• In :
• March 2021 LP

Nidra Mudra
Abhay Kumar Shah helps us get a good night’s sleep with the aid of some mudras

Everyone has faced insomnia in their lives. It not only spoils our night but the next day also. In the morning, we feel a lack of energy, get irritated easily, and our appetite is disturbed, which eventually results in constipation. It gives rise to acidity and becomes a cause for discomfort. Consequently, our negativity increases and our creativity suffers. It affects our memory too in the long term. Hence, the amount and quality of our sleep are of importance.

Awareness is related to the Aakash Tattva i.e., the Space Element. Aakash keeps us alert. If we stretch ourselves more than our capacity, Aakash occupies more than its specific percentage.

If we go to the root of insomnia, we can see certain common elements. Stress, overthinking, anxiety, and depression are the most likely reasons behind insomnia. These are all mind-related problems, and so, the reaction of the mind to the situation can be altered. A healthy mind reacts positively. 

For taking control of our emotions and thoughts, and to keep alertness at a normal level, here are some mudras which thousands of people have benefitted from. Those who were on sleeping pills for years together stopped taking them. 

JNANA MUDRA 
Formation: Connect the tip of the index finger to the tip of the thumb. 

Keep the remaining three fingers comfortably straight. Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs. Sit straight in a comfortable position. One can sit on the floor or a chair or sofa. 

Practise it early morning every day, preferably with meditation, for 48 minutes, followed by Prana Mudra for 16 minutes. 

PRANA MUDRA
Formation: Touch the tips of the ring and little fingers to the tip of the thumb. Keep the remaining two fingers comfortably straight. Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs. Sit down comfortably on the floor or a chair or sofa.

Practice Prana Mudra for 16 minutes, immediately after the practice of Jnana Mudra for 48 minutes. The combination of these two mudras will reduce anxiety, overthinking, negativity, and ill thoughts, and will calm the mind. 

SHAKTI MUDRA 
Formation: Bend and touch the thumb to the palm. Bend the index and middle fingers, overlapping the thumb. Connect the tips of the ring and little fingers with the same fingers of the other hand. Also, touch the backs of the bent fingers of both the hands. Hold this gesture near your sternum, fingers pointing upwards, or at the lower abdomen, fingers pointing towards the direction of the face. 

Practise this in the evening for at least 16 minutes. Shakti Mudra can improve our sense of being grounded and of stability. It will induce good sleep too as it increases the energy required for sleep. 

SHOONYA VAYU MUDRA 
Formation: Touch the tips of the index finger and the middle finger to the root of the thumb. Put the thumb on the bent fingers and press a little. Keep the remaining two fingers comfortably straight. Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs.

For reducing alertness, practice this mudra before going to bed for 30 minutes. 

This set of mudras is very effective in resolving your sleep issues. So, sleep well till we meet again.

Abhay Kumar Shah is a mechanical engineer, who has learnt Mudra Shastra from experts and established his own method of using this science correctly, and in the modern context. He can be reached at: abhayshah.kd@gmail.com