A Quick Guide to Mudras

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

A Quick Guide To Mudras

Posted by Dorothy under Natural Highs, Philosophy, Wellness 1 comment

Mudra is a spiritual or symbolic gesture which helps manipulate prana or energies in our physical body (anamaya kosha), mental body (manomaya kosha) and pranic body (pranamaya kosha). Mudra can also be translated as a seal, or circuit by pass as it helps to create barriers within the body and direct the energy within. These energies, if not manipulated with the intention to retain them within the body will otherwise escape from the body. In scientific terms, mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health.

There are generally 5 types of mudras: a) Hasta / Hand

Prana emitted by the hands are redirected into the body with this mudra b) Mana / Head

These mudras are important in kundalini yoga and some are meditation techniques as the utilise the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and lips

c) Kaya / Postural

Kaya mudras are commonly practised during asanas, with concentration of breath in mind. d) Bandha / Lock

This is a combination of mudra and bandha e) Adhara / Perineal

These mudras are usually used to redirect prana from the lower centres of the body to the brain, aiding also in sexual energies.

Most mudras can be done as a combination with asanas and pranayamas or just by itself.

In this posting, the focus will be on hasta / hand mudras as it is the most commonly used gesture. There will be 8 types of

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1/3/2015 A Quick Guide To Mudras « Langkawi Yoga Blog

2) Chinmaya Mudra

-join the tips of the thumb and index fingers together, middle, ring and index fingers to fold towards the palm then keep the elbows close to the body

-prana flows above navel to the throat

3) Adhi/Tse Mudra

-fold thumb towards the palm, then fold all the other fingers to the palm with the thumb under them -prana flows from the throat to head

4) Merhu danda Mudra

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-generates prana flow in the spinal column

5) Brahma/Poorna Mudra -fingers like in adhi/tse mudra

-palm to face up to the sky, knuckles together, gently press towards the lower abdomen -helps generate prana to the entire body

-helps in fatigue

6) Panchabutha/5 Elements Mudra Our physical body is made up of 5 elements: -thumb=fire -index=air -middle=space -ring=ether -little=water a) Prithvi/Earth Mudra

-join the tips of the ring and thumb fingers together, extend the other fingers -the earth element represent the solid contents in our body ie: musculoskeletal -this mudra helps strengthen the earth element

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b) Agni/Fire/Surya Mudra

-fold the ring finger towards the palm, fold the thumb on the ring finger, the other fingers to stay together and extended -helps increase heat in the body

-can be of help with indigestion, obesity and hyperthyroid

c) Vayu/Air Mudra

-fold the tip of the index finger to the base of the thumb, keep the thumb on the index finger while extending the other fingers, keeping them together

-helps to regulate air in the body and encourages movement -can be of help with gastric, stiff joints, athritis

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d) Jala/Water Mudra

-join the tips of the little finger and thumb, extend the other fingers, keeping them together -maintains moisturisation in the body

-helps with dehyration, hormonal imbalances, urinary problems, sweating problems, increased or decreased production of mucus

e) Akash/Space/Shunya Mudra

-join the tips of the middle finger and thumb, extend the other fingers

-akash mudra is more effective when practised with shunya mudra (fold the tip of the middle finger to the palm, then place thumb on the middle finger, extend the other fingers, keeping the ring and little figners together)

-helps with ear,nose and throat problems or any sicknesses caused by any imbalance to the ear, nose and throat ie vertigo and travel sickness

7) Prana Mudras

Our body consists of 5 koshas and one of it is called the pranayama kosha. Pranayama kosha is also composed of 5 pranas. Each of the 5 pranas can be activated with mudras.

a) Prana aka Bhu Mudra

-join the tips of the thumb, ring and little fingers together, extend the others -benefits the respiratory and cardio system

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b) Apana Mudra

-join the tips of the thumb, ring and middle fingers together -benefits the excretory system

c) Samana Mudra -join the tips of all fingers -benefits the digestive system

d) Udana Mudra

-join the tips of all fingers except the second finger to be extended -benefits the upper chest and throat area

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e) Vyana Mudra

-join the tips of the thumb, index and middle fingers, extend the others -balances the entire body

Chakra Balancing Mudras

a) Mooladhara Chakra-Bhu Mudra

-R hand: join the tips of the thumb, ring and little fingers together, placing the tips of the index and middle fingers to the ground

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b) Swadhisthana Chakra-Yoni Miudra

-interlock the 3rd – 5th fingers, join the tips of the thumb and little finger together -place it at your swadhisthana chakra

c) Manipura Chakra-Matangi Mudra

-interlock all fingers except the 3rd finger to be stretched out -place it at your manipura chakra

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d) Anahata Chakra-Kamala Mudra

-form fingers like a lotus petal joining tips of thumb and little finger

-Place slightly on the right side of the heart as the heart is a sensitive organ

e) Visshudha Chakra-Shunya Mudra/Akash Mudra - refer to #6(e)

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g) Sahasrara Chakra-Hakini Mudra

-join all the tips of the right fingers and the left then spread them - place at manipura chakra

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Comments (1)

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Donna

I found this really interesting – thanks for sharing! Add New Comment

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