Surya Mudra, also known as the Sun Gesture, is a powerful yogic hand gesture used to stimulate the body’s internal heat and energy. Rooted in ancient Ayurvedic and yogic practices, this mudra is especially beneficial for boosting metabolism, supporting weight management, and enhancing overall vitality. By activating the fire element (Agni) within the body, Surya Mudra helps regulate digestion and balance the Kapha dosha, making it a popular choice among practitioners seeking improved energy levels and physical well-being.
Often recommended during morning practice, this mudra can be easily incorporated into meditation, pranayama, or daily yoga routines. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve digestion, or energise your system, Surya Mudra offers a simple yet effective way to support your body’s natural functions.
Also read: Which Mudra Is Best For Weight Loss?
Surya mudra meaning
Surya means “sun” in Sanskrit, and mudra translates to “hand gesture” or “seal.” Hence, Surya Mudra literally means “Sun Hand Gesture.” In yogic tradition, this gesture symbolises the awakening and strengthening of the fire element (Agni) within the body just as the sun fuels life on Earth with its radiant energy.
Surya Mudra is performed by gently pressing the ring finger (associated with the earth element) under the thumb (representing the fire element). This action is believed to decrease the earth element (Prithvi Tattva) and increase the fire element, promoting internal heat, energy, and transformation.
In Ayurveda, the fire element governs metabolism, digestion, and vitality. By balancing this element, Surya Mudra helps ignite the inner fire, encouraging better digestion, enhanced metabolism, and a more energised state of being.
Surya mudra is also known as;
- Agni mudra
- Agni Vardhak mudra
- Prithvi Shamak Mudra
- Weight loss mudra
Since the fire element is known as Agni in Sanskrit, Surya Mudra is also referred to as Agni Mudra, meaning the “gesture of fire.” Because it enhances this inner fire, it’s traditionally called Agni Vardhak Mudra, or the “fire-enhancing gesture.”
Another name for Surya Mudra is Prithvi Shamak Mudra, which means “earth element reducing gesture.” This is because placing the thumb (representing fire) over the ring finger (associated with the earth element) helps reduce the dominance of the Prithvi Tattva (earth element) in the body, promoting balance.
By stimulating the fire element, Surya Mudra helps boost metabolism, improve digestion, support weight loss, and encourage a steady flow of energy. It is especially beneficial for those who feel sluggish, lethargic, or lack motivation, as it acts as a natural energy catalyst and revitaliser
Also read: What Happens When Fire Element Gets Imbalanced in Body?
Benefits of surya mudra
Surya Mudra provides various health benefits, both for the body and mind, with weight loss being one of its most effective advantages.
Surya Mudra helps with weight loss by balancing the body’s elements and boosting metabolism. When you practice this mudra, pressing the thumb against the base of the ring finger reduces the earth element, which is linked to body heaviness and fat accumulation. At the same time, it increases the fire element (Agni), which activates digestive fire and speeds up metabolism. A faster metabolism means your body burns calories more efficiently, even at rest. This combination helps reduce excess fat and supports natural weight loss without extra exercise.
Also read: Does Meditation Help You Lose Weight?
Since surya mudra increases the fire element, it also helps in countering many issues related to digestion, eyes, and overall health.
Let us have a look at some of the benefits:
- Stimulates the digestive system. Surya mudra creates fire in the body. Since fire transforms food into energy, practising surya mudra stimulates the digestion process and metabolism.
- Reduces stomach problems. Surya mudra enhances metabolic function which reduced problems of indigestion, constipation, or acidity.
- Keeps the heart healthy. Surya mudra reduces the chances of heart attack or stroke by lowering bad cholesterol levels. It does so by boosting the overall metabolism of the body.
- Aid in delaying onset of diabetes. Surya mudra helps tackle diabetes. It produces internal body heat, which aids in the production of new insulin by the pancreas gland.
- Maintains body temperature. During winters surya mudra can help you maintain body temperature and prevent shivering, dry skin, sore throat, common cold, joint pain, etc.
- Improves vision. Surya mudra is good to improve eyesight. It works on alochaka agni or alochaka pitta, which is related to vision and perception, hence helping in improving the blur vision of the eyes and issues like leucoma.
- Reduce swelling. Practising surya mudra regularly is effective in reducing water retention, excess swelling, and weight loss after pregnancy.
- Stimulates the thyroid gland. The base of the thumb is the pressure point for the thyroid gland thus the ring finger placement in surya mudra helps stimulate and manage the function of the thyroid gland.
- Provides renewed energy and vigor. Surya mudra is very useful in countering laziness and lethargy. It boosts the energy level by activating the fire element in the body.
- Promotes better mental health. Practising surya mudra regularly keeps the mind sharp, focused and makes it more intuitive. Surya mudra energizes our life by strengthening our determination, which aids in the elimination of sluggishness, mental fogginess, and depression.
By reducing the earth element, surya mudra also aids in eliminating the problem of restless sleep or insomnia. Regular practice can also help in regaining your appetite or fight ailments like Anorexia.
Steps to perform surya mudra
- Sit comfortably in lotus pose (padmasana) or easy pose (sukhasana). Make sure your back is straight and your head aligned with the spine.
- Close your eyes and place your hands on your knees with palms up.
- Fold your ring finger so that the fingertip almost touches the base of the thumb. Place your thumb on the folded ring finger. Keep the rest of the fingers comfortably straight.
- Keep moderate pressure on the ring finger to increase the fire element but try not to overdo it.
- Hold the mudra for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Separate your fingers gently after your session is over but do not get up immediately.
- Stay seated for a couple of minutes, with eyes closed, and slowly get aware of your surroundings.
Additional Tips
- As surya mudra increases the fire element, you can practice this mudra for longer durations during winters to generate internal heat.
- Hydrate yourself before practising the mudra or keep a water bottle with you.
- Practising prana mudra after surya mudra will enhance its effects.
- If you’re experiencing excessive heat in the body after surya mudra practice, do Varun mudra to counter the heat effects.
Time & duration
You can practise Surya Mudra for a minimum of 10 minutes and up to 45 minutes per day. Ideally, perform it in the morning and evening, either in one sitting or by dividing the time into 10–15 minute sessions done two to three times a day.
If you’re a beginner, start with shorter durations, such as 5 to 10 minutes, and gradually increase the time as your comfort and energy levels improve.
When can surya mudra be practised?
The ideal time to practice surya mudra is during sunrise as you can tap into the sun’s energy. Thus the time between 4 to 6 am is perfect.
If you’re practising it any other time of the day it is advisable to not overdo surya mudra as it can increase fire element excessively. Once should stop practising surya mudra once the desired result is achieved.
During summers, try to practice surya mudra during colder times of the day such as early morning or evening to counter the effect of the rising heat.
To increase metabolism and better digestion after having heavy meals, it is beneficial to do surya mudra a few minutes before a meal. If you want to practice it after a meal, give a gap of at least one hour. It can also be performed while standing or walking.
Precautions
- Avoid practicing Surya Mudra during fever, hyperthermia, flu, or any condition that raises body temperature.
- Not recommended for individuals who are underweight.
- Should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Refrain from practicing when feeling physically fatigued or overly tired.
- People with high Pitta dosha or low Kapha dosha should be cautious or avoid this mudra.
- Avoid practice if experiencing acidity, dizziness, headaches, dry skin, or piles.
- During summer, practice Surya Mudra in a well-ventilated or open space to prevent excessive heat buildup.
- It is advisable to drink a glass of water before performing the mudra to stay hydrated
Surya mudra side effects
- Increased body heat or excessive sweating
- Mild dehydration if water intake is insufficient
- Possible aggravation of skin inflammation, ulcers, or heat-related conditions
- Restlessness, nervousness, or irritability in some individuals
- Not recommended during fever or very hot weather without caution
Also read: Mudras for Balancing Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha
Conclusion
Surya Mudra can be performed by anyone, regardless of their age or level of yoga experience. This mudra awakens the body’s fire energy and assists you to re-establish the fire balance. The mudras enable the fingers to make links, allowing energy to flow more freely throughout the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. It is advisable that you do not perform surya mudra during periods. Since it raises body temperature, an increase in internal heat can be detrimental when the body is already sensitive to hormonal changes.
A. Some practitioners may feel slight discomfort in their abdomen when they overdo surya mudra. This may cause excessive heat generation which can hamper the abdominal organs and their functioning.
Other side effects may include lesions or rashes on the skin, boils, excessive sweating during practice, dizziness, headaches, etc. To avoid these issues, always start with a lesser hold time, maybe 5-10 minutes. Once your body gets accustomed, increase the time to 20 minutes in one sitting.
A. Surya mudra in itself doesn’t cause hair loss. However, if you already have a Kapha imbalance, surya mudra further reduces the earth element which may cause hair loss.
A. Yes, surya mudra is good for lowering high blood pressure. It reduces cholesterol from the veins hence reducing the risk of heart problems.
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