In todays world, we are living extremely stressful lives. Whether it be at work or at home, we face stress in different ways. Stress over a long period of time leads to many psychosomatic diseases which, if not controlled, can lead to chronic lifelong problems. In this seemingly difficult situation, ancient yogic science of the east gives us some good news. Most chronic illnesses can be controlled or healed by the practice of mudrās and a proper diet. Our bodies have the capacity to heal themselves. This capacity is applied in the practice of mudrās. It’s a beautiful science which, when understood, can do wonders. Mudrā means seal. In Sanskrit, the word also relates to mudita, which means “to feel a sense of happiness.” Many hundreds of mudrās deal with art, healing, and meditation. This book will deal with only the most essential healing mudrās and various ways we can apply them.
Nādis (or our nervous system)
Our body is a network of gross and subtle nerves. In the Sanskrit language these nerves are called nādis. The word nāda means flow, and Nādi is that which facilitates this flow. Our bodies and minds are continually ingesting, digesting, and eliminating waste from the body and minds. It’s a flow of traffic. Vāta (A combination of air and ether) carries blood, energy, and oxygen to different parts of the body, and it also eliminates in the form of urine, stool, and sweat. Simultaneously, thoughts and feelings are also carried to the different parts of the body from the mind by a combination of ether and air. Ether carries sound, and the air carries both gross and subtle elements.
Digestion and Excretion
In the body, digestion and excretion are equally important. A disturbance or block in either of these systems causes a problem or disease. Both assimilation and excretion depend on the proper flow of food and air in the nādis or the nerves. When the nerves are blocked or constricted by any means, the current is restricted or blocked, leading to disease. The practice of yoga (which includes the mudrās) keeps the nerves healthy (and open), aiding the proper flow of food, air and thoughts at both the physical and mental levels.
Hence daily practice of mudrās keeps us healthy at both physical and mental planes.