Hasta Mudras

Mudras are one of the yogic traditions most ancient practices. They are profound movers and enhancers of energy, giving balance to the elements as the constituents of our form and the various subtle, divine and cosmic forces of influence in our lives.

Used to heighten states of dhyana- meditation, to heal the physical and subtle layers of the body, practiced to energize and potentize ritual, classical dance and invoke grace and blessings for self and others.

They are guided by a deep understanding of metaphysical science. They can bring immediate results in some situations, are simple to practice, do require a capacity to focus inwardly with awareness and breath, if that is not there their effect makes us more aware of our subtle nature and capacities.

I have known practitioners of Yoga Chikitsa who to a large extent use only mudra to facilitate profound shifts in body, energy, mind and consciousness yielding sometime remarkable results.

We will begin to introduce various general and beneficial mudras through our posts and blogs. Some mudras are best taught in consultation to ensure they are the right fit for the person, their constitutional balance and nature.

Here we share one very useful hasta mudra

Pushan Mudra - pushan means ‘one who nourishes’. This hasta mudra generates often significant benefits to digestion even for those who have tried many methods prior with moderate results. It practice reduces acidity, wind, reflux, bloating, digestive discomfort, associated with poor digestion and aggravated vayus. It benefits the organs of digestion particularly liver and gall bladder. Practice of this mudra aids all stages of digestion. It can aid taking deep nourishment into the tissues and converting food into energy and experience into insight. Our ability to eliminate and let go is also enhanced.

This mudra has the left and right hands in different gestures. The left hand forms apana mudra - ring and middle finger tips press to the thumb tip, while the right hand forms vyana mudra- index and middle fingertips to the thumb tip. The gesture helps to balance all the vayus (the subtle energies at the root of all human function).

It has both a calmative and awakening effect, and so brings balance to physiology and state of mind. The two gestures represent the lower and upper levels of the subtle energy system and so they both ground and uplift.

I have known many people to greatly reduce inflammation and blockage of both the gall bladder and liver and to reduce many of the issues of vata disturbance in the digestive process. When these issues are present natural hunger and appetite may be suppressed, practice may restore natural hunger which restores body intelligence and healthy eating habits.

To practice it is useful to sit in vajrasana with support between the heels and hips if needed and after meals for 10-15 minutes. If vajrasana is not possible then any seated posture, or sit on a chair with an elongated spine, open chest and good deep rhythmical breath. Close your eyes, observe your breath and the tangible and subtle sensations the mudra activates. The practice can raise internal warmth or heat that has a transformative and healing action. Sometimes the excess heat in the body is in the wrong place and this practice may return the heat to the digestive process where it is more beneficial. Or if digestive fire is low it may increase.

It can also be practiced whenever you feel digestive discomfort.

Enjoy the benefits of the practice