Have you ever thought that a simple hand movement could impact your body and mind in profound ways? Ancient wisdom tells us that hand mudras—specific finger gestures used in yoga and meditation—can activate energy channels, bringing balance, healing, and even relief from certain ailments. One such practice involves stretching your ring finger with your thumb, which might seem like a minor movement but can have surprising benefits. Let’s dive into why you should try this today!
What Are Mudras and Why Do They Matter?
Mudras are symbolic hand positions used in yoga, meditation, and traditional healing practices. These hand gestures are believed to direct energy flow through the body, helping to restore balance, improve focus, and even alleviate stress. Each finger represents one of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—and engaging them in specific ways can bring about healing effects.
One of the simplest yet powerful mudras involves pressing your thumb against your ring finger. This specific hand gesture is linked to the Earth element, promoting grounding, stability, and improved overall well-being.
Now, let’s explore some of the most beneficial mudras and how they can transform your mind and body.
1. Gyan Mudra (Knowledge Mudra) – The Ultimate Brain Booster
How to Do It:
- Sit comfortably, keeping your hands relaxed on your knees.
- Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger while keeping the other fingers extended.
Benefits:
✔ Improves focus, memory, and concentration.
✔ Refreshes the mind and enhances learning ability.
✔ Helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
✔ Supports better sleep and helps combat insomnia.
Video : Reasons Why You Should Stretch Your Ring Finger With Your Thumbs, And Maintain For a Few Seconds
This is the go-to mudra for anyone looking to sharpen their mental clarity and brain power!
2. Vayu Mudra (Air Mudra) – Relieve Gas and Joint Pain
How to Do It:
- Bend your index finger toward your palm.
- Press it down gently with the base of your thumb while keeping the other fingers straight.
Benefits:
✔ Helps eliminate excess gas from the stomach, reducing bloating.
✔ Relieves digestive discomfort, constipation, and acidity.
✔ Eases joint pain, including arthritis and cervical spondylitis.
This mudra is a lifesaver for those dealing with digestive issues and stiffness in the body.
3. Prithvi Mudra (Earth Mudra) – Boost Energy and Immunity
How to Do It:
- Touch the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb.
- Gently press them together while keeping the other fingers extended.
Benefits:
✔ Enhances blood circulation and boosts energy.
✔ Strengthens the immune system and supports tissue repair.
✔ Helps balance body weight and supports digestion.
This mudra is perfect for rejuvenating the body and improving overall vitality.
4. Agni Mudra (Fire Mudra) – Accelerate Metabolism and Burn Fat
How to Do It:
- Bend your ring finger towards your palm.
- Press it down using the base of your thumb, while keeping the other fingers extended.
Benefits:
✔ Increases metabolism and aids in fat loss.
✔ Lowers cholesterol and improves digestion.
✔ Strengthens the immune system and enhances overall well-being.
If you’re looking to boost metabolism and burn fat naturally, this is a great mudra to practice daily.
5. Jal Mudra (Water Mudra) – Improve Hydration and Circulation
How to Do It:
- Touch your little finger to the tip of your thumb.
- Press them gently while keeping the other fingers straight.
Benefits:
✔ Enhances blood circulation and reduces body pain.
✔ Helps with dehydration and dry mouth.
✔ Improves skin hydration and overall moisture balance.
A great mudra to use if you’re dealing with dry skin or dehydration-related issues!
6. Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness) – Soothe Ear and Throat Issues
How to Do It:
- Press the first phalanx of your middle finger against the base of your thumb.
Benefits:
✔ Helps with ear pain, vertigo, and motion sickness.
✔ Relieves sore throat and sinus congestion.
✔ Supports hearing and overall ear health.
Perfect for people who experience frequent ear discomfort or balance issues.
Video : Trigger Finger Exercises
How to Do It:
- Bend your little finger and ring finger towards your palm.
- Touch both fingers with the tip of your thumb while keeping the other fingers straight.
Benefits:
✔ Boosts energy levels and reduces fatigue.
✔ Enhances mental clarity and alertness.
✔ Strengthens the immune system and promotes overall well-being.
If you feel drained or exhausted, this mudra can help restore your energy and vitality.
Final Thoughts – Why You Should Try These Mudras Today!
Practicing hand mudras is an effortless yet powerful way to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether you need more energy, better focus, pain relief, or stress reduction, there’s a mudra for every need!
The best part? You can practice these anytime, anywhere—whether you’re at work, meditating, or even watching TV.
So, are you ready to experience the benefits of these ancient hand gestures? Try them out and let us know which one works best for you!
My 6-Year-Old Granddaughter Came to Visit for the Holidays—Then Spilled the Beans About What Her Mom Says Behind My Back
Every grandmother loves spending quality time with their grandkids during the holidays. But when my six-year-old granddaughter started calling me names, I put a plan in motion that helped me discover that not everyone in your life will appreciate you.
Every holiday, I look forward to having Brittany, my six-year-old granddaughter, stay with me for the winter break. I was excited about our usual traditions: baking cookies, watching movies, and spoiling her with gifts. But last year changed everything.
Chocolate chip cookies baking on a pan on the stove counter at Christmas | Source: Midjourney
The week before her arrival, I transformed my house into a winter wonderland. Also, my kitchen counters disappeared under bags of flour, sugar, and chocolate chips for her favorite Christmas cookies. I really went all out to make it special for her.
Anyway, when I pulled up to my son, Todd, and his wife Rachel’s house to pick her up, Brittany burst through the front door with her PAW Patrol backpack bouncing behind her. Her pink winter coat was only half-zipped, and one of her boots was untied.
Little blonde girl running through the front yard holding a Paw Patrol backpack | Source: Midjourney
“Nanny!” she squealed, launching herself into my arms. Her hair smelled like strawberry shampoo, and she squeezed my neck so tight I could barely breathe. “Did you get the special hot chocolate? The one with the little marshmallows?”
“Of course, I did, sweetheart. And maybe some other surprises too.” I winked at her while fixing her coat and boot.
Rachel appeared in the doorway, phone in hand. “Her pajamas are in the front pocket,” she said without looking up. “And try not to give her too much sugar this time. Last visit, she was bouncing off the walls for days after.”
I gave Rachel a reassuring smile and ushered Brittany to my car.
Elegant woman in her 60s smiling in her front yard | Source: Midjourney
That first night, Brittany refused to sleep in the guest room. “Please, Nanny? I want to see the Christmas tree lights!” She looked up at me with those big brown eyes, clutching her favorite stuffed dog. “Chase wants to see them too!”
I wasn’t sure about a child sleeping in the living room, but I figured one time wouldn’t hurt. So, I helped her make a nest of blankets on the couch, right where she could see the tree.
While I cooked dinner, she sprawled out with her coloring books, humming along to the Christmas music playing softly in the background.
Little blonde girl coloring on a kitchen island | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, old lady,” she called out suddenly, giggling. “Can I have some juice?”
I nearly dropped the spatula. “What did you say, honey?”
“Old lady!” she repeated, giggling harder. “Can I have apple juice?”
I gave her the juice and brushed off her words… at first. I knew kids picked up all sorts of things at school.
But over the next few days, things got worse. The playful “old lady” turned into “wrinkly hag” and other names that made my stomach twist.
Elegant woman in her 60s looking worried in her living room | Source: Midjourney
These weren’t things children should say, but Brittany never said them maliciously. I think she thought they were just nicknames, but I had to find out for sure.
One afternoon, while Brittany was coloring again, I pulled up a chair beside her. “Brit, honey, where did you learn to call me ‘old lady’ and ‘ha-hag’?” I stuttered. “Was it at kindergarten? Did you hear the other kids say them to others?”
Without missing a beat, she shook her head. “That’s what Mom and Dad say about you all the time when you call!”
A little blonde girl coloring with an elegant woman in her 60s sitting beside her looking worried | Source: Midjourney
My heart stopped.
Todd and Rachel? My own son and daughter-in-law were speaking about me like this? To their six-year-old? That wasn’t fair, especially after everything I’d done for them over the years.
My late husband and I had helped them buy their home, and I’d later chipped in with their mortgage payments. Also, I’d often rearranged my schedule to watch Brittany when their babysitter canceled.
I’d even paid for their family vacation to Disney World last summer. My eyes watered, remembering Rachel’s tight smile when I handed her the check. “You really don’t have to do this,” she’d said, but she took it anyway.
Woman in her 30s with a tight face holding a check in her living room | Source: Midjourney
Had she been resenting my help all along?
That night, I came up with a plan, but I knew I had to wait until my granddaughter’s vacation was over
The next day, I gently explained to Brittany that calling me those names wasn’t nice, and to her credit, she stopped. We spent the rest of her winter break enjoying our usual activities.
We baked enough cookies to feed an army, watched every Christmas movie in my collection twice, and stayed up until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve drinking hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
A woman in her 60s sitting on a couch with her little granddaughter watching movies | Source: Midjourney
A few days after New Year’s, it was time to take Brittany back to Todd’s. While she was in the bathroom, I hesitated, then slipped a small voice recorder into her PAW Patrol backpack.
When I dropped her off, Rachel barely looked up from her phone. That was fine with me; I wasn’t sure I could hide my feelings.
I focused on my girl instead, hugging her extra tightly. “Love you, sweetheart,” I whispered.
“Love you too, Nanny,” she replied, skipping inside with her backpack.
Blonde little girl running to the front door of a house | Source: Midjourney
I went home and waited. I knew the recorder wouldn’t last more than a day, but I didn’t want to seem overeager. I waited almost two weeks before I finally called Rachel.
My hands shook as I dialed. “I was thinking Brittany might like to spend the weekend,” I said, keeping my voice light. “It’s been so quiet without her.”
“Oh, sure,” Rachel replied with a sigh. “That would be… helpful. We were thinking of having some people over anyway.”
Woman in her 30s holding a phone and looking inconvenienced | Source: Midjourney
That Friday, when Brittany arrived, I waited until she was engrossed in her new PAW Patrol episode before retrieving the recorder from her backpack. My fingers trembled as I plugged it into my computer.
At first, there was mostly crackling or incomprehensible noise. But then Rachel’s voice came through loud and clear, and soon, Todd joined the conversation.
They talked about nothing important for what felt like an eternity. And then, I heard it.
“She’s so exhausting,” Rachel said. “Always calling, always trying to help. Like we can’t raise our own child? Did you see how many toys she bought this time? She’s trying to buy Brittany’s love.”
Woman in her 60s walking through the mall holding bags of toys | Source: Midjourney
“I know, but she’s my mom,” Todd said weakly. “She means well.”
“Well, I’m sick of it,” Rachel added. “I bet she has Easter already planned for us and this summer’s vacation. I thought telling Brittany to call her names would get her to back off, but I bet she’ll be calling to babysit soon.”
“I’m tired of her meddling too,” my son chimed in. “Maybe, we should start putting some boundaries. Let’s plan something for this summer for ourselves.”
A blonde man in his 30s looking worried while talking to a woman at the kitchen table | Source: Midjourney
That was more than enough. I slammed the laptop shut and breathed intently through my nose.
I had all the confirmation I needed. They had intentionally set up my granddaughter to call me names. They also thought I was too intrusive in their lives.
Fine. If they wanted boundaries, I’d give them boundaries. They wanted me to mind my own business? I’d do just that.
That Sunday, I invited them for dinner. I made Todd’s favorite lasagna and even bought Rachel’s preferred wine. Brittany ate too much and fell asleep on the couch afterward. I thought that was a good time to face my son and daughter-in-law.
Little blonde girl sleeping on a couch | Source: Midjourney
“I have something you need to hear,” I said, setting my laptop on the dining table and pressing play.
Their faces went pale as their own voices filled the room. Rachel’s wine glass froze halfway to her mouth.
“Mom, I can explain,” Todd stammered but wouldn’t meet my gaze.
I held up my hand. “No excuses,” I said. “I’ve spent years supporting you both, loving you, being there whenever you needed me. And this is what you do? Teach my granddaughter to disrespect me?”
Elegant woman in her 60s sitting on a kitchen table with one hand up looking serious and upset | Source: Midjourney
I pulled out a bag of new toys I’d bought for Brittany. “These are for her. Because no matter what you think of me, I will always love that little girl. But things need to change. If you don’t appreciate my help or generosity, then I’m done.”
Rachel sat there, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Todd slumped in his chair, looking like the little boy who used to crawl into my bed during thunderstorms.
A man and woman in their 30s looking surprised and sad sitting at the kitchen table | Source: Midjourney
“These are the boundaries you wanted: no more financial help and no more babysitting unless I want to,” I sighed, crossing my arms. They still couldn’t say a word, and honestly, I didn’t want to hear anything from them. “I think it’s time you take Brittany home. Don’t call me unless it’s an emergency.”
Slowly, they stood and left quietly, carrying their sleeping daughter and the bag of toys. I locked the door behind them and sank onto my couch, exhausted but somehow lighter.
Elegant woman in her 60s sitting on a couch looking relaxed but pensive | Source: Midjourney
A while later, I made myself a cup of tea and turned on my favorite show. The house felt too quiet without Brittany’s giggles and running footsteps.
Sometimes standing up for yourself hurts, but it’s better than letting people walk all over you. I just hoped that one day, my family would understand that my love didn’t mean they could take me for granted, or that they could teach my precious granddaughter to hurt me.
Elegant woman in her 60s sitting on a couch drinking tea looking relaxed but pensive | Source: Midjourney
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