Mudras are signs with deep meaning performed by the body in order to produce certain results. The word Mudra derives from the Sanskrit language and means seal or sign.

Mudras are various in the yogic tradition. They can be done by the hands, the mouth, the tongue, the eyes or the whole body.

Physiological effects of Mudras

Every Mudra applies some pressure in a certain region of the body. For example, on fingers in hand Mudras. This activates specific reflex zones and the nervous system reacts to the external trigger by answering with physiological reactions. Thus, Mudras influence

• Breathing
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Activity of glands
• Hormone rates in the blood

HOW TO PERFORM MUDRAS

Mudras in the hands are applied as certain parts touch others. Sometimes fingertips, sometimes sides of fingers or joints. The touch of your fingers should be like the touch of a cat´s pow when they do the milk step. It´s a gentle yet sensible touch. No strong pressure is applied, make sure your fingernails don´t get white with the pressure.

Let´s take a look at three powerful Mudras to calm the mind in more detail

CHIN MUDRA, GYAN MUDRA

The first Mudra we introduce here is the well-known symbol for Yoga and any meditative practice. You can see it in many pictures where people sit for. Meditation and want to enhance their practice with the help of that hand sign.

HOW

In Chin Mudra, you put the fingertips of your index and your thumb together on each hand. Thus, the index and thumb form a circle. The rest of the fingers remain straight.

Try to keep the arms relaxed and straight. Do not apply muscle tension so you don´t squeeze the fine energy channels, the Nadis.

MEANING

Chin Mudra is the sign for Yoga. A sign of unity. The personal and the cosmic soul unite, which is the goal of yogic practice. The index symbolizes the personal soul, as the thumb symbolizes the cosmic consciousness. Consequently, the Chin or Gyan Mudra is the Mudra of consciousness.

Effects of Gyan Mudra

As the name says already, Gyan Mudra is to expand your consciousness and reach unity with God. It has very strong effects on the mind. So, it can be used therapeutically against

• Sleep deprivation
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Anger
• Mental distress
• Digestive disorders
• The flows of life energy through your body
• Rejuvenating processes
• Detoxification of body tissues
• Sense of balance

HAKINI MUDRA

Hakini Mudra is the Mudra for the god of the forehead. It relates to the VI Chakra, our third-eye center.

HOW

You place all your fingertips with stretched fingers together. Thumb touching the thumb, index touching the index and so on. The fingers remain separate, only the fingertips touch. You can hold it in front of your belly or just let the hands sink down.

MEANING

Hakini is a Sanskrit term and means power. As the Mudra for the God of the forehead, it relates to our mental functions and has a strong effect on our minds. Through the Nadis and Meridians in our fingers, we send information to our central nervous system, our brain. Physiological effects create specific outputs we can feel and realize in our thinking patterns and emotions. It´s also called the mind Mudra.

Effects of Hakini Mudra

Hakini Mudra is one of the most studied Mudras and is often used in a therapeutic setting. It helps against

• Depression
• Hair loss
• Loss of memory
• Nervousness
• Lack of concentration

It improves

• The connection between the hemispheres
• Memory
• Focus
• Respiration
• Energy flow in the lunges
• Energy flow to the brain
• Intuition

PRANA MUDRA

Prana Mudra is the Mudra of life. Often the sign is placed on different parts of the body to promote the energy to flow there. It has grounding properties and helps us find our roots, our foundation again.

HOW

To perform Pran Mudra you bring your thumb, ring finger and pinkie together. Let the fingertips touch and apply soft pressure. A variation is to put the onto the fingernails of the other two fingers. Index and middle finger remain straight.

MEANING

As the Mudra of life Pran Mudra relates to Prana. Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning life energy or life force. In other traditions, it is called Chi or Qi, the vital force in every living being. It is the Mudra of vitality.

Effects of Prana Mudra

Pran Mudra is very effective when we are dispersed and need to find our balance, our foundation again. Because of its tremendous power they also call it healing Mudra.  It helps against

• Nervousness
• Fatigue
• Eye problems
• Sleeping disorders
• Lethargy
• Confusion

It improves

• Clarity
• Immune functions
• Blood circulation
• Confidence
• Motivation
• Body-mind connection
• Vision
• Inner stability

Feel free to find out more about the power of Mudras and how to apply them in our Training in India, Nepal and Europe.