KNOW THE YOGA MUDRAS AND DOSHAS

In order to better understand how mudras affect your body and mind, it is helpful

to have a basic knowledge of the three Ayurvedic constitutions, or types of

physical and mental make-up, known as the doshas. These are made up of three

energetic types: vata, pitta and kapha, and Ayurveda places great emphasis on

keeping them in balance.

Many factors, both internal and external, disturb the balance of one or more

of the doshas, including emotional and physical stress, not eating for your body

type, the seasons and the weather, physical trauma, and problems with work,

family and relationships. Mudras gently but powerfully counteract negative

influences that cause these energies to fall out of balance and play an important

part in maintaining a healthy balance of the three doshas within your body, mind

and consciousness.

Vata: air and ether elements; cold and dry; this is the energy of movement

Pitta: fire element; hot, dry qualities; this is the energy of digestion, assimilation

and metabolism

Kapha: earth and water elements; cold, wet qualities; this is the energy forming

the body’s structure

THE THREE ENERGIES IN BALANCE

For optimal physical and emotional health, you need a balance within your body of the three energies – vata

(air and ether), pitta (fire) and kapha (earth and water)

VATA

This is the energy of movement; it is made up of air (matter in gaseous form)

and ether (space). It is constantly moving, expansive in nature, easily changeable, irregular and cold. When vata is excessive, your body tends to suffer

from dryness, roughness, stiffness, joint pain, and brittle bones and teeth. You

may have trouble focusing or committing to anything. Joint problems and

symptoms relating to the nervous system are said to indicate an imbalance of

vata

Mudras can offer relief from symptoms in body or mind, particularly those

involving the index and middle fingers. If you have a vata imbalance it’s more

effective to practise mudras while sitting or standing still rather than while

engaged in other activities

PITTA

The energy of digestion, assimilation and metabolism is known as pitta. It is

mainly composed of the fire element and is hot and dry. Pitta generates heat in

your body and regulates your temperature. When pitta is excessive, you may tend to get angry, suffer from high blood pressure, or burning sensations, sweat too much and crave spicy food. You may develop eczema, irritability, blotchy red skin, rashes and hives.

Pitta and the fire element relate to your thumb. Most mudras involve the

thumbs, so other factors often become important when you use mudras to treat

pitta imbalances, such as the way your thumb presses the other fingers or palm.

KAPHA

The basic energy that forms your body’s structure, kapha provides the

foundation for the other doshas. Kapha is made up of the water and earth

elements and is cold and moist and white in nature. It is stable and tends to move

very little.

When kapha is excessive, you may feel stuck in life, crave too many

sweets, feel heavy, and suffer from swelling and congestion. Accompanying

physical symptoms may include depression, lethargy, passivity, weight gain, asthma, water retention and congestion

Mudras can be very helpful for kapha imbalances, particularly those

involving the ring and little fingers. Practise them alongside some gentle

movement, such as yoga postures or walking