Pregnancy is an extremely special period of one’s life. However, it comes with many challenges in terms of handling the new responsibilities and the new position. We only see the outside achievement-and how exhilarating it is to be promoted to the position of a newly minted mom. No one, except for another mother, knows the pains, the tedium and the huge physiological and psychological changes associated with this new state of being. However, did you know that ancient Indian hand gestures, known as mudras, can help women with issues during pregnancy, birth and postpartum?
Here are the best 5 mudras to practice during pregnancy, birth and postpartum (and how to do them!)
- Yoni Mudra
- Kundalini Mudra
- Jal Shaamak Mudra
- Garuda Mudra
- Ushas Mudra
Obviously, it is not a simple task to be a mom; it is not an easy task to be a may-have-been mom as well! Whatever the state, the task of being a hands-on new mom, after childbirth, is multifold. ‘Respite’ is a word that does not exist for a new mom. In fact, you can throw it out of the window, for long spells.
Today, We Discuss Practicing Mudras as an Effective Technique to Reduce Issues During Pregnancy and Postpartum Blues
Today, we discuss the ways to get over the restive state that descends on one who is going through pregnancy, one who has just delivered a baby and is going through the post partum blues, and one who is trying her best to become pregnant, but to no avail. Would you believe it, if we told you that there are mudras that are specially exclusive for the well being for the pregnant lady and the woman who wants to get some peace in her restless mind, after having given birth, and wait, even for the one, who is struggling to cope with the pressures of becoming pregnant, after many failed attempts.
The ancient spiritual masters of the East had everything in place, and prime among these is the broad spectrum topic called the mudras that offer a proper fix for all ailments. Nothing ever escapes the ambit of the therapeutic power of these almost magical mudras.
1. Yoni Mudra
This is a mudra that is very effective during pregnancy and postpartum stages
How does one do the Yoni Mudra? Well, we need to bring the palms together, and the thumbs of both the hands should touch each other at the tips, and then they should face up. The middle fingers, the ring fingers and the little fingers are all bent. They should bend towards the palm. The index fingers should be touching each other at the tips as well. This is a mudra that is very effective.
This mudra helps with bringing back that interest in a person who has lost interest in conjugal relations, post delivery. This mudra also quietens the mind and calms the nervous system. Additionally, it also heightens the control over all the senses.
By constantly doing it, we gain a deep sighted inner awareness, most important for introspection. These are the side benefits. The main benefits are strengthening the uterus and the lower abdomen, apart from reviving interest in a flagging sex drive. The Yoni is also another name for the womb. This mudra helps one to get over the problems of dysmenorrhea.
This mudra helps with the uterus strengthening and the problems associated with pregnancy and post pregnancy problems. The mudra also helps one to cope with the stress of having delivered a baby. It’s regular practice helps one to emerge with a healthy uterus, making us fit to cope with all the physiological changes that occur with issues related to pregnancy and the host of problems associated with it.
2. Kundalini Mudra
The kundalini mudra helps heal issues related to early orgasm, lack of sexual drive post pregnancy
Many times, after childbirth, women lose interest in sex. A healthy mind creates a healthy body. The Postpartum stage creates a lot of physiological changes in a woman’s body, and then there is also the emotionally weak state that compounds the existing issues. It is imperative then, that every woman tries the Kundalini mudra, which is quite simple to practice.
How does one practice it? The mudra combines both fists and places one on top of the other. This symbolizes the unity of the masculine and the feminine elements. In a larger perspective, it means the union of the individual and the universe. The kundalini mudra helps heal issues related to early orgasm, lack of sexual drive, reproductive issues and the healing of the muscles that went beyond their elasticity to accommodate a baby. This mudra helps to heal all the sexual problems as well. This mudra helps a woman get back the sexual urge that is relegated to the background with the onset of new physiological changes associated with pregnancy as well as childbirth.
Other ways to enjoy sexual experiences more and have more powerful orgasms is through a combination of Tantra and mindfulness – go here to learn different tips to try out in your bedroom
3. Jal Shaamak Mudra
Practice this mudra everyday to ease issues associated with pregnancy and postpartum
Practice this mudra with both hands, like the Naasika mudra. Bring the tip of the little finger to the base of the thumb. Then, place the thumb on the little finger. Practice this everyday to ease the problems associated with reproductive organs. This mudra is so effective that not only does its influence relate to the healing of the uterus, but it also helps heal the uterus and the problems related to menopause, irregular periods and painful periods. In fact, when after childbirth, the new mom has excessive menstruation, the regular practice of this mudra helps to ease that situation.
It also increases the sexual libido in women, which is common in the months after childbirth. Any excessive swelling of the body parts is supposed to be set straight with this powerful mudra. In fact one should stop practicing this after the ailment is cured too.
4. The Garuda Mudra
Reduce and alleviate reproductive organ issues with the Garuda Mudra.
The Garuda Mudra is named after the king of birds, in Indian mythology, called Garuda. In Indian mythology, Garuda represents heaven and birth. Snakes, which often represent death and mortality, all fear Garuda. The Garuda Mudra is a suitable name for its ability to swiftly help heal, ease, and reduce many reproductive problems. Regularly practicing this mudra helps to heal the issues related to postpartum.
How does one do it? Well, first spread out the fingers of both the palms , in such a way that the spread out hands resemble the wings of a bird. Then link the thumbs of the palms together and continue to spread out the palms. Spread out your palms and have them face your chest. Link the thumbs of both hands.
Your breath should be normal. The Garuda mudra helps with issues relating to the reproductive organs, the digestive organs and the respiratory organs as well. It also eliminates all the toxins and the wastes in the body, and ensures that the digestive fire is in proper and effective operation. The Garuda mudra eliminates and alleviates many Menstruation cycle problems. It is important to know that with the regular practice of the Garuda mudra eases problems related to the sexual drive, the sexual organs and to nullify all anomalies that arise due to lack or excess of its powers. The Garuda mudra also gives us power over our faculties. Metaphorically, the bird Garuda is a powerful symbol that highlights how it is in control of every act, be it small or big.
The Garuda mudra is great in combination with yoga, meditation and plants to help us heal and improve. Combining the science of Yoga, mudra, meditation, pranayama and herbs and plants that heal is an art. Using a little of everything, but every day, ensures a continuity that is a major factor for good health. When one starts to practice Pranayama, yoga and meditation, they also veer towards gentle and mild home remedies to address the problems they encounter. Head here to learn more.
5. Ushas Mudra
A mudra to increase and augment sexual pleasure
The Ushas mudra which appears quite uncomplicated and simple, is a mudra that has a whole gamut of advantages for damsels who have just given birth and those who are going through the postpartum blues. Prominent among those is the total lack of wanting to resume sexual relations; or the desire to revert to a life of exploring the sexuality within. Often, women may have a less sexual desire due to anxiety caused by work, home, or family responsibilities. The urge to resume sexual connect dies down totally for some, while for some, it is a temporary phase. This mudra addresses this issue and creates the spark back into the sexual part of it. It also ensures an overall sense of renewed creativity.
This mudra has other benefits too- it helps to harmonize the hormones that play truant post childbirth, in women. It helps bring about pleasure, and awakens sexuality. It may appear as a simple mudra, but is extremely efficacious, when practiced everyday. This awakens creativity in other areas as well; if one is an artist, he or she will see remarkable spark in their works of creation.
Try This Simple Mudra to Awaken Sexuality and Balance Hormones During Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
How do we do it? First of all, both men and women can do it. The mudra being a very simple step, is practiced like this- the hands are clasped together and the fingers are interlaced. The mudra differs in the way men and women practice it. In men, the hands are placed on top of each other and when we interlace the fingers, the right thumb rests on top. The top thumb (in women, left) should apply gentle pressure to the other thumb that is below the top thumb. This mudra, if practiced from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, everyday, religiously, creates an effective pattern for bringing about the desired results. Our sexual energy is coiled in the second chakra, or Svadishtana chakra. By practicing this mudra, we will feel a renewed energy rise within us.
More Mudras
For a detailed guide on how to do mudras for anxiety, depression, focus and more, see our article here. Learn how you can help yourself the natural way.
Practice these 5 Mudras Consistently to Reduce Issues During Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
Practicing these five mudras will help every woman who has just been through the noble task of pregnancy. While it may be extremely harrowing for some, due to their situation and the issues related to the conception, it is an experience that is created by Nature and is unique to each. Still, the post pregnancy or the post childbirth stage is one, replete with physiological changes that will not reverse, since we have been party to the divine act of creating life within our womb. The best way to get over the small problems associated with this is through the practice of these mudras whenever possible, and preferably in a set manner. If you practice it at the same time, everyday, without giving up on the practice, it can definitely work wonders for us.
To understand how long it takes mudras to work and how to speed up the results, head over to this article.
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
Learn more about Shanti by reading her bio below.
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