Types of Mudras or postures are practiced by people from time immemorial throughout the world. There are different types of Mudras that can be practiced at any place and at any time. The Mudras enable the Chakra energy and mood whilst lifting the inner self. The various types of mudras are utilized at three different levels.

Types of Mudras
There are different types of mudras such as hand mudras, eye mudras, kaya mudras, etc. which allows one to balance mind and body and release energy. There are mudras related to Mana, Kaya, Dhyana etc. All the mudras support further development of the self.

Kaya Mudra
Kaya mudras are very much similar to asana, but mend the other types of simple mudras with Pranayama and concentration. These are the most complicated types of mudras and involve greater concentration and focus to hold. Kaya mudras strengthen the Prana in the body and direct the prana into particular chakras which are considered as energy centres.

Hasta Mudras
Hasta (hand) mudras encompass the involvement of hands and are used primarily in meditation, but can also be incorporated in asana and types of pranayama as well as in daily activities. Hasta mudras channel the prana into a new direction. These mudras are the most common of the categories of mudras. Amongst the various types of mudras, `Om Mudra` is one of the most well known Mudras. This type of mudra is practiced with the help of the thumb and the index finger. This Mudra is really helpful in attaining peace and tranquillity in life. Another important mudra is the Smiling Buddha Mudra. This mudra has been made world famous in paintings and statues. This is considered as an exercise and sign of happiness. It opens the flow of energy towards the heart. Be it any other emotions like anger, depression, fights, anger, fear, worry, impatience and others, this Mudra can be done almost anywhere. Ganesh Mudra, another vital type of mudra, helps to reinforce the heart muscles and open the bronchial tubes and release tension. It also opens the fourth chakra and improves confidence in the practitioner. Hakini Mudra is another significant type that engages hand especially fingers. This mudra, if practiced daily can be beneficial for the brain. For the respiratory problems, Bronchial and Asthma Mudras are considered as very helpful. It can be done for few minutes one after another until one`s breathing calms down.

Mana Mudra
Mana mudras utilize the sense organs of the ears, nose, eyes, tongue and lips. These types of mudras need concentration and focus on internal consciousness at the same time as elevating the cognizance. Contraction mudras or the dhyana mudras involve the engagement of subtle skeletal muscles, mostly in the area of the pelvis. These types of mudras centralize the prana in the body and prime the energy channels for the awakening of Kundalini Shakti.

Shankh Mudra
Another most considered mudra is the Shankh Mudra which is very good for problems associated with the throat. In this type of mudra, the holding and positioning of the fingers create and bear a resemblance to a conch shell. The conch gesture or Shankh mudra is extremely valuable as it helps to alleviate and reduce any bodily inflammation. It also helps restore calm and rids the mind of any anxiety or tension that you suffer from. Amongst the diverse types of mudras the Surabhi Mudra is comparatively a bit complex and it almost resembles a puppet player`s fingers in act. This mudra is supposed to be curative of all stomach problems, removes bodily impurity and helps to balance the five main substances or tattvas in human body. It is supposed to be a helpful tool against rheumatism. Apan Vayu Mudra supports the holistic treatment and helps to assuage diseases like arthritis. The Prithvi Mudra activates the root chakra, which houses the vital energy or elemental force of human entity. A sound vital energy optimizes the material potential in a person who is then in a position to actualize both his physical and metaphysical goals.

Pran Mudra
Apart from these different types of mudras, the Pran Mudra is indeed another important type, which activates the root chakra and increases vitality of `Prana`. The Linga Mudra promotes the body`s immune system and loosens the mucous that has been collected in the lungs and it is believed to make the body more resistant to colds and chest infections. This mudra is considered to be helpful in reducing weight. Apan Mudra is regarded one of the important types of mudra and is also referred to be the energy mudra. This mudra helps to remove the toxins stagnant in the body. This mudra balances the mind, soul and body and also controls the inner balance and confidence.

Varuna Mudra and Bhuda Mudra
Further, practice of this mudra promotes to the improvement of spiritual power and leads to inner peace. Varuna Mudra & Bhuda Mudra is reckoned as an important type of Mudra. Varuna is the connotation of water. This mudra balances the water component of the human body. This mudra includes touching the tip of little finger with the tip of thumb while the other fingers are kept upright. This mudra works as an effectual tool for getting rid of excessive mucous that gathers in the lungs or stomach. Apart from these Bhudi Mudra, Apan Vayu Mudra, Kubera Mudra, Kundalini Mudra, Back Mudra, Gyan Mudra, Namaste & Anjali Mudra and the Surya mudra are some of the important types of mudras.

Various types of Mudras are used in Hindu as well as Buddhist iconography. It is also used in Nritya Sashtra and Natyasashtra. Also in meditation various mudras of the body are used.