Hair-related concerns have long been a subject of interest within the realms of Yoga and Ayurveda, which consider hair and nails as the byproducts of metabolic processes linked to the skeletal system’s creation. Yoga experts suggest that certain hair-related issues, including hair restoration, early hair thinning, and baldness, can be addressed successfully with mudras, hand gestures associated with meditation and healing.
Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Institutions, Himalaya Yoga Ashrama, and World Yoga Organisation, in an exclusive interview with HT Lifestyle, shared insights on how specific mudras, practiced for 10-15 minutes twice a day, can potentially offer remedies for various hair issues. These mudras can be incorporated into a daily routine, preferably during the early morning, or at any time suitable for the practitioner.
Balayam Mudra: Siddhaa Akshar described the method for performing this mudra, which is believed to enhance hair health:
Create a half-fist by curling your fingers inwards, extending your thumb.
Ensure that the nails of your fingers come into contact with each other by facing your palms towards each other.
Employ a swift up-and-down motion to rub the nails of one hand against the other. It’s essential to rub only the nails of the fingers, excluding the thumb.
Prithvi Mudra: To perform this mudra, Siddhaa Akshar recommended:
Sit in a meditative pose like Sukhasana or Padmasana with a straight back.
Gently touch the tips of your thumb and ring fingers.
Keep the rest of your fingers extended.
Place the back of your palms on your knees and focus on your breath, connecting the elements Agni and Prithvi at the fingertips.
Prana Mudra: This mudra involves both hands and follows these steps:
Join the tips of the ring and little fingers with the tip of the thumb.
Extend the other fingers straight.
Inhale and exhale for the same duration, chanting a sound.
Hold this mudra for 15 minutes each in the morning and evening.
Hakini Mudra: Siddhaa Akshar referred to this as the mudra for the mind, best practiced at sunrise. The steps are as follows:
Assume a stable seated posture like Sukhasana or Padmasana.
Bring the palms a few inches apart, facing each other.
Join the fingertips and thumbs with light contact.
Raise the hands to the level of the third-eye chakra in the center of the forehead.
Vayu Mudra: To perform this mudra:
Sit in a meditative pose with a straight back.
Place the tip of the index finger at the base of your thumb.
Gently press the thumb upon your finger.
Benefits of Balayam Mudra (Nail Rubbing):
Balayam Mudra, or rubbing the nails, offers several advantages, as highlighted by Siddhaa Akshar:
Promotes relaxation through a calming exercise.
Improves blood circulation in the scalp, strengthening hair follicles and supporting healthy hair growth.
Enhances hair texture, volume, and tone while preventing premature graying.
Boosts overall blood flow, associated with benefits like improved heart and lung function and increased energy levels.
Siddhaa Akshar emphasized the significance of mudras for hair, particularly when practitioners regularly rub the nails of both hands together, as seen in the Balayam Mudra. This practice is believed to increase oxygen and blood flow, positively impacting scalp health. Over an extended period and when performed correctly, it has been known to address a range of conditions, including male pattern baldness (MPB) or androgenic alopecia.
