What would a woman not give to have a head full of bouncy hair? Having a long mane of hair is akin to a gift of life, for any woman. The thicker, longer, and denser it is, the more chance of her being noticed at any gathering. She is going to stand out from the crowd! If it is lustrous, with the sheen almost blinding the beholder, then it is definitely going to make heads turn! Did you know that in India, Yoga mudras have been used for centuries for hair growth and to reduce hair loss?
The following are best yoga mudras for hair growth and reducing hair loss. Learn here how you can do them:
- Prana mudra
- Prithvi mudra
- Gyan mudra
- Vayu mudra
- Prasanna mudra
For other mudras to combat stress, anxiety, depression, boost concentration, brain power and more, we’ve included this mudra guide for beginners.
Introduction
For centuries, women have obsessed about having something that eludes even celebrities, what with all the money they can spend, on having shiny long hair- it happens that some are really gifted and its part of their genes, or their genetic blueprint, to have beautiful hair as part of their basic inbuilt structure. Soon, even this was not difficult to have, when there were health gurus who brought out manuals with suggestions and the correct yoga mudras and yoga asanas to tackle this deficiency, and acquire that most coveted thing- a head full of hair with sheen.
(And there’s a lot more yoga asanas can do for you, so if you are a beginner to yoga who has trouble with sleep and insomnia, check our article with 10 best yoga poses to help you do just that.)
Mudras that are not mere hand gestures or symbols, but dynamic, and laden with advantages, when practiced diligently……
Let us take a look at what these methods are, and how to adopt them. Let’s explore the influence and the power of mudras as a catalyst for both, preventing hair loss and also the growth of thicker, denser and longer hair, at a reasonably good speed. There are many mudras in our ancient texts. However, the most effective ones to handle the issue of hair growth are : Prana Mudra, Prithvi Mudra, Gyan Mudra, Vayu Mudra and Prasanna Mudra.
Before elaborating on the technique of each mudra, it is imperative to clear the myths about them; first of all, like what people supposedly understand them to be, they cannot be brushed off as mere hand gestures that are baseless in their power and strength. They exude immense power once the procedure is initiated, then followed religiously (preferably at the same time,) , everyday.
The seers of the ancient ages knew that these mudras were like codes. They are mediums to use the subtle energies around us. To channelize them and then use them to manipulate things in our physical bodies. They had the power to re-format and re-connect the energy points in our bodies and re-engineer the internal circuit to perform specific tasks in the most conducive manner. In layman’s terms- they rewired our body mechanisms and helped to enhance the internal working systems well.
Lifestyle patterns are also responsible for falling hair or hair loss……
Being caught up with lifestyle patterns that differ from person to person, the presence of the five energy systems in our physical bodies start experiencing deficit levels. Our functioning diminishes and then we experience disturbances in our physical bodies at various levels- hairfall is one of these big disturbances. This can be set right, when we try to do it at the grassroot level, by practising the mudras. And Ayurveda says that our fingers are the bedrock of the five elements- and what are these five elements?
All matter is composed of five basic elements — called the ‘panchamahabhutas’ — which exhibit the properties of earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and space (akaasha).
Each phalange and phalanx of the finger is a button for different energies (see image below, to identify what phalanx and phalange are), and by trying to press and exert pressure on the apt point, we enhance and improve the corresponding body part that resonates with the point on the fingers, palm of our hands. When we press the points, they generate subtle energies to the body part that needs to be addressed, and as if by magic, the anomaly is completely reset and the problem disappears, completely.
When we practise mudras – presently, focusing on the issue of stopping hair loss and increasing hair growth, then we have to remember that sustained practise of the mudras everyday, religiously, is the key. We need to practise the following mudras very assiduously:
1. Yoga Mudras for Hair Growth – Prana Mudra is about the life force in our body…..
The word Prana in Sanskrit means ‘LIFE FORCE’ or ‘LIFE’. The essence of this mudra is that it helps stimulate the root chakra, or the mooladhara chakra, and then starts off to augment the vital force of the body. And there’s so much more this mudra, as well as other yoga and meditation techniques can do for you, such as help reduce ageing! This is a life hack well worth exploring.
Coming back to Prana mudra: sit in a comfortable position on a chair, or on a mat and close your eyes. Join the tip of the little finger and the ring finger to the tip of the thumb. Continue to hold this symbol/ mudra in your hand by applying a gentle pressure to it. Keep the remaining two fingers straight. You should practice this mudra with both hands. The back of the palms are placed on the knee, and the mudras are facing up
Now, as your mudras in the hands are fixed, you can shift your focus to the breathing- the inhalation and the exhalation. Ideally, this mudra is most effective if practised for about 15 to 45 minutes daily. If you are short of time, yet desirous of practising it for 45 minutes, as your goal is hair growth, come hell or high water, you could decided to split it into three time frames of 15 minutes each time, and after a mandala (40 days), watch the amazing results. The best part is that this mudra could be done anywhere and at any time.
2. Yoga Mudras for Hair Growth – The Prithvi Mudra is the earth element which keeps us grounded and healthy…….
The earth element in the body is called the Prithvi mudra. When we focus on the mudra that triggers the earth aspect in our physical self, it encourages or promotes the earth element. By practising this mudra everyday, religiously, for about 20 minutes, we help our body to reconnect and strengthen the earth modes in our body, the various connections get overwritten and the weaknesses are strengthened. So, the weak hair roots get energised and are made strong; our blood supply from the heart gets stronger and as far as the hair is concerned, the follicles get nourished, and the roots get healthy. The Padmasana pose is good for this mudra.
3. Yoga Mudras for Hair Growth – The Gyan Mudra’s benefits are far reaching…
‘Gyan’ is knowledge in Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages of not only India, but also the entire world. As the name itself indicates that it has an effect in the arena of knowledge, especially in the human body. So, when we sit on Sukhasana or Padmasana to practice this mudra in stillness, it calms the mind. As calm descends over us, the effect cascades down to the areas in our body which are most in need of this calmness.
(And another scientifically proven way to calm the mind is to practice Yoga Nidra. We described this ancient technique, its benefits and how to do it here.)
On regular practice of this mudra, the hair follicles and the scalp respond to the stimulations caused by this. Consequently, there is no more hair loss. After the problem of hair fall is arrested, the next aspect is that of dense hair growth, that is sparked off. After sitting in either the padmasana or the sukhasana, try to touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of the index finger in both hands. Continue in this mudra for at least 20 to 30 minutes, diligently.
4. Yoga Mudras for Hair Growth – Vayu Mudra has a lot to offer, despite its simplistic style…
The Vayu mudra is a very important mudra to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. As the name indicates, vayu, is something to do with the air element in our body; Air is an integral part or component of any physical object, be it inanimate or with life. By constantly practicing the vayu mudra, the excess air in the body gets reduced. When this happens, the nutrients are able to be better ingested by the different organs of our body. Consequently, the hair gets only stronger and stronger.
As we practice the vayu mudra, a complete calming effect cascades into our very being. Slowly, this state of mind spreads itself to all parts of our body. Eventually, the calmness overtakes the stress in our being. Then, the negative states of being get pushed out of the system. The hair and the nails get strengthened.
You can combine this mudra with Sheetali pranayama, a super effective way to stay cool, calm and collected. And here’s how.
Vayu Mudra
As with all the mudras, first sit in sukhasana. From this state, spread out both your palms face up. Then the tip of the index finger, also called the pointer, touches the base of the thumb, in both hands.Slowly exert pressure on the upper part of the thumb and maintain this mudra for at least 20 minutes- making sure to sit in a tranquil manner in the same position.
Perform this mudra in the Vajrasana position. This will bring a more peaceful state of mind and also aid in digestion. The vayu mudra balances the air element in the body. It even has the power to remove the possibility of falling prey to Parkinson’s Disease. Its good effects are so far reaching- it helps beat sciatica, even paralysis and other nerve related disorders.
Like all other mudras, its effectiveness is in direct proportion to the presence of the vayu element in our body…..
Therefore, undoubtedly, the vayu mudra is one of the most important of all the mudras. Vayu mudra is said to cure people of arthritis also; it also helps balance the doshas or the discrepancies associated with vata dosha. This translates to issues arising out of the imbalance of the wind’s presence in our bodies. Regular practice of the vayu mudra ensures that the pain that one undergoes due to cervical spondylitis also slowly disappears.
5. Yoga Mudras for Hair Growth – Prasanna Mudra is like it sounds- joyful way of practicing it…
This is perhaps one of the most simplest forms of mudra, with a fun element to it. The nails of both hands are rubbed against each other for a long time- around 20 minutes, at a stretch. This can be continued again for 20 minutes after a while. This is a sure shot cure or remedy for stopping hair loss, and for promoting new hair growth. Many people practice this regularly because it increases blood circulation to the scalp. Consequently, this improves the nutrition supply to the hair follicles. Ultimately, this improves natural hair growth. And there’s a lot more that mudras can do for you. Whether it’s depression, stress, anxiety, concentration, brain power or arthritis pain, there’s a mudra that can help you release it. Find out more on how to use these age old techniques for your benefit here.
The best way to do this is to sit in a Padmasana or Sukhasana position; Vajrasana is good as well. Next, keep both the palms on the thighs. From here, join the nails of both hands, by making them face each other. Start rubbing one against the other in a zig zag fashion. Rub the hands towards the left once and towards the right next. There is a tingling feeling or sensation initially, when you start to do this. Then, the tempo sets in. There is a fun feeling as well.
Prasanna mudra
The name itself, prasanna, conveys to us that there is a feeling of joy while doing this mudra. This joyful feeling pervades our entire being when we are practicing it. Hence, to indulge in a short meditative effort that is going to have far-reaching effects and consequences. This is conducive to the promotion of good hair growth, is itself a good sadhana, or effort. And speaking of meditation, you can see here how Vedic astrology can enable you to find the meditation that works for you.
Conclusion: Yoga Mudras are Natural, Effective Solutions for Hair Growth – Use Them!
It’s strange, but while nature gives us ailments and health problems, it is also a fact that the ailments have antidotes as well. These antidotes can be self-generated. For example, they can be created in the mudras mentioned here. They have a host of benefits pertaining to specific losses and issues. There is no doubt that many health issues in today’s world are a combination of many lifestyle patterns we adopt. For example, the kind of chemically engineered food we consume and the fast paced tempo that dictates our world everyday. Often, we even think that to have free time on hand means we are not considered a success. Let’s adopt these invaluable mudras and make our life worth living and valuable.
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
Learn more about Shanti by reading her bio below.
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