Maha Mudra
Dr.V.S.SURESH Phd., Email: bksureshv@gmail.com
How to do: One has to first perform Mula bandha and press the Kanda(space between anus and the generative organ) by the right heel.Keep the left leg straight. Bend down and hold the big toe of the left foot with both hands. Bring the head down until it touches the knee. This position is also known as Janu-Shira-Asan. In Maha mudra, Janu Shira Asana is associated with the Bandhas, and pranayama. Inhale and while retaining the breath performJalandhar Bandha Bandha . Then Exhale while performing Uddiyan Bandha (taking the navel forcibly towards the back). Perform the pranayama as long as you can.
The same can be repeated by keeping the right leg straight and by pressing the Kanda with the left heel.
The gaze should stay between the eyebrows(bhru-Madhya Drishti). Meditate upon the Ajna Chakra.
duration :This mudra can be done as long as one can.
Maha mudra should be followed by Maha Bandha and Maha Vedha.
Benefits: This exercise enables the combined forces of Prana and Apana to pass through Sushumna, which awakens the Kundalini. This cures Hemorrhoids or piles, gastritis, constipation, consumption and various morbid conditions of the body thereby augmenting digestion and toning up the nervous system.
The same can be repeated by keeping the right leg straight and by pressing the Kanda with the left heel.
The gaze should stay between the eyebrows(bhru-Madhya Drishti). Meditate upon the Ajna Chakra.
duration :This mudra can be done as long as one can.
Maha mudra should be followed by Maha Bandha and Maha Vedha.
Benefits: This exercise enables the combined forces of Prana and Apana to pass through Sushumna, which awakens the Kundalini. This cures Hemorrhoids or piles, gastritis, constipation, consumption and various morbid conditions of the body thereby augmenting digestion and toning up the nervous system.
Maha Vedha Mudra
In Maha Vedha, press the Kanda with the left heel. Perform Mula Bandha . Place the riht foot on the left thigh. Then perform Jalandhar Bandha by pressing the chin against the chest. Place both palms on the ground and then balancing the body on the hands raise the buttocks with the left heel pressing against the Kanda, then bring it down on the ground(gently). Perform inhalation of breath in the beginning of the practice and after few times of striking, exhale.
This exercise is a great purifier of the body and the mind. It also awakens Kundalini Shakti and tleads to the attainment of Samdhi.
This exercise is a great purifier of the body and the mind. It also awakens Kundalini Shakti and tleads to the attainment of Samdhi.
Mudras for enlightenment
We had so far seen mudras for health and curing disease in my previous posts but there so many mudras beyond for health to enlightenment mudras. Literally the meaning of mudras is a seal. It is called so because it seals the mind with the soul. Exercises falling under mudra are associated with retention of breath. Infact bandhas and mudras go together. Mudras control the vital forces(pranas) and thereby the mind in order to awaken the hidden mystic powers.
Once the potentialities of the spirit are unfolded before the performer, he can conquer all diseases and move towards God-realization.
Mudras helps the striver to awaken Kundalini to check the distractions of the mind and to sublimate vital energy into Ojas Shakti or spiritual energy. With the help of this Shakti he can exp;ore the mysteries.
Once th yogi attains spiritual energy, his personality blooms; he is able to attract men, his will power becomes strong and his mind balanced.
But in order to draw maximum benifits of Bandhas and mudras one must purify heart by selfless service of humanity and by developing virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, purity. etc. Mere performance on any yoga exercises will not lead to the attainment of powers.
There are so many nudras that are in vogue and practiced, we had seen so far around 26 mudras for health and personality .
Here are some important mudras for enlightenment.
Once the potentialities of the spirit are unfolded before the performer, he can conquer all diseases and move towards God-realization.
Mudras helps the striver to awaken Kundalini to check the distractions of the mind and to sublimate vital energy into Ojas Shakti or spiritual energy. With the help of this Shakti he can exp;ore the mysteries.
Once th yogi attains spiritual energy, his personality blooms; he is able to attract men, his will power becomes strong and his mind balanced.
But in order to draw maximum benifits of Bandhas and mudras one must purify heart by selfless service of humanity and by developing virtues such as non-violence, truthfulness, purity. etc. Mere performance on any yoga exercises will not lead to the attainment of powers.
There are so many nudras that are in vogue and practiced, we had seen so far around 26 mudras for health and personality .
Here are some important mudras for enlightenment.
Matangini Mudra
How to do : Draw water through the nostrils but throw it out through the mouth. While throwing th ewater through the mouth, give the mouth a tube like shape and let the water gush forth forcible.
Benefits : Matangini mudra tones the optical nerves and the brain. It removes headache, prevents cold, adds lustre to the face and leads to peace of mind
Benefits : Matangini mudra tones the optical nerves and the brain. It removes headache, prevents cold, adds lustre to the face and leads to peace of mind
Ashwini Mudra
How to do : For this sit either in Sukhasan or in Vajrasan. You may practice this in thie lying pose, keeping th elegs folded in such a way that the heels touch the buttocks, contract the anus and release it. Repeat many times. Contraction and dilation of the anus removes constipation, enables the yogi to master Apana Vayu and helps to unfold Muladhara Chakra or the basal plexus.
Kaki Mudra
How to do : Sit in Sidhasana, draw the tongue out in a tube-like shape and inhale through the tongue. Retain the breath. Draw the tongue in and perform Yoni mudra . Exhale through the left nostril. Again do the same and exhale through the right nostril. Do it several times.
Benefits :This Kaki mudra cools the body, removes excess of bile, purifies the blood and develops the mystic vision.
Benefits :This Kaki mudra cools the body, removes excess of bile, purifies the blood and develops the mystic vision.
Shambhavi Mudra
How to do : The practitioner should sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with eyes steady looking in the void and keeping the mind focused in the heart. One should practice not to wink before this. He has to forget the body and the surroundings and let the mind merge in silence.
Benefits : By dong Shambhavi mudra one has more and more peace come unto him.
Benefits : By dong Shambhavi mudra one has more and more peace come unto him.
Unmani Mudra
This Unmani mudra can be practiced by only those who have reached a higher state in yoga.
How to do : In this one has to sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the eyes half open. Then he has to fix mind on the space just a few inches from the eyes. Meditate upon the Self that is formless, nameless and Infinite, without any thought in mind and mind in calm meditation.
Benefits : This gives peace of mind and unfolds inner glories of the Spirit through Samadhi.
How to do : In this one has to sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the eyes half open. Then he has to fix mind on the space just a few inches from the eyes. Meditate upon the Self that is formless, nameless and Infinite, without any thought in mind and mind in calm meditation.
Benefits : This gives peace of mind and unfolds inner glories of the Spirit through Samadhi.
Viparita Karani Mudra
This Viparita Karani word means Sanskrit inverted. One has to lie down relaxed. Gradually raise both the legs and the hips. Support the waist with hands more or less in Sarvanga Asan pose.
By tis practice, the positons of the Sun and Moon are reversed. Hence it is called Viparita Karani.
It is the opinion of yoga masters that sun dwells in the navel and moon in Sahasrara. The nectar that flows from the moon is consumed by the fire at the navel. This leads to decay and death. But by the constant practice of this mudra the nectar of the moon is perserved.
Duration recommended is a few minutes to start with but can be gradually increased to two hours or more. After a few weeks the face shines with spiritual lustre, wrinkles are removed, eyes become healthier, and digestion becomes keen.
By tis practice, the positons of the Sun and Moon are reversed. Hence it is called Viparita Karani.
It is the opinion of yoga masters that sun dwells in the navel and moon in Sahasrara. The nectar that flows from the moon is consumed by the fire at the navel. This leads to decay and death. But by the constant practice of this mudra the nectar of the moon is perserved.
Duration recommended is a few minutes to start with but can be gradually increased to two hours or more. After a few weeks the face shines with spiritual lustre, wrinkles are removed, eyes become healthier, and digestion becomes keen.
