Pushan Mudra is a revered hand gesture in yoga, recognized for its benefits in improving digestion and balancing the body’s internal processes. Named after the Sanskrit term “Pushan,” meaning “one who nourishes,” this mudra is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun), symbolizing the Sun’s crucial role in providing energy and nourishment to all living beings.
Unlike many other mudras that use similar hand positions, Pushan Mudra involves unique configurations for each hand. These distinct hand positions work together to support digestive health and balance the body’s internal processes.
This gesture is valued for its ability to harmonize bodily functions and enhance both absorption and elimination, making it a key practice for better digestion and overall well-being.
Meaning
In Sanskrit, “Pushan” translates to “nourisher,” underscoring the mudra’s connection to Lord Surya (the Sun) and highlighting the Sun’s essential role in providing energy and nourishment to all living beings. Pushan Mudra embodies the dual processes of receiving and elimination.
The right hand, forming the Vyan Mudra, represents the acceptance or reception of nutrients, while the left hand, forming the Apana Mudra, signifies the elimination of waste. This balance between intake and elimination is vital for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring that the body efficiently processes and utilizes the nourishment from food.
Symbolic Representation
Pushan Mudra embodies a balance between intake and elimination through distinct hand positions:
- Right Hand (Vyan Mudra): The right hand forms Vyan Mudra by touching the tips of the index and middle fingers to the thumb, while extending the ring and little fingers. This gesture symbolizes acceptance or reception, representing the body’s ability to take in and assimilate nutrients from food.
- Left Hand (Apana Mudra): The left hand forms Apana Mudra by touching the tips of the middle and ring fingers to the thumb, while extending the index and little fingers. This gesture represents the elimination process, highlighting the body’s capacity to expel waste and toxins.
By harmonizing these two gestures, Pushan Mudra balances the processes of intake and elimination, contributing to better digestion and overall health. Practicing this mudra after meals, especially in Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose), enhances its digestive benefits.
It not only improves digestion but also generates heat in the body and removes excess water, which helps alleviate issues such as reflux and belching.
Additionally, this specific variant of Pushan Mudra, by combining the right hand (acceptance) and left hand (elimination) positions, activates the Manipura chakra, further assisting in the treatment of reflux and belching issues
How to Do Pushan Mudra(Steps)
- Sit in Padmasana, Virasana, or Sukhasana with closed eyes.
- Place your hands on your knees with the palms facing upward.
- Take a few deep breaths, staying mindful.
- For the right hand (Vyan Mudra): Curl the index and middle fingers to touch their tips to the thumb, and extend the ring and little fingers outward.
- For the left hand (Apana Mudra): Curl the middle and ring fingers to touch their tips to the thumb, and extend the index and little fingers outward.
- Maintain this hand position and focus on the navel chakra.
Time & Duration
- Best Time: It can be beneficial to practice Pushan Mudra after meals, especially when seated in Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose), to enhance digestion.
- Duration Per Session: Practice Pushan Mudra for 10-15 minutes at a time, aiming for at least 4 sessions per day to achieve optimal benefits.
- Meditation Integration: Incorporate the mudra into your meditation sessions for a more profound impact on your digestive system and overall well-being.
Precautions
- Start gradually to avoid overstressing your fingers.
- Ensure not to overstrain your hands and fingers during practice.
- Listen to your body and stop if you experience discomfort or pain.
- Consult a healthcare provider if you have pre-existing health conditions before starting the practice.
Side Effects
There are no significant side effects associated with Pushan Mudra. However, rarely, individuals may experience a brief adjustment period in their digestive system as it adapts to the changes stimulated by the mudra.
Additional Tips
- Practice this mudra during meditative sessions
- Focus on your breathing patterns while holding the mudra.
- Keep your eyes closed, imagine the colour orange, and concentrate on the sacral chakra
- Finally, you can also chant the Bija mantra, “vam” (vahm).
Pushan Mudra Variant
For those who experience weakness, there is a variant of Pushan Mudra that can be particularly beneficial. In this variant, the right hand forms Prana Mudra, while the left hand remains in Apana Mudra.
In this variant:
- The left hand retains the Apana Mudra position, where the middle and ring fingers touch the thumb, and the index and little fingers remain extended.
- The right hand forms Prana Mudra by folding the ring and pinkie fingers to touch the thumb, with the index and middle fingers extended outward.
Prana Mudra, which addresses Prana Vayu related to breathing, supports effective breathing and has a notable impact on the nervous system. This variant of Pushan Mudra aids in enhancing respiratory function and overall vitality.
Benefits of Pushan Mudra
- Practising Pushan Mudra daily for a few minutes significantly improves digestion.
- It aids in maintaining the body’s metabolism.
- It promotes relaxation and helps the body unwind.
- The mudra facilitates the elimination of energetic blockages and toxins.
- It stimulates the solar plexus (Manipura chakra) and sacral (Swadhisthana chakra) chakras.
- It enhances the function of the liver, stomach, pancreas, and gall bladder.
- When combined with its variant, it activates the root chakra around the pelvic region, boosting brain function by increasing neural activity.
- It energises the body and elevates mood.
- It improves memory and concentration.
- Practised with conscious breathing, it enhances lung capacity, improving respiratory function.
- It helps alleviate nausea, flatulence, constipation, gas, and acidity.
Conclusion
This simple asymmetrical hand gesture influences the three vital forces of the body: Prana, Samana, and Apana Vayu. It highlights the significance of Pushan Mudra.
By practising Pushan Mudra, you can lead a more active and healthy life. It serves as a remedy for digestive issues and offers numerous physical and mental benefits.
So, the next time you sit down to meditate or relax after a heavy meal, remember to incorporate Pushan Mudra into your routine.
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