What is Matsya Mudra?

Matsya Mudra or “Fish Gesture” is one of those multiple yoga gestures whose impact upon the flow of energy in someone’s body is pivotal. This is believed to open up a chest, lungs, facilitate faster breathing, and hence relieve stress.

Matsya Mudra is very easy to perform, and anyone can do it from any place without any special instruments or a large space. One can do it while sitting at one’s desk, meditating or even just resting. It will exert its tranquilizing effect.

How to Practice Matsya Mudra

Sit Comfortably Sit comfortably either by crossing your legs on the floor or sitting straight in a chair with your feet touching the floor. Your back must be straight, not rigid.
Place both your hands on your knees with palms up, facing upwards.
Create the Mudra

Hold the back of your right hand against the palm of your left hand. Your right thumb should be pointing upwards but is not pushing all its weight onto the left palm. Your fingers from your left hand should then wrap over the right hand, cradling it as if it were an infant.

Hold the Pose: Maintain the hand position in this one as you are taking slow, deep breaths. Eyes closed, focus on your breath.

Duration: You may hold this mudra for 5-15 minutes. If it’s a first time doing so, begin with 5 minutes and increase from there as you get accustomed to it.

Benefits of Matsya Mudra

Improves Breathing

Matsya Mudra is one of the strongest yoga asanas that opens the lungs and helps in breathing. It is in the fish pose, believed to expand the chest area, hence making it easier for more deep full breaths. It’s especially useful if you often have trouble catching your breath or commonly find yourself short of breath. It also helps with controlling asthma

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Like many yoga practices, Matsya Mudra helps bring a sense of calm and balance. Holding this mudra for several minutes while focusing on your breathing can reduce stress, tension, and anxiety. It can be especially helpful during moments when you feel overwhelmed.

Helps with Digestion

Yoga practitioners believe that the stimulation of the digestive organs enhances the digestion process. The performance of this mudra helps treat indigestion or bloating as a quick remedy through stimulation of your body’s natural digestive processes.

Energy Boost

Recharge yourself. If you feel slow and low energy, that’s when Matsya Mudra can energize you. Legend has it that if performed daily, it can clear out the flow of prana within your body and make you feel more alert and awake.

Balances Emotions

While in yoga, some mudras have to do with emotional well-being. Matsya Mudra balances your emotions and brings about a general feeling of well-being through raising your mood. That can be quite a lot especially when things get out of hand emotionally.

It supports Heart Health

Since Matsya Mudra opens the chest area it also improves blood flow around the heart. That is often suggested as a component of any yoga practice for the overall well-being of the heart

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FAQs

1. May I practice Matsya Mudra for beginners?
Yes, of course! Matsya Mudra is an easy one and really good for all levels of yoga practitioners, including beginners.

2. How many times a day may I practice Matsya Mudra?
You may practice it each and every day. You may target 5-15 minutes per session, although even a couple of minutes do bring some benefits.

3. Can Matsya Mudra reduce asthma?
Although not a remedy, Matsya Mudra can enlarge the chest and open up breathing, which might thus provide some respite to those afflicted with asthma.

4. Should I sit in any yogic posture while practicing Matsya Mudra?
No, you can do it sitting comfortably on a chair or on the floor. Just ensure your posture is erect and relaxed.