Role of Mudra in Modern Life: Using Mudras for Stress Management in Modern Life

Abstract

Modern life is creating stress and we all react the same way. We experience the adverse effects of stress in our body, our pulse pressure is increased and we feel the tension in our muscles. The causes of stress in modern life emerge from the many obligations we have to handle every day to the modern way of negative thinking. Human beings are made up of three components—body, mind and soul corresponding these there are three needs—health, knowledge and inner peace. Health is physical need, knowledge is our psychological needs and inner peace is spiritual need when all three are present then there is harmony. All mudras are not practised as a routine. It is important for a practitioner to understand the purpose behind the practise of mudras. Proper guidance from a guru for the specific purpose either of yoga meditation or yoga asana is imperative. The practice should progress slowly and steadily.Some mudras can be practised before or after other yoga asanas or Pranayama. It appears that mudras were practised by ancient yogis to hear the internal sounds and to experience the most important energy of life force, the Kundalini. Mudras are not as simple as they appear. No theory can explain their intricacies. The mudras specified here may sound different as there is no definitive method followed by all schools, and can be practised by Hatha Yoga practitioners. It is important to teach these mudras as a part of Kundalini.Modern life is creating stress and we all react the same way. We experience the adverse effects of stress in our body, our pulse pressure is increased and we feel the tension in our muscles. The causes of stress in modern life emerge from the many obligations we have to handle every day to the modern way of negative thinking.Human beings are made up of three components—body, mind and soul corresponding these there are three needs—health, knowledge and inner peace. Health is physical need, knowledge is our psychological needs and inner peace is spiritual need when all three are present then there is harmony.Yoga gives us relief from countless ailments at the physical level. The practice of the postures (Asans) strengthens the body and creates a feeling of wellbeing. From the psychological view point, yoga sharpens the intellect and aid in concentration; it steadies the emotions and encourages a caring for others.The practice of breathing techniques (pranayama) calms the mind. In the realm of the spiritual yoga brings awareness and the ability to be still. Through meditation inner peace is experienced. Thus, yoga is a practical philosophy involving every aspect of a person’s being. It teaches the evolution of the individual by the development of self-discipline and self-awareness. Anyone irrespective of age, health circumstances of life and religion can practise yoga. Yoga helps to discipline our sense of power with the power of our own.