The body is made up of five basic elements and can remain fit and free of ailments only if all five are balanced.The five fingers of a hand represent the five elements. According to the science of yoga, the human body is made up of five basic elements - the Pancha Tatvas. The five fingers of the hand are regarded as representative symbols of these vital elements in the body. Any disturbance, disorder or deficiency in these elements or the consequent disease or imbalance could be rectified and cured by appropriate practice of suitable mudras. Regular practice of these mudras is affirmed by the experts as an excellent method of ensuring a radiantly healthy and vigorous life. If you touch any element to the tip of the thumb, it expands and when you touch it to the base of the thumb it reduces.
In this way, we can very easily increase or decrease the various elements in our body, depending on the need of the situation, using our fingers through the science of mudras. If at that time, you place your index finger at the base of the thumb , the air element will normalise and you will feel better. The science of mudras is a perfect and precise science, however, it is not taught en mass. It is given by the Guru to the shishya, individually, as per his/her individual needs and capacity. Our fingers have the characteristics of these elements and each element serves a specific and important body function. When a finger representing an element is brought in contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance.
Mudras adjust the flow of energy affecting the balance of the elements and restores health," she says. This Mudra is formed by joining the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger, while keeping the other three fingers straight and relaxed. This mudra helps to control the Ether element within us. It also controls high blood pressure, reduces dullness in the body, and can remove anger and fear. This hand gesture is used to improve intuition and alertness and sensory powers.
It can also make your thoughts purer and your emotions balanced and steady. Each of these five elements has a specific and crucial job within the body, and our fingers have the qualities of each of them. When a finger representing one of the elements makes contact with the thumb, that element is balanced. Mudras modify energy flow, changing the equilibrium of air, fire, water, earth, and ether, thus facilitating healing and health restoration.
Eating is supposed to be a sensory experience and it is said to evoke emotion and passion. According to the Vedas, hands are the most precious organs of action. The scriptures reveal how every finger is an extension of the five elements. Through the thumb comes space, with the forefinger comes air, the middle finger is fire, the ring finger is water and the little finger represents earth.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine , five elements, or five phases, theory outlines the relationship between the different elements in nature and the life force, or "qi," that flows through them. The basic elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each individual is a blend of these elements, and in order to be truly healthy, they need to be balanced. Dr. Bret Mosher can explain how he utilizes the theory ofthe five elements of Chinese Medicine in order to treat patients at his Poway, CA-based practice.
First, on both hands simultaneously, touch the tips of your thumb and index finger together and hold for approximately five seconds. Then, move your thumb to your middle finger and hold that connection. Do several rounds of this until your breathing has slowed and you are ready to return to your day or drift off to sleep. If you already have a regular meditation practice, you may already be using a mudra and not realize it. By sitting and holding your hands in this way you are activating your diaphragm and creating a healthy flow of oxygen in and out of your body.
Shaman Kings in China viewed the human hand as the most poignant example of the five fundamental elements. The thumb symbolizes Earth, the index finger is Metal, the middle finger is Fire, the ring finger is Wood, and the little finger is Water. These elements are believed to be interconnected to balance the forces of nature. In Chinese Philosophy , the middle finger or Fire element means prosperity of the matter. Our body is a reflection of the entire creation with its five elements.
Earth forms the core of the creation, similarly the muscles and bones comprise the earth element and form the core structure of our body. Above the earth surface, one finds water—rivers, oceans and other water bodies. Similarly, in our body, Mooladhar gives way to Swadhisthan, which represents the water element. As one rises through water to the surface of the water body, there is light.
As one rises up the Swadhisthan chakra in the body, there is Manipoorak, chakra of agni tattva. Agni is not just fire, it is also light , the digestive fire and sexual energy . In fact, the ability of door-drishiti, which we call clairvoyance, also originates from the agni tattva.
If jaap of Manipoorak chakra is done properly, then the eyesight can never deteriorate. Aspects of yoga practice and wisdom is concerned with the relational patterns between different areas on the hand and fingers and parts of the brain. Like the study of reflexology on the feet, the hands have been found to be highly sensitive, potent areas of neural and energy pathways and meridians. These are known as 'mudras', a Sanskrit term that can be readily translated to mean a 'seal', 'mark', or 'gesture'. With the practice of yoga mudra, we're trying to harness the energy in our hands and to couple it with intention and conscious action. It is said that these gestures of our fingers and hands give us the ability to directly influence the elemental energies in the body.
Each finger correlates with the five elements; thumb with fire, index with air, middle with ether/space, ring with earth, and little finger with water. Uniting the fingers and the thumb is what ignites the energy to flow. The outcomes vary depending on which gestures your thumb and fingers are making as each placement gives off a different effect. This is because each element carries it's own energetic qualities. Thus, the tension applied to the nerves and the neural or psycho-neural circuits formed by the mudras help in balancing the five universal elements. The balancing of the tension, and redirection of the internal energy effects the changes in veins, tendons, glands and sensory organs, to bring the body back to a healthy state.
Keeping specified nerves stretched for specified periods tones up of the nervous system. The fingers of each hand are held folded in certain specific postures and this provides the required tension on the nerves. According to Ayurveda, diseases are caused due to disharmony between the three dosha-s – vata, pitta and kapha, which are also made up of five elements.
Dosha-s determine the fundamental constitution of an individual, and uphold the human body. Vata dosha is caused by an imbalance between air and space elements, pitta dosha by fire and water elements and kapha dosha by water and earth elements. Incorporate Hand Mudras Into Your Meditation Practice to Level up Your Life. Each finger represents a different element, Unplug Meditation teacher Megan Monahan says. The thumb symbolizes space; the index is air; the middle finger is fire; the ring finger is water; and the pinky stands for earth.
In Hinduism, the middle finger believed to radiate energy to infinity, called the heavenly finger. Thus, meditating with a middle finger would harness the energy to find the drive to act and overcome fear. In the case of Buddhism, the middle finger makes sense in Dharmachakra mudra and Karana Mudra.
Dharmachakra mudra means the setting into motion of the Wheel of the aching of the Dharma, and Karana Mudra means banishing evil or removing obstacles and sickness. Just like Hinduism and Buddhism, the middle finger in Taoism is the key component of any ritual in Kuji-in or Nine Hand Seal. The middle finger is the key component of hand gestures such as Tao, Sword, San Qing, and Jin Gang to complete. More than just the "bad finger" finger", the middle finger has a lot more meaning in the spiritual context.
Interlace your middle, ring and little fingers and touch your index fingers together at their tips while extending your thumbs up and connected at their tips. The first version you would interlace your thumbs and hold this at your solar plexus, parallel to the floor. Uttarabodhi Mudrā is very uplifting and energizing whichever way practiced. The practice of this mudra removes the fatigue and strengthens the weak or tired organs of the body.
The energy of the body naturally strengthens and enthuses the mind, which was earlier dull and irritated because of the constant weakness of the body. A happy mood helps in cheering up and broadening the attitude and focusing the mind. Narrow-mindedness and prejudices are significantly reduced by the practice of this mudra. The tip of the ring finger is kept perpendicularly on the tip of the thumb in this mudra to induce gentle pressure.
It restores mutual balance of the agni and the prithvi tatvas. As described earlier, the thumb is supposed to be the source of the flow of agni tatva in the body. This pressure triggers a flow of agni tatva to establish the desired balance with the jala tatva; the positioning of the other fingers maintains the necessary consistency of this process.
This hand posture is known as the 'seal of mental clarity'. The little finger represents water and communication combined with fire in the thumb. When utilised regularly this mudra balances and activates the salivary glands, moisture and lubrication in the body.
It encourages openness and fluid, effective communication. The word mudra is a Sanskrit word meaning a hand gesture that symbolizes something – and accordingly bestows joy and happiness. Mudras, thus, can influence the pranic energy – further branching out into emotional, mental, physical and spiritual energies. By positioning our hands as dictated by the rishis of yore, we link our bodies to the cosmos – thereby easing pain, stimulating hormones and increasing our pranic vitality. Spread extensively across Hinduism and Buddhism, it is said that there are some 400 mudras already.
Yoga mudra is typically practiced in a comfortable meditation sitting position such as Easy pose , any variation of Lotus pose , or Hero pose . You can even sit on a chair if you're not comfortable with sitting on the ground. This allows us to honor our physical body, our emotional body, and even our mental body. In the most basic terms, yoga mudras promote the flow of energy in the subtle body and support you on your journey within. Subtle means 'that what is most delicate', 'that what is most refined'. Jayadi Homa Mantras proclaim that agni is supreme among all the five elements, as it is able to control the other four elements.
Similarly the thumb is the most important among the five fingers of the hand. Thumb supports the other fingers to function as we desire. Thumb is responsible for balancing, decreasing or increasing the other elements by forming mudras. We can manipulate fingers and thumbs in various gestures and regulate the element, thereby restoring health.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the middle finger represents the body's head, neck, and trunk. Thin needles are inserted into these pressure points to preserve the flow of energy . The entire world is undergoing a huge shift with so many changes taking place and a lot of fear subsiding from this global pandemic. Everyone is experiencing this in their own way, but we must not forget that we are all in this together.
Not only has this brought fear forth, but also worry, anxiety, anger, confusion, denial. It's completely normal and even healthy to feel all of these as we all process what is taking place. However it's crucial we balance out those emotions by taking the courage to tap into ourselves with a reminder that we are strong and will rise above. Within the many mudrās, there are handfuls that can help bring you back down to earth to claim your power and uplift your spirits. The hands could be kept in vertical or horizontal position as per convenience. Instant effect of the prana mudra is felt in the form of energetic vibrations in the closed eyes, while keeping one or both the hands in this posture.
This mudra deals with harmonic compounding of the jala, prithvi and agni tatvas. To do this mudra, sit in padmasana and practice it for 10 minutes, at any time of the day, whenever you are feeling tired physically, mentally or emotionally. To do this bend the ring and the little finger, touching the tips of both to the tip of your thumb, keeping the other two fingers straight.
Regular Practice Of Yog Mudra can decrease and increase certain element in the body so choose your Mudras properly. The middle finger is connected to Ether and Space/ Akash and Vishuddha Chakra, the throat chakra. Ether is openness, eternity, stillness, endless possibilities, clarity, light, our voice and ability to speak. In excess we can feel empty and unsettled, insecure and unconnected. The middle finger is connected to the element of Space.
Since the middle finger is our longest finger, it's often referred to as the stairway to the divine as it's facing up into the direction of the ever spacious infinite of the Space element. The relevant gesture is called Akasha Mudra and is done by sealing the middle finger with the thumb of each hand. In yoga, mudras are usually applied in meditation and in combination with Pranayama to guide the flow of energy through the body. The underlying assumption is that different areas of the hand can stimulate specific areas of the brain.
Applying gentle pressure to these areas of the hand with the fingers is said to activate the corresponding region in the brain. Apart from that, each mudra symbolizes a certain feeling, emotion, or state of being. Mudras assume a new dimension as they help humans to sustain health naturally like other species.
The five fingers of each hand represent the five elements of the body. I experience low energy from time to time and feel that spending just a few minutes working through the routine can really help to get my energy flowing properly again. I had relied heavily on caffeine hits before coming across the acupressure massage rings but thankfully have been able to eliminate coffee altogether. Lifting your middle finger is the most obscene gesture in Western culture, but it does not hold the same meaning for some Chinese elderly. In Chinese tradition, the middle finger symbolizes the Fire element, which means prosperity.
