For the first part of this assignment I will list each of vayus, list a couple of conditions that could be focused on in that area and discuss a specific mudra, explain the reasons it was chosen and list any cautions. Everything is a hypothesis so there may be a mudra that could be used for various vayus as well mudras chosen for specific physical areas, chakras, koshas or Doshas. The source I am using is “Mudras - For Healing and Transformation” (2014).
Prana Vayu is associated with upward movement and governs intake, inspiration, propulsion, forward momentum. The area of the body generally focused is the chest and head therefore good for respiratory and cardiac issues. This would also be the fourth and sixth chakra areas. It would be good to generally instruct that is something doesn’t feel right to release the mudra even if there aren’t cautions. This could be useful to someone who is experiencing fatigue or dullness. This could be useful to someone who has been restricted from movement but has been told it is ok to move again; after surgery, pregnancy or some cases of arthritis.
Two Mudras I have chosen are:
Padma Mudra (p 146) the gesture of the lotus and for balancing the fourth chakra at the heart by unfolding the hearts essential qualities. This mudra is associated with the air element as well so it will offer momentum to lift and move. The hands can be placed at the heart and even raised up to the third eye point as well. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Urdhvam Merudanada Mudra (p 46) which is the gesture of the upper spine. This mudras quality is expansiveness and creating openness and optimism which may also enhance breath capacity. This is quite energizing so those with hypertension, heart disease or migraines should be aware of this before practicing this mudra.
Apana Vayu is associated with downward movement and governs elimination. The general area of the body that is focused on is pelvis or first chakra, but for elimination and digestion this could also be the third chakra as well. This could be useful with someone experiencing adrenal gland or over use of cortisol; experiencing chronic states of stress that is also manifesting in the gut with digestive issues. For example this could be useful to clients experiencing Coeliac disease. Often there aren’t contraindications but again it would be good to let anyone know if a mudra isn’t feeling safe or is uncomfortable to release it.
Two Mudras I have chosen are:
Vajra Mudra (p 144) the gesture of the diamond for balancing the third chakra which was why it was chosen; although the book suggests this mudra is for samana vayu, I believe it could also be used for apana as you think about starting the focus of digestion in this area and then traveling down. This mudra is known for enhancing digestion and clarifying life’s purpose. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Bhairava Mudra (p 250). is the gesture of Shiva’s Fearsome Aspect for experiencing unity. This is a classical mudra used in mediation and the hands are placed within each other and laying in the lap. The symbol of the hands represents supporting and offering optimal health; with a special focus on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems that is generally thought of in modern science as being within the gut. This Mudra can be used for all five of the vayus according to the book. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Samana Vayu is associated with inward movement and governs assimilation, discernment, inner absorption, consolidation. The general area of the body focused on is navel or second chakra. Conditions this could be useful for is someone experiencing physical low back or hip issues but could also be internal concerns such as bladder or incontinence issues.
Two Mudras I have chosen are:
Varuna Mudra (p 70) gesture of the God of Water for health of the urinary systems. This mudra is used to promote flow and healthy urinary track systems. Although the book suggests this mudra is for Apana, I believe it could also be used for Samana as well. Someone with overactive bladders may have contraindications with this mudra.
Svadhisthana Mudra (p 142) gesture of the Inner Dwelling Place. This mudra is used for balancing the second chakra and offers self-nourishment. It is known for the health benefits in the reproductive and urinary systems. The book suggests this mudra is for apana as well however I think it could also be chosen for samana as well. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Udana Vayu is associated with outward movement and governs growth, speech, expression, ascension. The general area of the body is throat or fifth chakra. Conditions that this could be useful for is for someone who may have physical neck, upper back or shoulder issues as well as thyroid health, allergies or emotional stress such as discussing pain or grief.
Two Mudras I have chosen are:
Shunya Mudra (p 222) the gesture of emptiness and this mudra is known for cultivating openness to transformation and the book suggests is good for Udana Vayu. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Bhramara Mudra (p 98) the gesture of the Bee and this mudra is known for helping allergies and the health of the immune system. It is known for helping in the nasal to throat areas as well as establishing personal boundaries. There are no cautions to be aware of.
Vyana Vayu is associated with the surrounding areas and governs circulation on all levels, expansiveness and pervasiveness. The general area of focus is all over the whole body. This could be used for conditions such as body pain that is expansive, disease such as cancer, or body dysmorphia; areas where it would be helpful to expand, pull back and observe a greater sense of being.
Two Mudras I have chosen are:
Purrna Jnanam Mudra (p 230) the gesture of complete wisdom and known for helping all of the vayus but for cultivating spiritual discernment between our true being and conditioned self. There are no cautions to be aware of according to the book but I am aware that spiritual words or phrases can trigger some, so being aware of this and allowing the individual to pick their own phrases is often better.
Vittam Mudra (p 52) the gesture of vital energy is also suggested to be helpful for pranamaya kosha as well as the Vyana and Udana Vayu. It is known for reestablishing free flow of subtle energy. There are no cautions to be aware of.
For the second part of this assignment I met with my partner and I lead her in a short mudra practice. I conducted a short intake to determine which mudra to use and decided on Adhara Mudra (p 256). I chose this mudra for its focus at the solar plexis area and that my cohort expressed a lot of stress this week and that she was glad that her week had finished at work. For me I visualized a kind of need to empty out and this mudra has a kind of prayer position to it that I knew she would resinate with. Her dosha character is Pita so she doesn’t need a lot of talking but instead allowing her to experience her body and get out of her head. I didn’t use the books suggested guided meditation however I had read it. I preferred to use a visualization that the hands would be receiving; like water was filling up in the hands like a well. Then suggesting that everything she needed from the well of water would stay with her. But then to imagine all she didn’t need could flow out like a drain or filter; anything no longer serving her could simply flow down and away. I used words like flow, downward and away along with references to feeling the hands, noticing temperatures and a focus on the Upana Vayu at first but then brought the focus in the closing to Vyana Vayu; a sense of feeling clear, ease and inner joy.
The client appeared calm and we did this assignment online but I could watch the body language and breath. When we finished she expressed that she really appreciated the times of silence and she said she often has a tough time with visualization but she did enjoy my ways of using different ways to hear, see or feel. She also heard me instruct a sound bowl meditation a couple weeks ago in the peer clinic and thought that would have been really good with this Mudra as well. I do like that suggestion and will consider it as well.
References
LePage, J. and L. (2014). Mudras For Healing and Transformation, Integrative, Yoga Therapy Publications