According to the ancient South Asian wisdom of Āyurveda (The Science of Self Healing) and Sāṅkhya Philosophy, which informs Āyurveda and Yoga, everything in the universe is composed of Pañca Mahā Bhūtas (five elements).

Consciousness manifests as energy in these five basic elements, serving as the fundamental building blocks within and around us.

These five elements are:

1. Ākāśa (ether/space) - the property of occupying space
2. Vāyu (air) - representing instability and movement
3. Tejās/Agni (fire) - embodying heat and warmth
4. Jāla/Āpas (water) - indicating fluidity
5. Prithvī (earth) - possessing properties of mass and inertia

It's important to note that this doesn't imply a literal composition of everything in mud, water, flames, etc. Instead, it highlights the qualities of these elements that manifest universally.

As shared in the c̣akra section, these elements correspond to the five primary c̣akra. Additionally, the five elements manifest in the four seasons:

1. Ākāśa + Vāyu in Autumn to Early Winter

2. Jāla/Āpas + Prithvī in Late Winter to Early Spring

3. Jāla/Āpas + Tejās/Agni in Late Spring to Summer

According to Dr. Vasant Lad, a human is described as a microcosm of nature. In South Asian wisdom, the human body comprises the Pañca Mahā Bhūtas interacting to perform bodily functions. Each element manifests in specific ways:

1. Ākāśa (ether) manifests as spaces in various parts of the body, influencing sound and sense of hearing.
2. Vāyu (air) is responsible for movement, evident in muscle, heart, lung, stomach, and nervous system functions. It also manifests in the sense of touch.
3. Tejās/Agni (fire) is linked to metabolism, intelligence, body temperature, digestion, and vision. It manifests as light, heat, and colour, relating to the sense of sight.
4. Jāla/Āpas (water) manifests in digestive secretions, mucus membranes, plasma, and cytoplasm and is essential for bodily functions. It influences the sense of taste.
5. Prithvī (earth) manifests in solid structures like bones, cartilage, muscles, and skin. It is associated with the sense of smell.

Each sense, as well as each element, is connected to its corresponding:

- sense organs: ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose

- organs of action: organs of speech (tongue, vocal cords, mouth), hands, feet, genital, anus

- and the action performed by the organs of action: speech, walking holding, procreation, and excretion.

The five elements also manifest as three principles/humors - Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha - that determine individual constitutions. We observe emotional and mental manifestations of these principles when they are balanced or imbalanced, affecting our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Emotional and Mental Manifestations of Doṣa and Elements within Each Doṣa:

Vāta: Ākāśa (Space) and Vāyu (Air)

- When balanced, one experiences a sense of creativity, tranquillity, high energy, liveliness, enthusiasm, spontaneity, adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to take the initiative.

- When out of balance, one may experience nervousness, fear, anxiety, stress, worry, restlessness, poor memory, agitation, forgetfulness; have an overactive mind; and feel spaced out and overwhelmed.

Pitta: Tejās/Agni (Fire) and Jāla/Āpas (Water)

- When balanced, one experiences fierce intelligence, good memory, a visionary and focused mind, a sense of passion, the ability to be direct and precise, good decision-making skills, decisiveness, friendliness, cooperativeness, collaboration, confidence, perceptiveness, and courage.

- When out of balance, one may experience anger, hatred, a controlling nature, a fiery temper, coerciveness, workaholism, irritability, harshness, competitiveness, perfectionism, aggression, egoism, argumentativeness, and a heightened sense of criticism.

Kapha: Prithvī (Earth) and Jāla/Āpas (Water)

- When balanced, one experiences love, compassion, patience, acceptance, peace, kindness, generosity, stability, diplomacy, calmness, forgiveness, loyalty, steadiness, consistency, strong supportiveness, thoughtfulness, and a sense of pleasure and love for life.

- When out of balance, one may experience overattachment, greed, jealousy, envy, stubbornness, resistance to change, insecurity, grudge-bearing tendencies, materialism, feeling stuck, dullness, inertness, clinginess, overprotectiveness, and complacency.

Understanding how these elements manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally when they are balanced or imbalanced can guide us in choosing the right foods and liquids, deciding on the type of prānāyāma, mantrā, mudrā, āsana practices to incorporate into our daily lives, selecting appropriate body care products and more.

For instance, if one has an excess of Vāta, this might manifest as an overactive mind, fear, anxiety, and stress leading to insomnia. On a physical level, excess Vāta might result in feeling cold, dehydration, poor circulation, dry skin, and fatigue. To support the body, mind, and emotional well-being with an excess of Vāta, one would dress warmly, drink warm water, eat moist warm food, choose restorative and yin yoga practices to reduce anxiety and stress, and opt for mantrā, prānāyāma, and mudrā practices that are grounding, rooting, soothing, and help cultivate a sense of security.

Of course, these are just simple generic examples and explanations.

According to Āyurveda, there is a profound connection between the Pañca Mahā Bhūtas (five elements) and the human hand. Each finger on our hand is the manifestation of one of the elements and corresponds to an organ:

1. Thumb - related to the element of Tejās/Agni (fire) and stomach

2. Index - related to the element of Vāyu (air) and lungs as well as the large intestine

3. Middle finger - related to the element of Ākāśa (ether/space) and heart, small intestine, respiratory as well as circulatory systems

4. Ring finger - related to the element of Prithvī (earth) and liver, gall bladder, as well as the nervous system

5. Little finger - related to the element of Jāla/Āpas (water) and kidneys

Hands are considered vital connections to the systems and organs of our physical body - Anāmaya Kośa. Since each element also manifests in mental and emotional qualities, hands are connected to our subtle body - Manomaya Kośa and Prāṇamaya Kośa.

The way one’s hands are positioned during yogic practices signifies the increase or decrease of a particular element within the physical body, affecting our subtle body, and consequently, our ability to connect with our astral body - Ānandamaya Kośa.

The interpretation of mudrā varies across diverse South Asian traditions.

Abyhāsa invites you to engage in the practice of mudrā, defined as a 'sacred mark, seal, or gesture' when translated from Sanskrit, particularly those practised with the hands – Hasta Mudrā (Hand Gestures).

Here, “mud, means 'please' or 'delight' and dravay, the causal form of dru, 'to draw forth'. It is so defined as its performance is said to give pleasure and satisfaction to the object of reference (with form or formless), which in turn rebound on the practitioner.” (Bihar School of Yoga). "The practice of these gestures and seals channel the flow of prāṇa life force." (Ram Jain, 2021).

But there are also other types of Mudrā such as:
- Māna Mudrā, or Head Gestures.
- Kāya Mudrā, or Body Gestures.
- Ādhāra Mudrā, or Pelvic Gestures.
- Bandhá, or Body Locks.

Because each finger on our hands represents one of the Pañca Mahā Bhūtas (five elements) that manifest in our body, the way each finger is positioned during the Yoga Mudrā practice would have a decreasing or increasing effect on an element in our body.

"In yoga philosophy, it is said that through each finger, runs the prāṇa for each element. By manipulating the prāṇa we can increase or decrease the prana to a specific part of the body. That is why a mudrā is also referred to as a seal. We are sealing or locking the prāṇa for a specific purpose." (Ram Jain, 2021).

To influence elements during practice:
- To Balance an Element: The tip of the corresponding finger is joined together with the tip of the thumb

- To Elevate an Element: Press the ‘Thumb’ at the base of the corresponding finger

- To Pacify an Element: Fold the corresponding finger at the base of the thumb and press the back of the corresponding finger with the thumb (Radical Darshan and NedMeds)

Since each element manifests in physical, mental, and emotional qualities, the effects of Yoga Mudrā practice span the physical, subtle, and astral levels.

"When the Yoga Mudras are done in conjunction with the various yoga āsana, prānāyāma techniques or meditation practices, a sort of link is developed with the patterns in the brain that influences the subconscious reflexes in the different areas. This connection balances the internal energy i.e. ‘Prana’ and regulates their flow, into the various channels within the body, creating an impact on the sensory organs, tendons, glands and veins, thereby banishing different forms of health anomalies"

Mudrās also play a role in balancing the seven primary C̣akra and Doṣa, with each C̣akra corresponding to an element and influencing individuals at psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual levels. The seven corresponding mudrās for each C̣akra are detailed in the 'C̣akra' section.

"Any mudra or gesture takes about 30 seconds to get triggered to create the electromagnetic circuit within the body that allows the passage of energy. It should at least be held for 2 minutes or as long as possible... These mudras can be done anywhere, be it home, office, or while waiting somewhere." (Radical Darshan and NedMeds)

During the meditation, one can place their mind’s focus on Mudrā. This way of practice helps cultivate a concentrated and focused mind that supports one in individual and collective liberation from five Kleśa (poisons). These Kleśa are the causes of our suffering: ignorance, egoism or I-am-ness, attachment, aversion, and fear of death.

During each meditation through Abyhāsa, you will be offered three different Mudrā to choose from, supporting your prānāyāma and chanting practice. However, you are welcome to hold a different Mudrā or have your hands and fingers placed where it feels right for your physical, mental, and emotional body at that moment.

All information on mudrā was taken from the lecture with Kallie Schut received in 2022 during the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training focused on Intersectional Equity, Social Justice and Anti-Oppression by Radical Darshan.

Some additional quotes and other information used in this section have been taken from the following sources:

- “All About Kaya Mudras, Body Gestures in Yoga” by Vineet Kaul and Sonja Junková

- “Complete Guide to Mudras: Benefits and Use in Yoga, Meditation & Chakra Balancing” by Ram Jain

- Advanced 300h Yoga Teacher Training focused on Intersectional Equity, Social Justice and Anti-Oppression by Radical Darshan attended in 2022/2023

- “Mudras and States of Awareness” by Bihar School of Yoga

- NetMeds