Gyan Mudra - Vaayu Vardhak Mudra

The Hindu Portal

November 30, 2013

Gyan Mudra

This mudra is Popularly Known as Gyaan Mudra, this mudra increases the vaayu (Air) Element with in the body.

Method: This Mudra is formed by joining together the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb.

Effects : Vaayu-vardhak mudra increases the vaayu (air) element within the body. Thus reinforced, the air Empowers the mind, causing a positive effect on emotions and leading to enlightenment, empowers the nervous system (including the brain), facilitates movements of electrical impulses along nerves, empowers the pituitary gland and, thereby, the entire system of endocrine glands, empowers muscles, both voluntary and involuntary, empowers the vocal cords and the voice, empowers the heart, increasing its efficiency, renders the skin and the mucous membranes dry,renders the joints and the articular cartilage dry.The element Air is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. The increase of air in the body due to Vaayu-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor. Therefore, this mudra is an excellent mudra to overcome Vaata-deficiency. However, it should be practiced in moderation by people who already have a Vaata constitution (i.e., an excess of Vaata in their bodies).

Benefits of Vaayu-vardhak mudra:
> Dullness of mind lack of enthusiasm-initiative-creativity
> Recklessness loss of memory
> Drowsiness
> Lethargy
> Mental retardation

Disorders of the nervous system:
> Cerebral palsy
> Neuritis
> Neuropathies
> Alzheimer's disease
> Tabes dorsalis
> Multiple sclerosis
> Motor neurone disease
> Ataxias
> Dementias
> Syringomyelia
> Degeneration of the retina
> Optic atrophy

Endocrine (hormonal) disorders:
> hypopituitarism (causing dwarfism Simmond's disease Frohlick's syndrome)
> Hypothyroidism (causing cretinism myxoedema)
> Hypoparathyroidism
> Hypoadrenalism (causing Addison's disease)
> Diabetes
> Hypogonadism

Muscular disorders:
> Myopathies
> Myesthenia gravis
> Paresis
> Paralysis (viz paralytic squint ptosis facial palsy vocal paralysis respiratory paralysis monoplegia paraplegia hemiplegia quadriplegia etc.)
> Lost or feeble voice
> Bradycardia (slow heart beats)
> Weakness or gradual failure of the heart
> Formation of excessive mucous in respiratory and/or digestive tracts
> Effusion in joints.

Duration : 30 to 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts (i.e for 10 to 15 minutes, thrice a day).

Ideal time : Though Vaayu-vardhak mudra can be performed at any time of the day.

Precaution : People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti (constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all. Given below are some variations of Gyaan mudra, which, apart from yielding the benefits of Gyaan mudra, bestow some additional gains.

(a) Vairaagya mudra This mudra enables the practitioner to gradually develop (1) a sense of detachment from worldly matters and (2) a realization about the futility of material gains.