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The mudra way to health
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Dance and other art forms made extensive use of mudras or hand gestures to communicate. This is now being put to therapeutic uses as well. PRATIMA ASHER meets Mr. Nitin Lodaya, who is on a mission to propagate this unique science.
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NITIN LODAYA of Coimbatore has taken it upon himself to propagate an unusual science, which is as old as the `rishis' of this country and is now being increasingly researched and recognised. This is the science of mudras or hand gestures.
We are already familiar with the communicative angle of these mudras in dance and other art forms but Mr. Lodaya introduces us to their therapeutic uses as well. He has conducted familiarisation courses on the subject in Chennai, Tiruchi and Kozhikode and was in Kochi recently to give a lec-dem on what he termed `Mudra Vigyan'.
He classifies this science with such popular therapies such as Acupressure, Naturopathy, Pranic healing and Reiki. "We keep the body beautiful from outside and we must keep it equally beautiful from inside," he states. He cites the examples of animals and how they live. They eat, rest, procreate and pass away and yet no animal tampers with the basic rules of its existence the way man does.
Animals lead a balanced life, while we rarely bother about natural balance in our lives. The science of mudras is based on the retention and maintenance of the natural balance in our lives. What follows is naturally a healthy existence. Mr. Lodaya defines health as a feeling of `wellness' though he admits that it is easier to describe what lack of health is.
Mudras are easy to practise and are free from negative elements. The five fingers of the hand correspond to the five natural elements. The thumb is associated with `Agni' or fire, the index finger with `Vayu' or air, the middle finger with `Akash' or ether or space, the ring finger with `Prithvi' or earth and the little finger with `Jal' or water.
Several ancient health systems are based on the concept of the balance of the five elements as the human body is a microcosm of the universe and mudra science too emphasises that health is maintained when all the elements are in balance in the body. The tips of the fingers also possess energy corresponding to these elements and by connecting various fingers to each other in different gestures, the balance of elements in the body can be corrected. It is this imbalance that leads to a lack of health.
Mudras can be practised both by the healthy and the non-healthy. In the former case they are preventive measures, which preserve your health. "With certain exceptions, mudras can be practised at any time. They should be practised with both the hands with the palms facing the sky. The left hand mudras are beneficial for the right side of the body and vice versa. The fingers should be straight as far as possible. This might be difficult in the initial stages," says Mr. Lodaya, but with practice it can be achieved. For therapy, once your condition is properly analysed, you may choose the relevant mudra to improve your condition. This can be done with a brief orientation.
Mudra therapy is also a complementary therapy and can be used side by side with any regular therapy.
Mr. Lodaya informs that the mudra therapy is possibly 5,000 years old, whereas modern medical systems are merely 250 years old, but the former does not have any side effects. He himself learnt the therapy from a doctor-friend in Mumbai and there are several books that aim at giving us a glimpse of the mode of practice and the efficacy of the mudras. Much knowledge of these mudras is embedded in ancient texts but this knowledge is often entwined with religion.
Mr.Lodaya believes that there are some 70 to 80 mudras. Eight of them are basic mudras, some are variations and there are several combination mudras. These can be practised in five-minute sessions over the day. Except for specific mudras, which are good for digestive disorders, they should not be practised before half an hour after meals. They can be performed sitting in any position but sitting in Padmasana or Sukhasana is recommended.
Mr.Lodaya illustrated his talk with a demonstration and detailing of various well-known mudras such as the Pran mudra, the Vayu mudra, the Shunya mudra, the Shankh mudra, the Prithvi mudra, the Varun mudra and others. Each of these can be practised to relive conditions ranging from a simple cold to chronic disorders. "The healing process may not be instantaneous, but you have to believe," he says. Without belief the practising of the mudras may not be equally effective.
Common mudras such as the Pran mudra for instance, are good for building up health and vitality and for good eyesight etc. The Apanavayu mudra strengthens the heart and the digestive system. The Sankh mudra builds up your aura. The Pustak mudra enables you to read better. There are mudras to regulate every part of your mind and body, to enhance your thought processes and change your outlook of life.
It is no wonder that mudras were so extensively used by our ancient seers to communicate, to heal and to maintain mental and physical wellness. They were not merely showpiece stances.
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