Hand Mudras are tools for the Awakening. In Sanskrit, mudra means a closure, a stamp. This refers to the positions of fingers, hands and arms, which activate vibrational-energetic processes in man. Most texts offer descriptions of mudras that have developed from the basic ones. Here, it is the very basic ones. It is the very basic ones we wish to clarify. Apart from naming, describing and illustrating each of them individually, we have also offered a brief explanation of their actual effects.
Mandala Mudra
The yoga gesture of wholeness.
It’s wonderful for balancing the mind and emotions, and especially helpful in emotional challenges and bringing greater clarity.
This Hand Mudra stimulates the five elements, allowing your energy to move freely through the subtle channels called Nadi and Chakras.
The thumb represents fire, the index finger air, the middle finger sky or ether, the ring finger is earth and the little finger is water.
- sit in a comfortable posture, on the floor or in a chair
- place your right hand on top of the left hand, touching the tips of the thumbs together
- rest your hands comfortably in your lap
- close your eyes and breathe naturally
- sit quietly for about five minutes and allow a sense of wholeness to embrace you
Ganesha Mudra
The yoga gesture for removing obstacles.
These Hand Mudras activate the Fire Element. Helps to strengthen everything to do with the heart, giving us self-confidence and courage.
- sit or stand with your spine straight
- position your left hand in front of the Heart Chakra, palm facing away from the chest
- bend the fingers
- take your right hand, palm facing toward the chest, grasp the left hand at the fingers
- the fingers of both hands are now interlocked together
- exhale, tighten your grip and strongly pull your hands apart without releasing
- inhale, relax your grip
- repeat these steps at least five times
- when complete, release your hands, open the palms, place them onto your Heart Chakra
- repeat the whole sequence but reverse the hands.
- Variation: Repeat from step one, instead of having your forearms horizontal, position them diagonal: one elbow going upward at a slant, the other elbow going downward at a slant
Prana Mudra
The yoga gesture for vitality.
Reduces fatigue and nervousness. Enhances the functioning of both hemispheres of the brain, and helps vision. Along with slow and gentle breathing, gives stability and calmness.
- on each hand, place the thumb on the tips of the fourth and fifth fingers together
- Or — place the thumb on top of the fourth and fifth finger nails
- keep the other fingers straight and extended
- with steady breathing, hold for at least five minutes
Apana Mudra
The yoga gesture for life energy.
This Hand Mudra aids in the removal of toxins and wastes from your body. Because it stimulates the Wood Element, Liver and Gall Bladder are brought into balance, giving us inner balance, patience, and harmony.
- on each hand, place the thumb on the tips of the third and fourth finger tips
- keep the other fingers straight and extended
- hold this hand mudra for five to fifteen minutes
Shankh Mudra
The yoga gesture symbolizing your inner temple.
This Hand Mudra looks like a conch shell that is blown in the mornings to announce the opening of the temple.
- grip your left thumb with your right hand, encircling the left thumb with your fingers
- straighten and extend your fingers of the left hand
- place your right thumb onto the extended third finger
- position the conch shell at the Heart Chakra or Throat Chakra
- chant OM for a couple of minutes, listening and being aware of its vibrations
- Or — chant The Sun Mantra, Surya mantra.
The Surya mantra is the mantra used for harmonizing and influencing The Sun. This power sun mantra will also naturally energize the cosmic sound vibrations of all other planets through The Sun.
Each planet also has its own mantra. This is one of the direct ways to energize and balance the planets with ourselves.
When repeating planetary mantras, such as Surya mantra, it must be done with the highest intention, awareness, and concentration.
GYAN MUDRA
The thumb and the index finger are brought together in gentle contact, not pressing hard, while all other fingers are kept upright. This is the mudra most people are familiar with.
Great thinkers such as Buddha, Mahavir, Christ and Guru Nanak are generally depicted in this pose. Its practice ensures mental peace, concentration, sharp memory and spiritual feelings.
It cures insomnia and mental disorders, and dissipates tension, depression and drowsiness. This is a must for those who aspire to develop telepathy or wish to acquire extrasensory abilities.
APAN VAYU MUDRA
(Also known as Mritsanjeevini Mudra)
Fold the forefinger down and touch the mound of the thumb. The little finger should be held erect.
It regulates complications of the heart. In a severe heart attack, if administered as a first aid measure within the first two seconds, it provides instant relief.
PRAN MUDRA
Touch the points of the little finger and the ring finger to the tip of the thumb lightly.
This is a life-giving mudra, it energizes the body and improves its vitality.
It helps to improve eyesight. A must for those who feel nervous, tired and weak.
SURABHI MUDRA
Join the little finger of one hand with the ring finger of the other and vice versa. Similarly, join the forefinger with the middle finger of the other hand and vice versa. Leave the thumbs free.
This controls rheumatic inflammation and sharpens your intellect.
APAN MUDRA
Join the middle finger and the ring finger with the tip of the thumb; the forefinger and the little finger should be held upright.
Provides relief in urinary problems and eases difficulty in labor and delivery. It facilitates the discharge of waste matter from the body and purifies the system.
LINGA MUDRA
Join both the palms and lock the facing fingers together, keeping one thumb upright. The upright thumb must be encircled by the other thumb and the index finger.
Makes the body resistant to colds, coughs and chest infections by generating heat in the body, and destroying accumulated phlegm in the chest.
It helps in weight reduction too, but has to be practiced with restraint.
The intake of at least eight glasses of water, and butter and ghee (clarified butter) as cooling agents in sufficient quantities is a must.
Due to the heat it generates, it may not be possible to practice this mudra with as much ease and flexibility as the other mudras. It might prove taxing and result in a feeling of lethargy.
SHUNYA MUDRA
Bring the middle finger down to touch the palm and bring the padding of the thumb on top of it, keeping the other fingers straight up.
Do this for 40 minutes a day.
This mudra is ideal for ailments of the ear, and also helps those of the nose and the throat.
Even five minutes of this mudra will help an earache.
VARUNA MUDRA
A bit like the Gyan Mudra.
Touch the tip of the little finger with the tip of the thumb while the other fingers are kept upright.
Regular practice ensures an optimum level of water in the body and heals all ailments connected with dehydration.
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