Benefits of Chinmaya Mudra and How to Do it By Dr. Himani Bisht
By Dr. Himani Bisht +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Himani Bisht
Last updated: Jul 31, 2023Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Himani Bisht +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Himani Bisht
Last updated: Jul 31, 2023Table of Contents
The practice of yoga is believed to create a perfect balance of the body, mind, and nature. Western cultures are adopting yoga more frequently as a form of exercise. Yoga is made up of pranayama (breathing exercises), asana (postures) and mudra (gestures).
Mudras are gestures performed using the movement of hands, eyes and the body. They are said to guide the flow of energy through our body. Hasta mudras are hand gestures. In Ayurveda, it is believed that our body is made up of 5 elements, i.e. air, fire, space, earth and water. Our five fingers symbolize these five elements. The body is believed to be in a state of imbalance or illness if any of these elements are not balanced. And when we perform mudras, our fingers come in contact with each other creating or completing the balance in our body.1–3
Chinmaya mudra is one of the many types of hasta mudras. Let us discuss chinmaya mudra and all its benefits.
In few articles that I have read, I read that Chinmaya Mudra may stimulate the process of assimilation in the body. By joining the thumb and index finger in this mudra, it is believed to activate specific energy pathways that enhance digestion and improve the absorption and utilization of nutrients from food. This can contribute to better overall digestion and nourishment of the body.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Chinmaya is a Sanskrit word meaning supreme awareness, full of knowledge or pure wisdom. Hence, chinmaya mudra is also known as ‘the gesture of awareness’.
It is one of the most effective mudras for promoting physical and mental health. All five fingers (elements) are joined together in chinmaya mudra. It is a hand gesture involving the thumb and the index finger joined along with the remaining three fingers curled at the base of your palm.2,3
To get the optimal benefits of chinmaya mudra, it is necessary to do it properly. Wear comfortable clothes while performing mudras. The steps to perform chinmaya mudra are as follows:
Based on my experience, I have observed that practising Chinmaya Mudra may improve the flow of energy in the body. This mudra involves joining the thumb and index finger while keeping the other fingers extended. By connecting these specific points, it is believed to stimulate the flow of prana (life force energy) and enhance overall vitality and well-being.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Here are some interesting facts about chinmaya mudra:
Some potential benefits of chinmaya mudra are given below
Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by high amounts of sugar in the blood. A study was done by Reddy et al. in 2021 to evaluate the role of mudras in prameha (diabetes mellitus). The review concluded that the practice of chinmaya mudra, along with other yoga therapies, may potentially help in managing diabetes. However, further information and studies are required to check the efficacy of chinmaya mudra in the management of diabetes mellitus. It is necessary to consult a doctor if you have diabetes mellitus.5
Stress has become an unavoidable part of the modern-day lifestyle. Especially with the covid-19 pandemic, it has become more important to find ways to regulate and manage stress. Jasti et al. in 2020, conducted a study on stress management during covid-19. The study showed that there was a reduction in the stress levels of volunteers that performed chinmaya mudra along with other yoga practices. Although chinmaya mudra, with other yoga practices, may be a safe and efficient way to reduce and manage stress, more research is needed. Always consult a doctor if you are having trouble coping with chronic stress.6
Ingole et al. in 2014, carried out a study to find out the effect of chinmaya mudra along with other pranayama techniques, on pulmonary functions. A training programme was conducted where the respiratory rate of the volunteers was evaluated before and after the programme. Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. The results showed improvement in the respiratory rate of the volunteers. Chinmaya mudra and other pranayama practices may be beneficial in managing the respiratory rate, thus, improving lung functions. However, more evidence is required to prove these claims. Therefore, please see your doctor for better health outcomes.7
Chinmaya mudra may be potentially beneficial in managing blood pressure. In a study conducted by Ingole et al. in 2014, a pranayama training programme was held for two months. The blood pressure of the volunteers was monitored. At the end of the programme, there was a notable change in the blood pressure of the group. When performed regularly, chinmaya mudra, along with other pranayama practices, may have a significant impact on blood pressure management. More research, however, is required to demonstrate the impact of chinmaya mudra on blood pressure. Therefore, you must consult your doctor for abnormal blood pressure instead of self-medicating.7
Some potential benefits of chinmaya mudra are discussed below:
Yoga practice might be useful to stimulate the mind and body. That being said, it should not be used as an alternative to any medicine. One should not rely on yoga alone to treat any condition. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional who will be able to assess your condition properly. Moreover, it is important to practice and learn yoga under the supervision of a certified yoga teacher to avoid any injuries.
There weren’t any associated risks or contraindications that have been investigated or reported to date. However, the following points need to be noted before performing chinmaya mudra:
With the guidance of an experienced and certified yoga instructor, we can further analyse the risk factors and continue to practice exercise with precautions.
Chinmaya mudra is a type of hasta mudra practised for the potential betterment of physical and mental health. Chinmaya mudra helps guide the flow of energy in our body. It is a gesture of awareness. It may be beneficial for the management of lung disorders, stress and blood pressure and may also be used for increasing oxygen saturation in covid-19 patients. It is recommended to always perform chinmaya mudra under professional guidance.
Yes, chinmaya mudra may be beneficial in improving the pulmonary rate and, thus, potentially improving lung function.
It is recommended to perform chinmaya mudra in a sitting position away from noise and distractions.
No, there are no recorded benefits of chinmaya mudra in improving memory.
The position of the thumb and index finger is the same in both chinmaya mudra and chin mudra. However, the remaining three fingers are not curled in the case of chin mudra.
The Sanskrit term chinmaya means supreme awareness, full of knowledge or pure wisdom and mudra means gesture. Thus, chinmaya mudra is known as the gesture of awareness.
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