Varun Mudra
The little finger, seat of water, meets the thumb. For dryness anywhere in the body — skin, eyes, joints, blood, mouth — and for the emotional brittleness that dryness brings with it.
Meaning of the name
The seal of Varuna, lord of the waters. Also called Jal Mudra — the seal of moisture, of everything that flows.
How to practise
- 1
Sit comfortably, hands resting palms up on the knees.
- 2
Bring the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb.
- 3
Keep the other three fingers extended and relaxed.
- 4
Hold with very light pressure — water responds to gentleness, not force.
- 5
Drink a glass of warm water afterwards to reinforce the practice.
Benefits
- Relieves dry skin, eczema, cracked heels and dull complexion
- Eases dry eyes, dry mouth and dry cough
- Improves lubrication in stiff, creaking joints
- Supports kidney function and healthy urine flow
- Corrects mild dehydration and the headache that comes with it
- Softens emotional rigidity — helps the practitioner feel less hardened
What happens in the nervous system
The little finger is supplied by the ulnar nerve, and its territory maps onto spinal segments C8–T1 — the same outflow that contributes to autonomic supply for the upper limb vasculature. Whether or not one accepts the elemental model, warmth and colour returning to dry hands during this practice is a common and easily observed effect.
Related practices
KSN Yoga & Healing