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| Home > Mudras > Origin of Mudra
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| | Origin of Mudra
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Yoga is an ancient system of exercises and personal development that was born in India over 5,000 years ago. With its gentle movements, deep breathing and long stretches it is an ideal method of relaxation and energizing, the minds, body and soul. Mudras are the yoga of the fingers. Holistic healing is all about harnessing the life force around us. A complete healing with Mudras is well within reach with a lifestyle change that can balance the psyche and soma and bring about a centre in our lives.
However, the origin of Mudras is still shrouded in mystery. They are found throughout the world and have been in used in religion, dance, art, and even in Tantra. Mudras are extremely important in Hindu and Buddhist iconography. Their significance is both exoteric and esoteric. They are also a useful aid to identification of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and deities. There are different mudras, however, detailed descriptions of Mudras are found in Tantra Shastra, Upasana Shastra, Nritya Shastra, and several other ancient treaties. However, out of a many mudras there are some important ones.
Prana Mudra: Mudra for life energy. Bend the little and ring fingers touching the tip of the thumb.
Varun Mudra: Put the tips of the thumb and the little finger together.
Jalodhar Naashak Mudra: The little finger should touch the mount of the thumb and the latter should touch the little finger.
Akash Mudra: Touch the middle finger with the thumb.
Dharmachakra Mudra: Mudra of turning the wheel of the Dharma (teaching). Hands held level with the heart, the thumbs and forefingers of each hand form circles that touch one another. The left hand faces inwards, the right hand out.
Abhaya Mudra: Mudra of blessing or protection. Right hand, held at shoulder level, pointed upwards with the palm facing outwards.
Anjali Mudra: Mudra of greeting, gesture of respect and, of course, prayer. Palms together at the level of the heart, with fingertips pointed upwards.
Vitarka Mudra: Teaching Mudra. Held at chest level, the right hand faces outwards. The thumb and forefinger form a circle. Pointing downwards, the left hand faces outwards or lies palm up in the lap.
Varada Mudra: Mudra of giving, or generosity. Pointed downwards, the palm of the right hand faces out.
Gyan Mudra: Gently touch the thumb with the index finger.
Bhumisparsha Mudra: Earth-touching (also called `earth-witness`) Mudra. The left hand rests in the lap with the palm facing upwards. The right hand rests palm down on the right knee with fingers pointing towards the earth.
The meditation Mudra. The back of one hand (usually the right) rests on the upturned palm of the other, with the tips of the thumbs lightly touching. There are several variations on this.
Most of the people teaching the art of the Mudras, insist that any disease can be cured through Mudras. Mudras are able to treat asthma, arthritis, cardiac problems, kidney  disease, sexual problems and migraines, back complaints and even the dreaded and largely incurable blood cancer. There are two types of Mudras - body Mudras and hand postures. There are practitioners that are spread out in different parts of India. But the knowledge of Mudras is scanty and there is no common thread that runs through them. Like several other healing systems that originated in the folds of time, Mudras have not been subject to scientific scrutiny. There is no documentation either but verbal testimonies to its efficacy are rampant and that`s why the usefulness of Mudras is still alive.
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