mudra

Mudra

When I started to do Yoga, I thought it was a combination of stretches poses meditation and some very strange words.....so the word mudra was something very alien to me.

As time went on I wanted to know more about Yoga..so that meant getting to know these mudras ...

as these are quite often part of yoga classes.

They are symbolic gestures often practiced with the hands and fingers. A seal

so a hasta mudra means hand gesture and they are adopted during asana (posture), pranayama (prana..meaning fundamental life force and ayama meaning control or extend/draw out).... and meditation.

I find the actual explanation very confusing but hopefully as times goes on it will become clear ..er ! 😉  

A mudra is performed to direct the flow of energy through the body for various purposes 

ie promote healing or calming the mind

Simply put ...It is said that our hands hold each of the basic elements: fire (thumb), air (index finger), space (middle finger), earth (ring finger) and water (pinky finger)

Different areas of the hands are connected with areas in the body and the brain. So when we place our hands in yoga mudras, we stimulate different areas of the brain and create a specific energy circuit in the body. By doing this, we help generate a specific state of mind.

One such Mudra is Guyan Mudra or chin mudra
join the tips of the index finger and thumb to form Guyan Mudra as shown above. keeping the other 3 fingers together and slightly stretched.
It symbolises the unity of fire and air as well as the unity of universal and individual consciousness.

The Gyana mudra increases concentration, creativity, and is a gesture of knowledge. 

They can be performed anytime, although sitting in the lotus/cross legged position and focusing on healing can be advantageous.  As with many mudras  regular practice will contribus te to overall good health. 

The theory ithat when a finger representing am element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance.

Good health 

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