What is Gyan Mudra?
Gyan Mudra is one of the most practised “hand gestures” we use while many yogic practices. The only reason behind its dominant use is its capability to bound the mind in one place. It is a mystic position of the thumb and index finger depicting a gesture of supreme knowledge.
Gyan is a Sanskrit word that refers to ‘Knowledge’ or ‘Wisdom’ & Mudra means ‘Gesture’ or ‘Symbol’.
Thus, the symbolization of this mudra is to accept one’s knowledge and excites wisdom.
This mudra helps to enhance the focus and concentration of the mind, which leads a yogi to the deep meditative stage. So, It is also named Dhyan Mudra. Before learning the Gyan Mudra Benefits and steps to do it first we know the five fingers with their elements in our body.
Physically, there are five elements in our body. These are as follows-
Five Fingers for Five Elements in Gyan Mudra:
- Index Finger: Air- represents wisdom, expansion, and openness to change. It is associated with the planet Jupiter and the element Ether.
- Little Finger: Water- represents our power to relate and communicate with others, and to subconsciously communicate with Self. It is associated with the planet Mercury and the element of Water.
- Thumb: Fire – It represents the individual or ego.
- Ring Finger: Earth – represents our physical health, vitality, grace, and beauty. It is associated with the planets Sun and Venus as well as the element of Fire.
- Middle Finger: Aakash- represents the conversion of emotion to devotion and patience. It is associated with the planet Saturn and the element of Air.
Gyan mudra mainly works on increasing the Vayu (air) element inside the body. Increased air helps the brain to work more efficiently. Thus, Gyan mudra is also known as Vayu-vardhak mudra.
Other names of Gyan mudra are Dhyan Mudra, Vayu-Vardhak Mudra, and Chin Mudra.
Steps to do Gyan Mudra:
- Sit in a comfortable posture like Sukhasana, Padmasana , Swastikasana, Vajrasana.
- Hold your back, chest, and head in a straight position.
- Relax your body and place your hands on your knees or thighs in an upward position.
- Now fold the index finger towards the thumb & join the tip of your index finger with the tip of the thumb.
- Leave the remaining three fingers extended as much as possible.
- It should be done with both hands simultaneously.
- Relax and close your eyes.
- Concentrate on your breath.
- Do not decrease or increase the speed of breath from your side.
- Inhale and exhale deeply to seep air into the deepest tissues of your body to attain a sense of lightness in your consciousness.
- You can practice Gyan Mudra by standing in Tadasana Yoga (Mountain pose), otherwise sitting on a chair.
Duration: 30 to 45 minutes each day at a stretch otherwise in three parts (i.e. for 10 to 15 minutes, thrice a day). Gyan mudra can be performed at any time of the day.
Benefits of Gyan Mudra :
Regular practice of Gyan Mudra has a lot of spiritual, mental, and emotional benefits which are as follows-
- Gyan mudra when do regularly shoot up our confidence.
- There are pressure points of the brain and pituitary gland on the tips of the thumb and the index finger. When there is a slight pressure on touching two of them, then the mind, brain, and pituitary gland – all three are awakened.
- It increases the inner power and immunity of the body.
- It is the best Ayurvedic remedy for tension and depression.
- It activates the brain cells, develops wisdom, and removes negative thoughts.
- The Gyan Mudra stimulated the root chakra, which reduces tension and sadness and provides inner happiness.
- Regular practice of this can relieve all kinds of mental disorders and addictive habits.
- Practising this mudra is very helpful to avoid Alzheimer’s.
- It is also very beneficial in heart diseases.
Side Effects & Precautions of Gyan Mudra :
Gyan mudra mainly increases air elements in our body. Therefore, if you are facing gas problems in the stomach or difficulty in food digestion, this mudra might show some ill effects.
In Vata dosha, the air element is already present. This mudra increases the number of air elements in the body. Therefore, if you have Vata dosha, perform this mudra moderately
A speciality of Gyan Mudra Yoga
It is recommended that the fire element resides in the thumb and the air element in the index finger. According to astrology, our thumb is the symbol of Mars and the index finger is the symbol of Jupiter. When these two elements combine, there is an increase in the air element, due to which the effect of Jupiter increases. This way, Gyan mudra symbolizes the union of Self with the universe, the unification of one’s soul and the Supreme Soul.