Whatever you do in life, yoga shows you how to do it better.
~Chuck Miller
The very nature of mudras is repose, silence, and peace. Most health disorders, whether on the physical or mental-emotional level, develop from a lack of inner and outer repose.
~Gertrud Hirschi
Physical ailments are a result of the disturbance in the equilibrium of the five elemental forces of the body. Appropriate mudras can help restore proper balance.
~Acharya Vikrmaditya
Without intention, all the postures, breathing practices, meditation, and the like can become little more than ineffectual gestures. When animated by intention, however, the simplest movement, the briefest meditation, and the contents of one breath cycle are made potent.
~Donna Farhi
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Meditation Mudras
Thumb: Solar Plexus Chakra
- Element — Agni (Fire): will power, decision-making, transformation
- Organs — stomach
- Mental-Emotional States — worry, confidence
Index Finger: Heart Chakra
- Element — Varun (Air): breathing, presence, nourishment, healing
- Organs — lungs, large intestine
- Mental-Emotional States — depression, sadness, joy, love
Middle Finger: Throat Chakra
- Element — Akash (Ether): space, emptiness, communication, full potential
- Organs — heart, lungs, intestines, circulatory and respiratory systems
- Mental-Emotional States — patience, hastiness
Ring Finger: Root Chakra
- Element — Prithivi (Earth): growth, new beginning, stamina, activity
- Organs — liver, gall bladder, nervous system
- Mental-Emotional States — anger, stability
Little Finger: Sacral Chakra
- Element — Jal (Water): adaptability, change, reposes, energy storage
- Organs — kidneys, sexual organs
- Mental-Emotional States — fear, passion, sensuality
"Mudra" simply means hand and finger postures. Like yogic body postures, it is also a discipline to rejuvenate the body by
balancing the five elements (fire, water, air, ether, earth) to their optimal
levels. When the elements are balanced, the yoga (unison) of mind, body and soul can be achieved.
Mudras are used in conjunction with Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) to stimulate different parts of the body and to affect the flow of prana.
There are innumerable mudras and each has a specific effect. The following are very effective and simple hand mudras to maintain health and wellness.
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Prithivi Mudra
- grounding
- inner stability
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Dhyani Mudra
- empty mind
- full being
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Lotus Mudra
- opens heart
- able to receive
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Inner Self Mudra
- devotion to the Divine
- hold at 3rd eye
- chant ohm
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Naga Mudra
- deep insight
- solving issues
- clears obstacles
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Shankh Mudra
- all throat issues
- hold at sternum
- chant ahh-ohm
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Apan Mudra
- eliminates toxins
- balances mind
- boosts confidence
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Dharmachakra Mudra
- letting go of deep patterns
- surrendering to eternal change
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Pushpaputa Mudra
- open to receive
- acceptance of life's blessings
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Vayu Mudra
- eliminates flatulence
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Jnana Mudra
- clears & stabilizes the mind
- aids concentration
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Garuda Mudra
- stimulates blood circulation
- alleviates exhaustion
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Ksepana Mudra
- releases negative energy & tension
- aids in letting go
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Kalesvara Mudra
- helps shift addictive behaviour, core beliefs & unwanted character traits
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Mantangi Mudra
- inner harmony
- excellent for belly breathing
- relieves body pain & jaw tension
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Uttarabodhi Mudra
- energizes & refreshes the body
- hold at solar plexus
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