Prithvi Mudra, also known as the Earth Gesture, is a yoga mudra that helps balance the earth element in the body. It is performed by joining the ring finger and thumb, and is believed to support physical strength, stability, and mental calmness.
In both yoga and Ayurveda, the earth element is linked to structure, nourishment, and endurance. When balanced, it contributes to healthy tissues, strong bones, and consistent energy levels. Practising Prithvi Mudra may help with fatigue, weakness, and emotional imbalance.
This guide explains how to do Prithvi Mudra, its benefits, purpose, precautions, and possible side effects, so you can safely include it in your daily yoga or meditation routine.
What is prithvi mudra
In Sanskrit, the word “Mudra” means gesture, and “Prithvi” means earth or the vast one. Prithvi Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture in yoga used to increase the earth element in the body.
This mudra is performed by gently pressing the tip of the ring finger (associated with the earth element) to the tip of the thumb (associated with the fire element), while keeping the other three fingers extended. It is also known as the Earth Mudra.
In yogic practices, such gestures are used to influence the body’s subtle energy through the fingertips. Holding Prithvi Mudra for several minutes during meditation, pranayama, or seated breathing—can support grounding and help maintain internal balance.
The earth element is considered responsible for the body’s structure, such as bones, muscles, skin, and hair. Practising Prithvi Mudra may help in improving physical strength, supporting healthy weight, and maintaining vitality. It can also contribute to better focus, emotional stability, and a sense of steadiness.
Modern lifestyles can disturb this elemental balance, so incorporating Prithvi Mudra regularly may help restore it and promote a more balanced state of body and mind.
How does Prithvi mudra work on body
In yogic philosophy, each fingertip represents one of the five elements earth, water, fire, air, and space. When we form specific hand gestures (mudras), we can influence the balance of these elements in the body.
In Prithvi Mudra, the ring finger (linked to the earth element) touches the thumb (linked to the fire element). This contact is believed to increase the earth element while reducing the fire element. That’s why this mudra is also known as Prithvi Vardhak Mudra (Earth-Increasing Gesture) and Agni Shamak Mudra (Fire-Reducing Gesture).
By increasing the earth element, this mudra may help restore strength in the body and improve the formation of tissues, muscles, bones, teeth, and fat. It can be useful for people who feel physically weak, underweight, or lack stamina.
In Kundalini Yoga, the earth element is connected to the Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra). This chakra is related to stability, survival, and basic life energy. When the root chakra is balanced, you may feel more grounded, secure, and emotionally steady.
Regular practice of Prithvi Mudra is believed to:
- Support healthy body structure
- Enhance self-confidence and endurance
- Reduce anxiety, fear, or insecurity
- Calm emotional disturbances such as anger or low self-worth
By bringing the earth and fire elements into balance, this mudra may help maintain overall energy harmony in the body.
How to do prithvi mudra(steps)
- Sit comfortably in a cross-legged posture like Padmasana or Sukhasana; alternatively, sit on a chair or stand with a straight back if needed.
- Place your hands on your knees with palms facing upward and relax your body.
- Take 4 deep, slow breaths, focusing on your breathing to calm the mind.
- Curl the ring finger and gently touch its tip to the tip of the thumb.
- Keep the other three fingers extended and relaxed.
- Hold the mudra on both hands for about 15 minutes per session.
- Practice 2 to 3 times daily, aiming for a total of 30 to 45 minutes.
- The best time to practise is early morning during Brahma Muhurta (about 1.5 hours before sunrise), but it can be done anytime you feel relaxed.
- Take breaks if your fingers feel tired or tense before continuing.
Time & Duration
- The ideal duration to hold Prithvi Mudra is 30 to 45 minutes daily.
- Practice it 3 times a day, holding the mudra for about 15 minutes in each session.
- The best time to practise is during Brahma Muhurat, about 1.5 hours before sunrise.
- Take breaks whenever your fingers or hands feel tired.
Precautions
- Do not force the index, middle, and little fingers to extend straight; stretch them gently to avoid fatigue.
- Avoid pressing the thumb and ring finger tips too hard against each other to maintain focus and comfort.
- Make sure the thumb and ring finger tips touch over the largest possible surface area for better energy flow.
- Keep your arms and hands relaxed to allow smooth energy circulation during the practice.
Side Effects
- Excessive practice of Prithvi Mudra may cause an imbalance in the fire element because increasing the earth element proportionally reduces fire energy. This can lead to feelings of lethargy, heaviness, or sluggishness.
- Overdoing this mudra might increase physical heaviness or weight gain, which can feel uncomfortable if not balanced with other practices.
- An excess of earth element can sometimes cause constipation, dryness of skin, or stiffness in the body due to its dense and stabilizing qualities.
- If the earth element dominates too much, it might suppress creativity and spontaneity, which are associated with the air and fire elements.
Benefits of prithivi mudra
Prithvi Mudra, or the Earth Gesture, is a yoga hand position that helps balance the earth element in the body. This balance supports physical strength, mental stability, and overall wellbeing. Regular practice of this mudra offers several health benefits, from improving muscle strength and skin health to enhancing mental focus and emotional calmness.
- Builds Muscle and Bone Strength: Prithvi Mudra increases the earth element in the body, which supports the growth and strengthening of muscles and bones. This helps improve overall physical stability and structural health.
- Reduces Hair Fall and Supports Hair Growth: The earth element nourishes the scalp and hair roots. Regular practice of Prithvi Mudra can strengthen hair follicles and reduce hair fall over time.
- Improves Sense of Smell: By balancing the earth element, Prithvi Mudra enhances nasal health and can improve the sense of smell. This makes it useful for managing smell disorders and related nasal issues.
- Assists in Healthy Weight Gain: Increasing the earth element helps in building body mass by supporting the growth of muscles, flesh, and bones. This mudra can aid those looking to gain weight in a healthy way.
- Builds Self-Confidence and Physical Stamina: Prithvi Mudra balances the root chakra, which is linked to feelings of stability and confidence. This grounding effect helps boost physical stamina and mental resilience.
- Supports Healthy Digestion: Practicing Prithvi Mudra helps maintain digestive health by balancing body elements, which can reduce cholesterol levels and promote better digestion.
- Enhances Skin Health: The increase in the earth element from this mudra helps improve skin texture, making it tighter, smoother, and more radiant.
- Reduces Physical Weakness and Fatigue: Regular practice can help overcome feelings of physical weakness and fatigue by increasing the earth element, which supports energy and vitality.
- May Help Manage Thyroid Symptoms: Prithvi Mudra helps maintain optimal body weight, which can positively impact thyroid health. When combined with Ujjayi breathing, it may benefit those with overactive thyroid conditions.
- Improves Mental Stability and Emotional Balance: By balancing the root chakra, Prithvi Mudra fosters a sense of security and mental stability. It helps reduce anxiety, negative thoughts, and emotional unrest.
Who Should Avoid or Use Caution with Prithvi Mudra
Prithvi Mudra is generally safe and does not cause side effects for most people. However, individuals with a Kapha dominant constitution should avoid this mudra because Kapha already has an excess of the earth element. Practicing Prithvi Mudra in such cases may increase body weight and mucus production.
People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should use this mudra cautiously and preferably under the supervision of an experienced yoga teacher, as excessive practice may worsen mucus buildup and disturb Kapha dosha balance.
Pregnant women are advised not to practice Prithvi Mudra, as the body is more sensitive during pregnancy and even small imbalances in elemental energies can affect health.
Conclusion
rithvi Mudra or Earth Mudra is a hand gesture that increases the earth element and balances the fire element in the body. Regular practice supports hair health, helps with healthy weight gain, and strengthens the body’s physical structure.
This mudra helps balance the root chakra, improves stability, and grounds the mind during meditation. To get the full benefits, practice Prithvi Mudra for 30 to 45 minutes daily, either in one session or three sessions of 15 minutes each.
Adding Prithvi Mudra to your daily yoga or meditation practice can improve overall physical and mental health.
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Thank you for this insightful post! I had no idea that Prithvi Mudra could have such a positive impact on my health and well-being. I’m definitely going to incorporate it into my daily routine. Also, I appreciate the precautions you mentioned—it’s essential to practice safely. Looking forward to more informative articles!
Can we do Prithvi mudra in the morning and Agni mudra in the evening .Just to balance , please advise .
Sir, namaste. thank you so much for such a knowledgeable post. Does this Prudhvi mudra helps in increasing the height as well for kids ?
Namaste, height is influenced by genetics, nutrition, and overall health. The Prithvi mudra is indeed associated with balancing the earth element within the body which may indirectly contribute to overall health and so the height. However, its impact on height increase is not firmly established. To support healthy growth in children, maintaining a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and proper sleep are crucial.
My weight is not gaining using Prithvi Mudra. I have also noticed that my weight is loss when I practice prithvi mudra. Is it possible?
kindly reply
While Prithvi Mudra is believed to be associated with grounding and stability, individual responses can vary.
Weight management involves a combination of factors, including diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle. If you’re noticing weight loss while practicing Prithvi Mudra, it might be due to other factors rather than the mudra alone.
For weight gain, you can also consider doing Aditi mudra.
Hi Sir, I want to do Prithvi mudra for stopping hair fall and to get good hair growth but at the same time I dont want to gain weight. So how should I balance it? It is not possible to do Prithvi mudra just for hair and not affecting weight ? Or is there any other mudra that you can suggest which will stop hair fall and grow better hair without weight gain
Hello! Thank you for your comment. If you want to practice Prithvi mudra for hair fall and growth but don’t want to gain weight, you can try practising it for a shorter duration, such as 10-15 minutes a day, and monitor how your body responds to it.
Alternatively, you can try other mudras for hair health which are known to promote hair growth and reduce hair fall, without any known effects on weight gain.
One alternative way is after doing Prithvi mudra, do Surya mudra to balance its weight gain effects.
Dear Ashish!
Sub: Acute Vata Dosha
I am really benefited by doing the Vayu & Prithvi Mudra regarding my Naval Disolacement issue.
Still the blockage of Air, Indigestion & Acid Reflux are quite bothersome & unbearable.
I am 50 years old and has no other health issues. Pse advise.
Begds
Kamal
Kamal if you’re seeking advice in regards to mudra practice, you should add Samana mudra (the one where all fingertips are joined) in your practice. It would be helpful in indigestion and acid reflux as well.
Sir, since Prithvi Mudra balances the earth element, while Aditi Mudra increases the earth element, shouldn’t Aditi Mudra also assist in hair growth and thickness attainment?
Thank you.
Yes certainly, Aditi mudra will assist in hair growth!
Dear Ashish,
I have a question: which of these mudras, Prithvi or Aditi, is better for gaining weight?
In comparison to Prithvi mudra, I would say Aditi Mudra is better to gain weight. The reason is; Prithvi Mudra aims to make optimal use of earth element (which gives us form and weight) while Aditi mudra aims to increase and provide more solidity to the earth element (which implies more body weight).
क्या इसे केवल भूखे पेट ही करना चाहिए या भोजन के उपरांत भी कर सकते है
Yes, one can do Prithvi mudra after eating as well.
I am practicing these days I am experiencing a lot of changes. So, I was trying to get more information. Thank you for sharing the deep information.
In hyperthyroidism, when you lose weight, can this mudra be performed to gain the desired weight?
Yes, Prithvi mudra helps you gain weight.
how many day take it to effective. or visually you can see the effect
A mudra may take 4 to 6 weeks time to show physical effect.
Hi Ashish. Loved this article. You go into great depths to explain the mudra, the purpose, benefits, and side effects. Knowledge that’s so important when one is starting out on the hasta mudra journey.
I wanted to check with you if it’s ok to perform any hasta mudra during pregnancy? Or is it advisable to wait till delivery?
And lastly, is there any mudra that can help women facing infertility issues. I understand that the mudras are not the cure for all ailments, however, even a small uplift to our ongoing battles through simple hand gestures is a welcome medicine.
Hello Appy, one can do linga mudra and yoni mudra in case of infertility issues in women. However, you should be aware (very important), at what time of pregnancy a mudra is suggested. So here are some mudras you should check:
Apana mudra, linga mudra, and yoni mudra.
M underweight plz tell if it is really helpful in gaining weight
Yes, Prithivi mudra is helpful in gaining weight because of its effect on the earth element of the body. An increase in earth element nurtures the body muscles, tendons, and maintain metabolism.
Along with this, you can try Aditi mudra – Place thumb tip at the base of the ring finger and hold it 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day.
me takriban 2 mahine se prithvi mudra ka abhyas kar raha hu isse muje labh bhi mala par merd weight bhi bad gaya 8 dinose mene iska abhyas band kar diya he muje agar dubara iska abhyar karna he to kab se shuru kar sakta hu aur weight bhi na bade iske liye kripaya margdarshan kijiye
Weight gain through Prithvi mudra is very obvious because it increases earth element in the body. To avoid weight gain after this mudra, you should do Surya mudra after its practice for the same duration as Prithvi mudra.
Kya usse weight gain hota h….. Mera h weight bahut jam h plz mujhe suggest kare ki issse weight gain hota h?