Udana Vayu Mudra is a powerful hand formation that can balance the air in the throat area. Our body and head are held together with the neck. This neck region has a special energy that it balances the body and the head. There is a special air here called Udana which maintains this delicate balance. Udana literally means to fly. This air literally lets us fly. When we swim this air when balanced lets the head float. Udana Vayu is also responsible for the flow of food and water, it also controls hunger and thirst. Balancing the udana vayu with Udana Vayu mudra lets us regulate hunger thirst, control excess hunger and thirst.
In this article, we provide a deep look at how to perform the Udana Vayu Mudra, as well as its numerous benefits and important precautions.
What are Mudras?
Mudras are hand gestures that activate a certain element or energy in the body. The five fingers represent the five elements. The energy activation point lies on the fingertips. When the fingertips are connected, the subtle energy in your body gets activated. The thumb represents the fire element. This element represents agni within the body, and it serves to activate all the other elements.
The index finger represents air, middle finger ether, ring finger earth and the little finger represents the water element.
When different hand formations, or mudras, are formed, the combination of subtle elements has a powerful effect on the mind and body.
How Can Mudras Heal?
There is a spiritual force that mediates our mind-body connection. Ayurveda says that when the elements in our body are balanced, our bodies and minds are healthy. Whenever imbalance arises, we can attain balance by activating specific elements using various mudras. Acupuncture is another method that involves activating specific points in the body and improving the flow of energy. Mudras act in a similar way. The tips of our fingers act like electrical potential points, and when the mudras are formed, they create an electrical circuit that circulates energy throughout the body. As this energy circulates, we feel a healing effect. The most astonishing fact is that our brain uses about 60% of its surface area to process the movements and sensations of the hands.
RECOMMENDED: For a complete guide to the many mudras and their benefits, check out Healing Mudras: Yoga of the Hands by Yogi Nataraj.
How to Perform the Udana Vayu Mudra?
The Udana Vayu Mudra activates the Udana Vayu in the throat region. Touch the tips of the all fingers except the index finger, and gradually adjust until you can feel your pulse in your fingertips. Be aware of the outflow and inflow of energy going from and to the throat. Practice this mudra for about 15-20 minutes.
When Should I Perform the Udana Vayu Mudra?
The Udana Vayu Mudra is useful for:
- Improving Balance
- Very beneficial in vertigo
- Meditation on Udana Vayu mudra controls excess hunger
- Treating depression and lack of enthusiasm
- Improves breathing capacity
- Meditation on Udana Vayu controls excess thirst
- Aids in floating while swimming
- Enhancing the thyroid function
- Strengthens the parathyroid function
Remember that it is very important to feel your pulse while performing this mudra. The Udana vayu Mudra can be used in all sitting meditative poses, or even while practicing walking meditation.
Precautions When Practicing Vayu Mudra
If you have had any surgery in the neck area then avoid this mudra.
Suggested Sequence
- Sit in a comfortable position.
- Join your hands in a prayerful, meditative position.
- Straighten your back.
- Touch the tips of all the fingers to the thumb except the little finger.
- Keep the little finger as straight as possible.
- Hold the Udana Vayu Mudra for 10-20 minutes.
- Practice Prana Mudra for 10 minutes.
- Join your hands together and end with a prayer.
What Chakras Does Udana Vayu Mudra Activate?
The Udana Vayu mudra activates the Visuddhi chakra in the throat. Visuddhi Chakra relates to the ether element in the body. It is responsible for the sensation of hunger and thirst. By balancing the Udana Vayu we can balance the Visuddhi chakra which inturn controls the sensation of hunger and thirst. Balancing the Visuddhi or throat chakra makes us feels lighter and stronger as well. Ether element is also responsible for hearing and thoughts. We also obtain lightness and clarity in thoughts.
Related Mudras
- Samana Mudra
- Hakini Mudra
- Vayan Mudra
- Prana Mudra
- Surabhi Vayu Mudra
Related Yoga Poses
The fish pose (Matsyasana), Head stand (Shirshasana), Raised legs pose (Uttanapadasana), Seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana), Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) are poses which give similar effects as Udana Vayu mudra.
List of Mudra Guides
Mudras are very beneficial when performed with proper understanding. Mudras deal with individual elements, combinations of elements, the vital airs, the vital functions and even moods and feelings. Regular practice of each mudra based on our needs and present condition can help us achieve the specific results we are looking for. Please explore our various mudra guides and try out the practices that suit your needs
Chakra Mudras
- Mudras for the Root Chakra
- Mudras for the Sacral Chakra
- Mudras for the Navel Chakra
- Mudras for the Heart Chakra
- Mudras for the Throat Chakra
- Mudras for the Third-eye Chakra
- Mudras for the Crown Chakra
Mudra Sequences
Individual Mudra Guides
- Abhaya Mudra
- Adi Mudra
- Agni Mudra
- Akasha Mudra
- Anjali Mudra
- Apana Vayu Mudra
- Bhumisparsha Mudra
- Brahma Mudra
- Dharmachakra Mudra
- Dhyan Mudra
- Ganesha Mudra
- Gyan Mudra
- Kundalini Mudra
- Lotus Mudra
- Musti Mudra
- Prana Mudra
- Prithvi Mudra
- Rudra Mudra
- Shakti Mudra
- Shankha Mudra
- Shunya Mudra
- Surya Mudra
- Uttarabodhi
- Varada Mudra
- Vayu Mudra
- Vitarka Mudra
- Yoni Mudra