An Indian Art

Yoga Mudras and other Hand Therapies

We will never completely comprehend the magnificent correlations of our world. There is an order—on both a large and small scale—a reason for this universe of ours. Relationships and correspondences fill me with awe. For example, can you imagine what it means when scientists claim that the code of the entire body, including character traits, is inherent to the nucleus of each individual cell? Eastern sages and doctors say that the body, mind, and soul are inherent to every fingertip, every finger joint in each individual finger, and naturally also in the entire hand itself. So it is quite likely that we actually have great influence on every area of the body through the fingers and/or hands. The effect of mudras will be expressed on many different levels. The physical level is associated with material energy, but the many subtle levels are far from being completely researched. Each human being is an individual energy field or sphere. (To imagine this, think of various colored swaths of fog that mix together, permeate each other, yet still remain unified within their own color.) There are different opinions as to how many
levels of energy resonate within: some schools speak of five, others of seven, and others of twelve, but there are probably even more.

These energy fields are subject to various vibrations, some of which move more quickly than the others. The physical senses are oriented toward one very specific vibration, and this is why we can only perceive this vibration in particular. However, the ancient yogis could perceive other vibrations, such as those of the chakras (energy transformers) and the naadis, subtle streams of energy. (If you are not yet familiar with chakra theory, see Appendix D.) In Ayurveda, the healing art that originated in India, the fingers have long had the individual organs and elements associated with them. The Chinese researched the system of meridians, the subtle energy streams, creating various treatment approaches as a result. The Gypsies are said to have developed palmistry, and the hands and individual fingers are also associated with the planetary powers in astrology.

Let's look at the very concrete effect that the hands and fingers have on other areas of the body. There is a direct relationship between the hands and the neck since the nerve paths run through the vertebral foramina in the arms, hands, and fingers. The flexibility of the hands always effects the flexibility of the neck. Therefore, hand exercises relieve tensions in the neck. Moreover, spreading the ten fingers creates a reflex that causes the thoracic (chest) vertebrae to spread out. This increases the tidal volume of the lungs. The hands and/or fingers also have an additional direct relationship to the heart and lungs. With increasing age, many people can no longer properly stretch their fingers. This shows tension in the heart area, which often indicates the prelude to heart disease or a tendency toward osteoporosis. This slightly crooked hand position also impedes inhalation. The result is that the optimum amount of air is not drawn into the lungs, especially into the lung borders, which promotes contamination in those areas.