VAAY-VARDHAK OR GYAN/DNYAAN MUDRA

Popularly known as Gyaan mudra this mudra increases the vaayu(air) element within the body.

Mehtod: This mudra is formed by joining together, the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb

Effects: Vaayu-vardhak mudra increase the vaayu (air) element with in the body. thus reinforced the air

empowers the mind , causing a positive effect on emotions and leading to enlightenment,

empowers the nervous system(including the brain)

facilitates movements of electrical impluses alnog nerves,

empowers the pituitary gland and thereby, the entire system of endocrine glands,

empowers muscles, both voluntary and involuntary,

empowers the vocal cords and the voice,

empowers the heart, increasing its efficiencey,

renders the skin and mucous membranes dry,

renders the joins and articular cartilage dry.

The elemnet Air is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. The increase of air in the body due to Vaayu-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor. therefore, this mudra is an excellent mudra to overcome vaata-deficiency. How ever, it should be practised in moderation by people who already have a Vaata constitution(i.e, and excess of vaata in their bodies).

Benifits :

Vaay-vardhak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

Dullness of mind, lack of enthusiasm-inititaive creativity, recklessness, loss of memory,

Drosiness, lethargy, mental retardation,

Disorders of the nervous system like cerebral palsy, neuritis, neuropathies, Alzheimer's disease, Tabes dorsalis, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Ataxias, Dementias, Syringomyelia, etc,

Degeneration of the retina, optic atropy,

endrocine (hormonal) disorders like hypopituitarism (causing dwarfism, Simmond's disease. Frohlick's syndrome), Hypothyroidism(causing cretinism, Myxoedema), Hypoparathyroidism, Hypoadrenalism(causing Addison's disease), diabetes, hypogonadism, etc.

Muscular disorders like myopathies, myesthenia gravis, paresis, paralysis(viz paralytic squint, ptosis, facail palsy, vocal paralysis, respiratory paralysis, monoplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, quadriplegia, etc.)

Lost or feeble voice,

Bradycardia(Slow heart beats), weakness or gradual failure of the heart,

formation of excessive mucous in repiratory and or digestive tracts,

effusion in joints.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e for 15 minutes, thrice a day)

Ideal time: Though Vaayu-vardhak or gyaan mudra can be performed at any time of the day, practising it at any time between 2.00 to 6.00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution : People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti (constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.