What is Prithvi Mudra?
Prithvi Mudra is a type of Hasta Mudra, or hand gesture, used in yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India). In Sanskrit, “Prithvi” means Earth, and “Mudra” means a symbolic hand gesture. Hasta Mudras express emotions, tell intricate stories, or convey spiritual ideas.
According to Ayurveda, the universe and the human body are composed of five main elements: earth, water, air, fire, and ether (space). Health issues arise when these elements are imbalanced. An imbalance of the earth element leads to weight gain and mental states like sadness, lack of motivation, and depression. Balancing the earth element in the body is essential to managing these issues. This specific mudra is one of the five Tattwa Mudras, known as Prithvi Tattwa Mudra, and is a powerful way to restore balance to the earth element within the body.
In Yoga and Meditation, this mudra also takes the form of Prithvi Dharana mudra, which differs from the Tattwa mudras. The medieval Hatha yoga text, Gheranda Samhita, outlines Twenty-Five Yoga Mudras, including five Dharana (concentration) Mudras. Prithvi Dharana Mudra is the first of these, where the Yogi meditates on the earth element within the body. However, in modern yoga, this mudra is generally referred to as the Tattwa mudra. Here, too, unless stated otherwise, we focus on it as a Tattwa Mudra.
I wish to present one more captivating piece of information to our readers. In the realm of Bharatanatyam, this hand gesture is designated as Mayura Hastha Mudra.
How to Do Prithvi Mudra?
The following are the steps to practice this mudra.
Step 1
Choose a comfortable seated posture, such as in Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Sukhasana (Easy Pose), or even seated in a chair. Keep your trunk straight. Relax your shoulders. relaxed.
Step 2
Rest your hands gently on your thighs or knees, with your palms facing up.
Lightly press the tip of your ring finger (symbolizing the earth element) against the tip of your thumb (symbolizing the fire element), keeping the other fingers extended and relaxed.
Step 3
Close your eyes and take slow, steady breaths, releasing tension with each exhale.
Step 4
Prolong for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes. Concentrate on the Base Chakra or Muladhara. Alternatively, you can focus on the eyebrow center too.
What are the Benefits of Prithvi Mudra?
The benefits of Prithvi Mudra include the following:.
It addresses the imbalance of the earth element, which gives the grounding and calming effect to the body. Hence, this mudra provides strength and vitality to the body. It provides ideal body weight. Also, it improves muscle strength and bone mass.
This mudra provides emotional balance and relief from depression.
Some people believe it promotes hair health.
Can Prithvi Mudra Grow Hair?
No, it cannot grow hair. There exists no scientific evidence that links this mudra with the growth of the hair. However, it can indirectly contribute to the hair growth because it promotes vitality, improves circulation, and reduces stress. These factors may potentially be helpful for healthy hair.
Prithvi Mudra for Hair Loss?
Though it cannot directly stimulate hair growth, it may help the issue of hair loss when combined with a balanced diet, regular scalp massage, and the avoidance of stress. Incorporating this Mudra into broader wellness may complement these efforts.
Prithvi Mudra for Weight Gain and Weight Loss
According to Ayurveda, it addresses the issue of weight gain. It balances the earth element. This means it improves both weight gain and loss. For better results, you can include specific yoga poses for ideal body weight along with a balanced diet. Dynamic Yoga poses like Sun Salutation, Tibetan Kriya, and Prana Mudra complement this Mudra for ideal weight management.
Prithvi Mudra for Root Chakra?
For Root Chakra activation, Prithvi Dharana Mudra is practiced. It is one of the fifteen mudras outlined in the Gheranda Samhita. It is a more powerful Mudra than the Tattwa Mudra. This is the real Yoga Mudra. Tattwa Mudras are not Yoga Mudras. They are the Ayurvedic mudras that involve the fingers.
Unlike Tattwa Mudra, Prithvi Dharana Mudra is performed by concentrating on the earth element in the Root Chakra. The earth element should be concentrated, imagining a yellow square. The consistent focus on this yellow square invokes Kundalini and activates the Root Chakra.
Prithvi Mudra for Skin?
There exists limited evidence that relates this mudra with healthy skin. However, incorporating this mudra with regular practice that includes enough hydration, balanced nutrition, and proper skincare may be helpful for healthy skin. This mudra balances the earth element, which balances the water element too. In other words, it helps to have enough hydration. It benefits skin by addressing stress-related issues like acne and eczema. Also, it improves digestion, which is also a cause of skin issues.
Can We Do Prithvi Mudra While Sleeping or Walking?
It requires a constant effort to do this mudra while sleeping or walking. Active walking is a highly challenging task. As per my understanding, it is better we should avoid this Mudra during any activity. When you are walking, the focus should be solely on walking. This is because when your focus is on some activity, the mudra is half-done. Hence, you could not get the full benefits of this mudra.
Similarly, to perform this mudra during sleep, you have to focus on keeping the mudra. This diverts the sleep. Sleep won’t come easily when you want to perfect the practice. If the sleep comes, the Mudra could not be perfect. Hence, it is not necessary to perform this mudra while walking or sleeping.
When to Do Prithvi Mudra?
It is better to avoid this practice within two hours after eating. This allows the body to focus on digestion. Except this time, it can be practiced anytime during the day. However, the morning before breakfast is the best time for practice.
Who Should Not Do Prithvi Mudra?
Some people suggest that those with excessive Kapha Dosha should not practice this for a longer duration. In their view, it may exacerbate the condition as it increases the earth element. In my view, it is not so. This is because the fire element balances the earth element. The longer duration of the practice cannot exacerbate any condition. However, those people with excess body weight should consult an Ayurvedic practitioner (not a yoga practitioner) before taking this practice for a longer duration.
Also, those who have joint pain should avoid this practice, as they have to sit for a long time.
Moreover. Pregnant women should avoid this mudra.
Prithvi Mudra and Prana Mudra
In Prana Mudra, the thumb touches the ring and little fingers. The little finger represents the water element. As we have already stated, the ring finger represents the earth, and the thumb represents the fire. Hence, it perfectly balances both water and earth elements. By this Mudra only, excess body weight and water retention in the body are rightly balanced. This only gives relief from Kapha Dosha. Also, it gives protection against mucus buildup, indigestion, and lethargy. Likewise, it prevents sadness and depression.
Prithvi Mudra Vs Surya Mudra
Similar to Prithvi Mudra, Surya Mudra involves the thumb and the ring finger. This time the tip of the ring finger touches the bottom of the thumb. This balances the fire element of the body. Hence, it improves digestion and metabolism.
Conclusion
Performing this mudra helps balance only the earth element in the body. However, to achieve overall health and wellness, it’s important to balance all five elements in the body. For this, you would need to practice additional hand gestures that correspond to the other elements. Only then can the practice be considered complete. To maximize the benefits of these mudras, it’s advisable to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized guidance.
