore, aakaash-shaamak mudra can be beneficially combined with Vaayu-shamaak, Agni-shammak, Pritvi-shammak and jal-shammak mudras.

The element aakaash is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. The decrease of space in the body form the practice of Aakaash-shammak mudra pacifies the (aggravated) Vaata. Therfore, this mudra is especially suitable for people having a pronounced Vaata constitution (Vaata dosha).

Benefits: Aakash-shamak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

    Feeling of emptiness or numbers in the body or body parts like the head, the chest, the abdomen, etc.,

2. Ear ailments like pain, tinnitus(noises), vertigo and acquired deafness.

duration: In case of acute ear-pain, incapacitating vertigo or severe numbness, perform this mudra continuously till the disorder subsides. For chronic ear ailments or numness perform this mudra for 45 minutes either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e., for 15 minutes thrice a day).

Ideal time: for chronic disease, this mudra should, if possible be performed at anytime other than 2.00 to 6.00 am/pmgives better results.

Precaution : Experienced doctors believe that the practice of this mudra should be discontinued as soon as the disease has been overcome.

  http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/aakaash-shaamak-or-shoonya-mudra.html

Aakaash-vardhak or Aakash mudra

Popularly known as Aakaash mudra this mudra increases the (inactive) Aakaash(ether or space) element with in the body.

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and middle finger.

Effects: Aakaash-vardhak mudra increases the aakash(space0 element with in the body. Since the space within the body is a part of the outer space (aakaash or cosmos), practise of the mudra enables the individual(aatmaa) to reunite with the collective consciousness(Paramaatmaa or God). Negative emotions like fear, anger,sorrow, etc. are replaced by positive emotions and thoughts.

The above- mentioned increase in internal space is effected by the elimination of metabolic wastes from the body. Thus Aakaash-vardhak mudra is a detoxifying mudra.

The increased internal space enables the rest of the four bodily elements:vaayu(air), agni(fire), jal(water) and prtihvi (earth) to increase , affording them a room to act. Thus , Aakaash-vardhak mudra can be beneficially combined wiht mudras that increase the other four elements(i.e, Vaayu-vardhak mudra, Prithvi vardhak mudra, Agni-vardhak mudra and jal-vardhak mudra).

In general, Aakaash-vardhak mudra is an excellent mudra that stimulates noble thoughts and helps the practioner to take rapid strides along the path to moksha(salvation).It also helps a person who wishes to scale great heigths in the art of meditation.

The element Aakaash is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. Therfore, Aakaash-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor of the body. It should be djone in moderation by people of Vaata constitution.

Benfits: Practice of Aakaash-vardhak mudra helps -

·  to develop noble, elevated thoughts,

·  to develop intuiton and extra sensory powers(ESP),

·  to detoxify the body by the elimination of metabolic wastes(thorugh exhaled air, Sweat, urine and stools),

·  to overcome a feeling of fullness/heaviness in the body or body-parts,

·  to overcome discomfort caused by over-eating

·  to relieve congestion (and pain) in the head (due to migraine or sinusitis), ear/s (due to infection) , chest (due to infection/asthma), etc.

·  Hight blood pressure, irregular heart-beats, angina pectoris, etc.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e for 15 minutes, thrice a day)

Ideal time: Though Aakaash-vardhak or gyaan mudra can be performed at any time of the day, practising it at any time between 2.00 to 6.00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution: People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti(constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/aakaash-vardhak-or-aakash-mudra.html

 The following weblink enlists disorders and corrective mudras for each:

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/diseases-that-can-be-cured-by-mudras.html

Please refer to the attached files for pictures of the mudras. Just in case you cannot view the pictures please access the weblinks mentioned.