Introduction of Apana Mudra
Apana mudra is a basic hasta mudra or yoga hand gesture that promotes the downward movement of energy in the body. It’s linked with Apana Vayu, one of the five prana vayus according to yogic tradition.Because apana vayu is the energy governing the removal of waste in the physical body, apana mudra is good for detoxification of the body by eliminating toxins and waste. For women, it helps regulate the menstrual cycle. This is why it is also called the “Mudra for Purification”.
Contents
Steps of Apana Mudra
- Sit in any comfortable position / posture.
- Keep your spine straight.
- You can also take any meditation pose like Sukhasana, l.e. easy pose, Padmasana i.e. lotus pose, Siddhasana i.e. accomplished pose, Swastikasana i.e. the auspicious pose or Vajrasana i.e. diamond pose.
- In the sitting position, place your hands on your thighs or knees. Let your palms face upwards.
- Close your eyes and take few deep relaxed breaths. Focus on your breathing and be aware of the process. You can also keep your eyes open. But keeping your eyes closed will help you to focus on the gesture completely.
- Bring your ring and middle finger together. Bend them over to touch your thumb. Keep the little and index fingers pointed straight. This needs to be done simultaneously in both hands.
- Remain in the same position for 15-30 minutes or as per your convenience. Visualize the energy flow in your body by diverting your consciousness towards it.
- Release Slowly open your eyes.
- Separate your fingers from their mutual contact.
- Bring back your hands on to your thighs or knee, the starting position.
- Relax and breathe easily.
Benefits of Apana Mudra
- Helps in maintenance of small and large
- intestinal health
- Relieves constipation
- Relieves urinary retention and problems related to voiding of urine Relieves indigestion and acidity
- Regulates menstrual cycles in women
- Good remedy for PME
- Strengthens pelvic organs
- Enables easy childbirth
- Relieves back pain
- Good for those suffering from breathing disorders
- Good for those suffering from heart
- ailments, relieves chest pain
- It helps in removing our physical wastes
- It helps in releasing emotions too
- Strengthens the immune system Detoxifies the body
- Balances space and earth elements in the body and regulates their functions, supports structures and tissues made of these elements
- Helps you feel grounded and process difficult emotions
- It generates energy in the liver and gallbladder, supports balance and harmony
- It increases the vata and kapha in the body, decreases pitta. Thus it enables balance of all three doshas in the body. People with vata and kapha constitution should practice this mudra in moderation.
- Controls diabetes when it is practiced for 50 minutes followed by prana mudra for 15 minutes, one should also perform pranayama for 30 minutes
- Good remedy for migraine in combination with Jnana mudra (each should be done for half hour)
- Enriches the skin, makes it glow, good for skin health
- Soothes toothache
- Strengthens the thighs and hips
Precautions to be taken for Apāna mudra
- Pregnant women should not practice apana mudra for the first 8 months as the strong downward pull can lead to mishappenings. However, during the 9th month, you can practice this mudra to ease the process of childbirth.If you suffer from diarrhea, cholera, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome or any digestion problem should practice this mudra with extreme caution. Consult a yoga teacher or your doctor.People having osteoarthritis or who have previously suffered from Chikungunya can have a problem with the movement of the fingers or hands. Such a person should consult a doctor before doing it regularly.Those with excess vata and kapha dosha should perform apana mudra in moderation.
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