Mudras
"Mudra" simply means hand and finger postures.
Like yogic body postures, it is also a discipline to rejuvenate the body by balancing the five elements (fire, water, air, ether, earth) to their optimal levels. When the elements are balanced, the yoga (unison) of mind, body and soul can be achieved.
Mudras are used in conjunction with Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) to stimulate different parts of the body and to affect the flow of prana.
There are innumerable mudras and each has a specific effect. The following are very effective and simple hand mudras to maintain health and wellness.
“The very nature of mudras is repose, silence, and peace. Most health disorders, whether on the physical or mental-emotional level, develop from a lack of inner and outer repose.”
“Physical ailments are a result of the disturbance in the equilibrium of the five elemental forces of the body. Appropriate mudras can help restore proper balance.”
“Without intention, all the postures, breathing practices, meditation, and the like can become little more than ineffectual gestures. When animated by intention, however, the simplest movement, the briefest meditation, and the contents of one breath cycle are made potent.”