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.