5 Effective Yoga Mudras For A Healthy Heart

Yoga is one of the most wholesome fitness routines and the best way to nourish your body and soul. Along with asanas, there are yoga mudras, which are known to help in healing various health conditions and aid in keeping the heart healthy.

1. Apana Vayu Mudra – The Mudra Of Heart:

The Apana Vayu Mudra helps in strengthening the heart and regularizing palpitations. Regular practice of this Mudra also eases gastric issues. Named as the ‘Mrita Sanjeevani Mudra’, it is known to provide immediate relief to a person suffering from cardiac arrest.

How to Do:

1. Sit in Padmasana [Lotus Pose].
2. Stretch your hands outward and allow them to rest on the thighs.
3. Let the palms face the ceiling.
4. Now, fold your middle and ring fingers towards the palm such that they touch the tip of your thumb.
5. Fold the index finger inward allowing it to touch the base of your thumb.
6. The small finger should be stretched outward.
7. Keep your eyes closed and hold the Mudra.

Practice this Mudra for 15min each day, you can divide this into 2 sessions, ideally morning and early evening.

2. Prana Mudra – The Mudra Of Life:

As the name suggests, this yoga Mudra is the basic life force. It helps in clearing the clogged arteries and lowering the risk associated with cardiovascular conditions. Practicing this Mudra daily improves overall immunity levels.

How to Do:

1. Sit in Padmasana [Lotus Pose].
2. Stretch your hands outward and allow them to rest on the thighs.
3. Let the palms face the ceiling.
4. Bend your little finger and ring finger towards the palm and allow the tips to come into contact with the tip of your thumb.
5. Keep the middle finger and index finger stretched outward.
6. Keep your eyes closed and hold the Mudra as long as you want to.

3. Surya Mudra – The Mudra Of Sun:

The power and beauty of this Mudra, helps activate the solar plexus in you and fill you with energy. It has a positive impact on the functioning of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is known to result in obesity, which in turn comes in the way of a healthy functioning heart. Practicing this Mudra can help in regulating the function of the thyroid gland. It also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels, shielding your heart from high cholesterol triggered heart issues.

How to Do:

1. Sit in Padmasana [Lotus Pose].
2. Stretch your hands outward and allow them to rest on the thighs.
3. Let the palms face the ceiling.
4. Bend your ring finger inward, the tip resting close to the base of your thumb.
5. Press the ring finger with your thumb.
6. The little finger, middle finger, and index finger should be stretched outward.
7. Keep your eyes closed and hold the Mudra as long as you want to.

Practice this mudra twice a day for a duration of 5 to 15 minutes.

4. Linga Mudra:

Lingam in Sanskrit denotes phallus – the male reproductive organ. This mudra is helpful for those with diabetes. Obesity and diabetes are serious triggers that can damage your heart. Practicing this can help in keeping diabetes under control, keeping your cardiac health in top condition.

How to Do:

1. Sit in Padmasana [Lotus Pose].
2. Stretch your hands in front of your body.
3. Clasp your hands. Intertwine your fingers.
4. Make sure that your thumb of the left hand points toward the ceiling.
5. Using the thumb and index finger of your right hand encircle the left thumb.
6. Inhale and exhale normally.
7. Practice for 20 minutes.

Practicing this Mudra on an empty stomach for at least 20 minutes is ideal for good results. PS: if you’re suffering from acidity issues, please refrain from this Mudra.

5. Ganesha Mudra:

Named after the namesake, the Hindu elephant god, Lord Ganesha. This Mudra is ideal for people who have high levels of cholesterol as well as for those with a weak heart. It opens up your bronchial tubes, paving way for an improved circulation of blood. It opens up the heart chakra and strengthens your heart. A fabulous way to clear up the distress filled in the heart chakra.

How to Do:

1. Sit in Padmasana [Lotus Pose].
2. Stretch your hands outward and allow them to rest on the thighs.
3. Lift both your arms and keep them at chest level close to the heart.
4. The palm of the left hand should face outward, while the palm of the right hand should face the left palm.
5. Clasp the fingers of left hand with right hand fingers.
6. Stretching the palms in opposite ways, take a deep exhalation.
7. Take a slow, deep inhalation and release the stretch.
8. Do this six times.
9. Change the position of the hands [The palm of the right hand should face outward, while the palm of the left hand should face the right palm.
10. 10. Repeat this six times.

Like with everything, a healthy heart requires a healthy diet and an active lifestyle with some form of cardio exercise; all of these factors go hand-in-hand to have a positive impact on your heart.