Mudra Yoga                                               MUDRA019.TXT
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       Mudra Yoga  your well-being is in your hands by Philippa Thomson

       Next time you are feeling a bit frazzled and tired, instead of
       reaching for the coffee pot, try this simple exercise: Sit
       comfortably (cross-legged if possible - but you can do this at your
       desk if you must). Touch the tops of your little fingers and ring
       fingers lightly onto the tip of your thumb and sit quietly for a few
       minutes. You will be surprised at the feeling if vitality and
       serenity that sweeps over you. You'll feel more awake, more
       confident and less tense. There! Did you try that?

       This is called Tatva Yoga, and the simple but effective little
       exercise you have just performed is called a mudra - the Pran Mudra.
       Ideally, you would perform your mudras for three to five minutes
       three times a day seated cross-legged on your bed. But if taking
       time out is a problem, you can easily fold your hands into the mudra
       while sitting in your car or even while going for a walk. You won't
       need to wear a leotard and nobody is going to make you stand on your
       head! According to ancient Ayurvedic teaching, your body is made up
       of five elements: Fire, Air, Space, Earth and Water, and each of
       your fingers represents one of them. The thumb is Agni (fire), the
       forefinger is Vayu (air), the middle finger is Akash (space), the
       ring finger Prithvi (earth) and the little finger Jal (water). The
       Ayurvedas state the root of all diseases lies in the imbalance of
       one of these five elements. Using the tremendous flow of energy
       present in our hands, each of these elements can be controlled
       through our fingers, activating vibrations that restore your
       elemental balance with resulting improvement in your health and
       emotional well-being.

       The characteristic pose of Buddha in pictures and sculptures, seated
       cross-legged, his hands folded, with the thumb and index finger
       touching and the other three fingers outstretched, is a familiar
       one. This is the mudra called Gyan Mudra and you can achieve similar
       Buddha-like serenity by doing likewise. You will discover this
       particular mudra will quiet and clear your mind, and settle your
       emotions. They're easy, aren't they? Here are some more mudras for
       you to try:

       Varuna Mudra is a little like the Gyan Mudra: Touch the tip of the
       little finger with the tip of the thumb while the other fingers are
       kept upright. Regular practise ensures an optimum level of water in
       your body and assists in the healing of all ailments connected with
       dehydration. Surahi Mudra: Join the little finger of one hand with
       the ring finger of the other and vice versa. Similarly, join the
       forefinger with the middle finger of the other hand and vice versa.
       Leave your thumbs free. This controls rheumatic inflammation and
       colds, and sharpens your intellect.

       Apan Mudra: Join your middle and ring fingers with the tip of your
       thumb. Your forefinger and little finger should be held upright.
       This mudra is used to provide relief in urinary problems and
       difficulty in labour and delivery. It facilitates the discharge of
       waste matter from your body and purifies your system.

       Shunya Mudra: Try this one for earache and practise regularly to
       help alleviate deafness. Bend your middle finger to touch the root
       of your thumb, then press it lightly with the thumb.

       Surabhi Mudra helps control rheumatic inflammation and sharpens
       intellect. It's called the "cow posture" because you make "cloven
       hooves" of your hands by putting your little finger and your ring
       finger together, and also your middle finger and forefinger
       together. You will find it will clear your head and enable you to
       concentrate better.

       Vayu Mudra, with continued practise, will stop muscular ailments
       such as rheumatism and sciatica: Bend your first finger to touch the
       root of the thumb, then press it down by placing the thumb over it.

       Lastly, the Linga Mudra, the "weight reduction mudra." (Be aware
       that this pose will generate heat in your body and should only be
       performed if you are drinking at least eight glasses of water a
       day). Join your palms in front of your chest and lock the facing
       fingers together keeping one thumb upright, encircled by the other
       thumb and index finger. Hold for three minutes, release and repeat
       twice. It is important to remember that this mudra is very effective
       but can be tiring and is thus best left until the end of the day.

       Mudras never generate an excess of energy, they simply seek an
       optimal balancing of the life force (known as prana) in your body -
       much like a thermostat. So next time you feel a bit low, it may just
       be an instance of imbalance in your body that can easily be cured by
       this subtle sleight of hand.