Energy Mudra that Regulates Apana vayu: Apana Mudra

Benefits:

Facilitates better removal of waste products e.g. urine, sweat, solid waste, menses, stale air and other impurities

Eliminates urinary problems

Improves digestion

Can result in clearer skin

Can help you feel more grounded, patient, confident and more serene

It can help process difficult emotions

Creates an inner balance and harmony

Additional Benefits:

There can be additional benefits if done with certain postures eg Paschimottasana (seated forward bend), Pawanmuktasana (wind releasing pose), Vajrasana (thunderbolt) as follows:

Help with detoxification of the body, removing free radicals and toxic waste

Stimulation of other organs like eg stomach and intestines

Improvement in kidney, liver and gallbladder function

Improvement in issues related to the menstrual cycle

Practice:

Sit in a comfortable position, stand or lie down. It can also be done walking.

  1. Press the tips of your middle and ring fingers to the tips of your thumbs. (Pressing the tips of the fingers affects the functioning of certain organs).
  2. Extend the index finger and little finger either side and away.
  3. The middle finger represents ether, the ring finger earth and the thumb fire which ignites the qualities and energies in the other two fingers.

Practice Time:

Up to 45 minutes or 3×15 minutes.

To feel the benefit one should hold it for at least 10 minutes a day.

Contraindications:

It should not be practised by pregnant women or people suffering with severe digestive problems eg irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. One should seek advice from a doctor and work with a yoga teacher.

June Skeggs, YHET Trustee

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