Definition of a Mudra
Mudra is a term stemming from the Sanskrit word Mu means ‘delight’ and Ra means ‘produce’. The literal meaning of Mudra is ‘seal’, ‘gesture’ or ‘mark’. Gestures made by body parts like hand, face, finger or other body organs that represent some specific energy lies within the body.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, Mudras are one which gives happiness to the divine being and trouble to the demonic beings. Therefore, Mudras maintain sound health and remove diseased energy.
On a spiritual level, performing a certain Mudra is an outer representation of one’s inner intentions.
Use of Mudra in India
In India there are three levels at which the Mudras are applied:
- In classical dance forms such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Kathakali, Mudras act as fully meaningful gestures to convey bhavas and rasas.
- In Hindu, Buddhist and Jain ritualistic worship and prayer, Nyasa and Mudras are used meaningfully in various rites.
- In Yoga and Tantras, Mudras are used with the most evolutionary knowledge available to the flow of energy in the tissues, nerve channels, organs of the body as well as their correlations to higher flows of Prana in the subtle and physical body.
The history behind a Mudra
Within the ancient times, these Mudras are taught to the aspirants by the great saints and yogis who had thoroughly experienced the use of Mudras in the advanced practices of yoga.
The knowledge of Mudra was a secret considered to be under the regime of higher yoga. It was limited to the ardent practitioners of yoga.
Mudra is believed to be an ancient technique that describes emotional, psychic and aesthetic gestures of hands.
Traditional yoga masters recommend Mudras to balance the energy and the subtle essential elements in the body.
Types of Mudras
Approximately four hundred Mudras are estimated to be practiced in different religions including the sculptures & paintings iconography. These spiritual gestures are an integral part of traditions like Dharma and Taoism and practiced for thousands of years to complement Asanas, Pranayama, meditation and healing practices.
There are different categories of Mudras designed to gain varied benefits, depending on what we specifically need. Mudras are done in coordination with breathing to enhance the flow of Prana in the body.
In a nutshell, all the Mudras are broadly categorized into the following five major types.
Hasta Mudra or Hand Gesture
Hasta Mudras are favorable for meditative practices and aid in internalization. These are the most commonly practiced symbolic gestures done using various positioning of thumb, fingers & hands. It focuses on balancing the characteristics of five subtle elements of the universe.
Some hand gestures are developed to use in rituals like Tantras and others evolved as iconographic symbols for illustration of deities in sculptures and paintings.
1. Gyan Mudra
2. Apana Mudra
3. Prana Mudra
4. Surya Mudra
5. Varun Mudra
6. Back Mudra
7. Apana Vayu Mudra
8. Shunya Mudra
9. Rudra Mudra
10. Adi Mudra
11. Linga Mudra
12. Anjali Mudra
13. Akash Mudra
14. Padma Mudra
15. Ganesha Mudra
16. Matangi Mudra
17. Dharmachakra Mudra
18. Brahma Mudra
19. Vajra Mudra
20. Surabhi Mudra
21. Bhumisparsha Mudra
22. Shankh Mudra
23. Hakini Mudra
24. Kubera Mudra
25. Yoni Mudra
26. Chin Mudra
27. Vishnu Mudra
28. Vayu Mudra
29. Shakti Mudra
30. Abhaya Mudra
31. Dhyana Mudra
32. Chinmaya Mudra
33. Prithvi Mudra
34. Karana Mudra
35. Bhramara Mudra
36. Pushan Mudra
37. Mahasirs Mudra
38. Kalesvara Mudra
39. Mushti Mudra
40. Garuda Mudra
41. Vitarka Mudra
42. Merudanda Mudra
43. Varada Mudra
44. Bhairava Mudra
45. Asthma Mudra
46. Uttarabodhi Mudra
47. Ushas Mudra
Mana Mudra or Head Gesture
Mana mudras are a crucial part of many meditative techniques including Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. The practice of these yogic gestures involves the use of your Jnana Indriyas (senses) helps to control the mind.
1. Shambhavi Mudra
2. Shanmukhi Mudra
3. Khechari Mudra
4. Bhoochari Mudra
5. Kaki mudra
6. Nasikagra Drishti
7. Unmani Mudra
8. Bhujangini Mudra
Kaya Mudra or Postural Gesture
Kaya mudras are similar to the yogic postures but it focuses more on the flow of Prana, Chakras and getting into a meditative pose. Considered to be the challenging Mudras, these require the most amounts of concentration and focus to hold.
Postural Gestures stimulate the energy in the body and channel the Prana into specific chakras.
1. Viparita Karani
2. YogaMudra
3. Pashinee Mudra
4. Manduki Mudra
5. Tadagi Mudra
Bandha Mudra or Lock Gesture
Bandha Mudras lock the energy in the body and prevents the dissipating of the energy by redirecting it.
Lock Mudras are performed by engaging respiratory, vocal and pelvis) to hold the Prana. The holding of Prana awakens the subtle Kundalini energy that resides at the base of the spine.
1. Jalandhara Bandha
2. Uddiyana Bandha
3. Mula Bandha
4. Maha Mudra
Adhara Mudra or Perineal Gesture
Adhara or Perineal mudra contains the involvement of the pelvic floor area to stimulate the sacral chakra, which in turn harnesses sexual energy in the body. These support mudras redirect the energy into the Pingala Nadi (solar channel) of the body.
1. Vajroli Mudra
2. Ashwini Mudra
3. Maha Vedha Mudra
4. Maha Bheda Mudra
What to know before practicing a Mudra?
Although every single yogic gesture consists of some specific instructions to be followed, there are some points to keep in mind while or before performing any Mudra.
Hygiene should be maintained before practicing any Mudra.
- Sukhasana, Padmasana, Vajrasana are ideal for practicing most of the Mudra.
- Maintain any specific yogic gesture for at least 10-12 breathe counts.
- Initially practice a Mudra for a couple of minutes and then can be extended to 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Benefits of practicing a Mudra
Although every single yogic gesture consists of some specific instructions to be followed, there are some points to keep in mind while or before performing any Mudra.
Hygiene should be maintained before practicing any Mudra.
- Performing Chin Mudra with meditation helps you to go deeper into the practice.
- Mudras like Varuna and Apana improve the skin complexion and makes the skin glow.
- Beneficial in spiritual awakening. It channelizes Kundalini energy to higher chakras.
- Establishes a direct link between the Annamaya kosha, Manomaya kosha and Pranamaya kosha.
- It helps to gain Sattva guna and enhance spiritual growth.
- Gyan Mudra improves memory power, concentration and sharpens the brain.
- Vayu Mudra heals Rheumatism, Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and Spondylitis.
- Stimulates the digestive fire which further enhances the appetite & improves metabolism.