MUDRAS
Relief from Thalassaemia
Abhay Kumar Shah suggests some mudras that can have a beneficial effect on the quantity and constitution of the blood in thalassaemia patients
Inhaled oxygen is carried throughout the body by an oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells—haemoglobin—providing energy to our organs. Without this oxygen circulation, we would feel fatigued, pale, unenthusiastic, and be severely anaemic. If a person genetically has less haemoglobin than normal, the disease is called thalassaemia.
Thalassaemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that make haemoglobin. These mutations are passed from parents to children. Haemoglobin molecules are made of alpha and beta chains that can be affected by mutations. In thalassaemia, the production of either the alpha or beta chains is reduced, resulting in either alpha-thalassaemia or beta-thalassaemia. The severity of thalassaemia one has depends on the number of gene mutations inherited from one’s parents. The more mutated the genes, the more severe the thalassaemia.
Four genes are involved in making the alpha haemoglobin chain. You get two from each of your parents. If you inherit one mutated gene, you’ll have no signs or symptoms of thalassaemia, but you’ll be a carrier of the disease and can pass it on to your children. If you inherit two, your thalassaemia signs and symptoms will be mild. This condition might be called the alpha-thalassaemia trait. With three mutated genes, your signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe.
Blood transfusion is a dire need for this disease. Although the main requirement is only oxygen-carrying haemoglobin, other elements like iron are also delivered through this transfusion. This is a drawback of the process, as an excess of iron causes some other grave issues.
Symptoms of thalassaemia generally include fatigue, weakness, pale and yellowish skin, slow growth, and dark urine.
With the help of mudras, Haemoglobin molecules are made of chains called alpha and beta chains that can be affected by mutations. In thalassaemia, the production of either the alpha or beta chains are reduced, resulting in either alpha-thalassaemia or beta-thalassaemia.
I have treated some patients with thalassaemia minor, and they have benefited. One can try the following combination with thalassaemia major patients too.
Jal Surabhi Mudra
This mudra is a boon for correcting the content of the blood. The image given is of Surabhi Mudra as it is difficult to shoot the picture of Jal Surabhi Mudra. To form the Jal Surabhi Mudra the tip of the thumbs have to be touched to the root of the little finger of the same hand. Please be mindful of this fact while taking the help of the picture to practice Jal Surabhi Mudra.
Method
First form Surabhi Mudra: Touch one ring finger to the other hand’s little finger and vice versa. Touch your middle finger to the other hand’s index finger and vice versa. Keep both the thumbs apart.
Now, to turn this Surabhi Mudra into Jal Surabhi Mudra, touch each thumb to the root of the little finger of the same hand.
Practise this mudra for 10 minutes, at least three times a day.
Jal Vardhak Mudra
This mudra increases the quantity of the blood as well as its constitution.
Method
Touch the tip of your thumb to the root of the little finger. Keep all the four fingers comfortably straight and sides attached to each other. Do it with both hands, and place the back of your palms on your thighs or knees.
Practise Jal Vardhak Mudra for 30 minutes, at least three times a day.
Prana Mudra
This mudra facilitates the oxygen-carrying process in the blood.
Method
Touch the tips of the little and ring fingers to the tip of the thumb. Keep the remaining two fingers comfortably straight. Do it with both hands, and place the back of your palms on your thighs or knees.
Practise Prana Mudra for at least 16 minutes, atleast three least three times a day.
Kindly give me your feedback after performing these harmless exercises. Also, please share them with other thalassaemia patients.