Humans are more connected to the universe than we believe, and it all starts with our body and mind. Yoga is a great example, which helps answer most of these existential questions through movement and the asanas.
Here lies the ancient technique of Mudras, commonly used during yoga practices or meditations.
Mudras means “gesture” or “attitude” in Sanskrit, and were utilized by yogis in the past as energy-flowing postures that could connect someone to the Universe. There are many different types of these positions of the hands and fingers, and they all entail a different meaning, which I will explain in this article.
What are mudras in yoga?
Mudras are used in Pranayama during yoga exercises to stimulate the flow of prana (cosmic energy), and each of them has a different relationship or influence with the body, mind and prana.
Each finger represents an element, and it helps restore the balance of the body. The fingers and their elements are:
· Thumb: it represents the element of fire (Agni).
· Middle finger: represents the space (Akash).
· Index finger: represents the air element (Vayu).
· The ring finger: it represents the air (Prithvi).
· Pinky finger: represents the element of water (Jal).
How many mudras are there?
Mudras are a central part of many Hindu and Buddhist rituals, and they are used all around the world. Moreover, there are close to 399 mudras in total. But today we won’t talk about all of them: we will focus our attention on the five most popular mudras.
1. Gyana (Jnana Mudra). This is one of the most known mudra, predominantly used in most yoga and meditation practices and popularized by most media. To create this mudra, you just have to place together the tip of the thumb and the index finger, and leave the other three straighten. The palm must be facing downward, as “we keep the sun’s energy we received during the day”. This mudra is used for concentration and focus.
2. Anjali mudra. This mudra is also called “the salutation” or “praying hands”, and its name comes from anj, which means ‘honour’ or ‘celebrate’. This mudra is often used in yoga along with Namaste at the end of a practice. To perform it, bring both palms together and bow your chin towards the thumb while bringing the back of the head slightly back.
3. Prana mudra or the gesture of life. This mudra is often used when feeling drained or tired, as helps balance our body’s life element. It helps boost vision and overall health, while it activates the energy. To perform it, push down your ring and pinky fingers, and place their tips on the tip of your thumb. Straighten each hand’s other two fingers and keep them apart. Finally, with both palms facing up, let them lie on their knees.
4. Vayu mudra. This is the mudra of air, and it helps to get rid of the excess air from the body to alleviate stress or anxiety. To represent it, just fold the index finger to the base of the thumb then cross your thumb over the index.
5. Agni mudra. This one represents the element of fire, and it helps combat digestion problems. This mudra is also good for adding clarity and boosting your self-esteem. To activate it, just fold your ring finger into your palm and use your thumb over the top of the ring finger.
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