In this post you will come to know about the Yoga Hast Mudras to boost metabolism and weight loss, and learn to honour the five subtle elements, and connect to the healing power of earth, water, fire, air, and ether in your yoga practice.
I will also talk briefly about the significance, meaning and science of yoga hand gestures.
Yoga is a science of living but most of us know yoga synonymous to body postures and breathing techniques!
But as we unfold we learn about the Koshas, the doshas, the Bandhas, the Kriyas to name a few. Mudras or gestures are a vital part of ancient yoga.
Hast Mudras And Our Lives
The greatest secrets in Yoga, Hast mudras can take your yoga practice and overall health to a new level! By arranging the geometry of your fingers and touching the fingertips in a certain way, you can very easily accomplish a Hast Mudra or Hand Gesture or… the Energy Seales.
You might have noticed the unique geometry of hands and fingers in Indian dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam, and many idols in temples and holy spaces. These Mudras also have their significance in meditation practices of Buddhist and Hindus.
In Yoga traditions, hand mudras are performed in conjunction with asanas and Pranayamas to enable streamlined flow of energy into the body for a profound spiritual awakening.
Hand gestures are related to different body parts and mind and…
Hand Mudras Help to Establish The Pranic Balance
Regular practice of these hand mudras can help to prevent many physical and psychological ailments such as depression, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases to name a few and can be proven methods to live an illness free life.
Science Of Hast Mudras
The hand and finger geometry is directly linked with our nervous system and stimulates specific pathways known as Nadis.
Mudras are said to increase energy and blood circulation to different parts of the brain, important nerve junctions and glands.
Ancient Yogis figured out the hand areas and associated reflexes related to the different areas of our body and brain. The areas of hands and fingers also affect our emotions and behaviour.
That said, by curling, folding, stretching, and touching the fingers… we can effectively communicate with our own body and mind.
Panchmahabhutas, Hast Mudras, And Our Body Relations
With the emergence of the universe, the five great elements- PANCHAMAHABHUTAS are also said to have originated.
They are the building blocks of the universe as well as our bodies. Everything is made up of the different combinations of these five elements.
These elements are associated with the senses and also with particular body parts and functions. Each has an energy corresponding to the each Body Chakras.
According to the Ayurveda, each of us is born with a unique combination of the five elements with some variations in the dominance of each.
As the outside world’s environment varies, the elements within our bodies also alter.
That is why it becomes crucial to recognise your body doshas and what might be shifting you out of balance.
Our five fingers and the five elements
Each finger in our hands represents one element:
Thumbs- the Fire element
Index fingers- the Air element
Middle fingers- Space or ether
Ring fingers- Earth element
Little finger- Water element
Metabolism: Converting food into energy
What you eat and drink is converted to energy and consumed by the body in the process of metabolism.
Calories in food are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function properly.
Your body needs energy for all its involuntary functions like breathing, digestion, heart beating, eye reflexes, and others. The number of calories the body uses to accomplish these basic body functions are known as the basal metabolic rate.
These factors determine your individual basal metabolism, including:
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Body size and composition.
Larger people or people with more muscle burn more calories, even at rest.
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Your sex.
Men usually have less body fat and more muscle than women of the same age and weight, that makes men burn more calories than women!
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Your age.
As you get older, the muscle density tends to decrease and fat accounts for more of the body weight, slowing down calorie burning.
However, the energy needs for your body’s basic functions stay fairly consistent with few alterations.
According to Ayurveda, weight gain is considered to be a kapha dosha. Which can be corrected by balancing the body fire element because the fire element is connected with hunger and appetite.
Best Mudras To Boost Metabolism And Weight Loss
Two best mudras for weight loss are agni Mudra and apana mudra.
Agni Mudra
This is an effective yoga mudra for weight loss. It also helps to reduce excess body fat and lowers our laziness quotient.
How To Agni Mudra:
- Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position or in lotus mudra.
- Bend your ring finger so that you can touch the base of the thumb.
- Press it with the thumb on the second phalanx keeping the other fingers straight.
- Place both your wrists on your knees.
- This mudra should be performed with both hands and palms facing in an upward direction.
Benefits Of Agni Mudra
- This mudra symbolises our inner fire which works great in preventing and curing many digestive disorders.
- Agni Mudra is also an excellent solution for strengthening weak eyesight and improving your vision.
- It helps in controlling the shivering in your hands, legs and feet because of the Perkinson by increasing the body temperature.
Apna Mudra
In the modern life style, our body becomes full of toxins which may have a negative effect on the body. Apana Mudra works great in eliminating these waste materials, including any negativity.
The main purpose of this gesture is to work on the Apana Vayu, the downward flowing energy.
To live healthy, this is very important to remove stools, gases, urine, sweat or even blood that’s unwanted by the body.
How To Apana Mudra
- The first step is the same as the Agni Mudra.
- Join tips of the thumb first with the tips of the middle and ring fingers keeping the other fingers straight.
This yoga mudra should also be accomplished with both hands.
Apana Mudra Benefits:
- Improves digestion and prevents bloating
- Treats reproduction-related problems
- Lowers the discomfort of menstrual cramps
- Reduces the risk of heart problems
- Has a detoxifying effect on the body
- According to research, Apana Mudra has a therapeutic role in treating type-2 diabetes by reducing the stress levels in the body.
Wrapping Up- Yoga Hasta Mudras To Boost Metabolism
Mudras are the actions of your hands and can be performed anywhere. But being a part of the yogic culture, they should be performed holistically! So morning is the best time to perform these mudras, preferably with an empty stomach.
“Hold each mudra for 45 minutes and accompany it with deep breathing to experience the complete benefits from your practice”.
I hope you liked these yoga mudras to boost metabolism and weight loss. What is your experience? Please write in your comments:-)
THANKS FOR BEING WITH ME ON YOUR MAT, NAMASTE 🙏❤️ YOGIS 🧘
2 Comments
thanks for info
Welcome Liana🥰