What Is Akasha Mudra? The Ayurvedic Hand Gesture for the Ether Element
The Meaning of Akasha - Space, Sukha, and Dukha
"Akasa" is the space element, and "Vardhaka" means to increase. This Mudra is commonly known as Akasa Mudra; it is also called Akasa Vardhaka Mudra in Ayurveda. It is an Asamyukta (single hand) Mudra.
Among the five elements, it is Akasha, which is all-pervasive and indestructible. This element brings us the awareness of everything and nothing at the same time. The root of the words "Sukha" and "Dukha" is also "Akasha." "Kha" means space, and "Sukha" here means a pleasant space, whereas "Dukha" means an unpleasant, undesirable space. With this Mudra we invite the pleasantness of space within us and around us.
Origins in Yoga Tattva Mudra Vijnana and Ayurvedic Tradition
Akasha Mudra belongs to the Yoga Tattva Mudra Vijnana and the broader Yogic tradition. It is a foundational gesture within Ayurvedic and yogic practice, used to balance the ether element and cultivate inner spaciousness.
How to Form Akasha Mudra - Step-by-Step Instructions
Hand Position and Finger Placement:
Join the tip of the middle finger with the tip of the thumb, keeping the rest of the three fingers - little, ring, and index - straight. This Mudra is a combination of the ether element (middle finger) with the sun (thumb), and from this union come the powers to heal ailments pertaining to sound and space.
Best Time and Seated Posture for Practice:
The best time for practicing this Mudra is in the morning, by sitting in either Sukhasana (easy pose) or Padmasana (lotus pose). Keep the palms facing up and hands comfortably resting on the knees.
Benefits of Akasha Mudra for Body and Mind:
Hearing Sensitivity and Ear Health -
Akasha Mudra is excellent for increasing sensitivity to hearing sounds. It is a boon in combination with Sunya Mudra for those who are hard of hearing, as it activates the ether element associated with the sense of sound.
Bone Strength - Calcium and Phosphorus Absorption
This Mudra activates the calcium and phosphorus absorption into the bones, making it helpful in cases of bone weakness such as osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Anxiety Relief, Mental Calm, and Meditation Support -
Due to its inherent quality of releasing tensions and keeping the mind calm and serene, Akasha Mudra is practiced during meditation. It is also a great Mudra for an anxious and ever-processing mind.
First Aid for Dizziness and Lockjaw -
Akasha Mudra serves as first aid in cases of dizziness. It is also successful in relieving the lockjaw experienced at times during yawning or during mental tension or over-exertion.
How to Practise Akasha Mudra - Duration and Technique
Recommended Frequency, Duration, and Hand Position:
Hold this Mudra in one or both hands, 3 times a day for 5 minutes in each practice cycle. Keep the palms facing up and hands comfortably resting on the knees. Practice in a cross-legged seated position or seated on a chair.
What to Observe During Practice:
Observe the changes in body temperature, breath pattern, taste in the mouth, bodily sensations, and shift in the state of mind. These subtle changes are indicators of the Mudra's effect on the ether element and the nervous system.
Source and Further Reading:
From the book Mudra: The Sacred Secret by Indu Arora, 2015. Reprinted with permission of Yogsadhna LLC.