There are many different types of Hand Mudras, each with their own purpose and meaning. Hand Mudras can be used in meditation and yoga to help focus the mind, relax the body, and improve overall health.

1. Hand Mudras
Hi,
In our previous posts, we tried to know
about the various techniques of meditation. All
previous posts Links are available in our last
post Meditation Techniques. To complete
any meditation posture properly, it is also
necessary to know other topics related to
meditation, in which two types of activities are
essential :-
● Hand Mudras (Hand posture, Hast Mudras)
● Aasnas (Sitting posture)
We will try to know both the essential topics one by one. In the beginning,
we will first try to know "Hand Mudras".
What are Hand Mudras
A hand mudra (Hast Mudras) is a symbolic gesture using the hand. They
are often used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals and are part of the
iconography of Hindu gods and Buddhas. The hand mudras are also used
in Indian classical dance.
The hand mudras have a specific meaning and are used to invoke a
particular deity or to create a specific mood. For example, the Abhaya
mudra is a gesture of reassurance and protection and is often used by
Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The Dhyana mudra is a gesture of meditation
and is often used by the Buddha.
There are many different hand mudras, each with its own meaning. Some
of the more common mudras are described below.
● Abhaya mudra: The abhaya mudra is a gesture of reassurance and
protection. It is often used by Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

2. ● Anjali mudra: The anjali mudra is a gesture of respect and
veneration. It is often used in puja (worship) ceremonies.
● Bhumisparsa mudra: The bhumisparsa mudra is a gesture of
earth-touching. It is used to invoke the Buddha's compassion for all
beings.
● Dhyana mudra: The dhyana mudra is a gesture of meditation. It is
often used by the Buddha.
● Ghanta mudra: The ghanta mudra is a gesture of disbelief or horror.
It is often used in depictions of the Buddha's enlightenment when he
is confronted with the reality of human suffering.
● Karana mudra: The karana mudra is a gesture of warding off evil. It
is often used in religious art to protect the viewer from harm.
● Namaste mudra: The namaste mudra is a gesture of greeting and
respect. It is often used in India and Nepal.
● Uṣṇiṣa mudra: The uṣṇiṣa mudra is a gesture of wisdom and
knowledge. It is often used by the Buddha.

3. Hast Mudras
History Of Hand Mudras
Hand mudras are a type of hand gesture used in Indian classical dance.
They are used to convey emotions or convey a message. The history of
hand mudras is unclear, but they are thought to date back to the Natya
Shastra, a treatise on the performing arts written by Bharata Muni. Bharata
Muni is thought to have lived in the 4th or 5th century BCE. The Natya
Shastra is the oldest surviving work on dramaturgy and contains
instructions on how to perform various dance movements, including hand
mudras.
The Natya Shastra describes 24 hand mudras, which are grouped into
three categories: Abhinaya (expressive), Bhava (emotive), and Rasa
(aesthetic).
● Abhinaya mudras are used to express emotions such as love,
anger, fear, and disgust.

4. ● Bhava mudras are used to express states of mind such as
happiness, sorrow, and surprise.
● Rasa mudras are used to express the nine aesthetic emotions:
shringara (love), hasya (laughter), karuna (sorrow), veera (courage),
bibhatsa (disgust), bhaya (fear), adbhuta (wonder), raudra (anger),
and vatsalya (affection).
Hand mudras are traditionally performed with the hands and fingers, but
they can also be performed with the eyes, head, and body. In Indian
classical dance, hast mudras are often combined with footwork and body
movements to create a more expressive dance.
The history of hand mudras is closely linked to the history of Indian
classical dance. Indian classical dance is thought to date back to the Natya
Shastra. The Natya Shastra is a treatise on the performing arts written by
Bharata Muni. Bharata Muni is thought to have lived in the 4th or 5th
century BCE. The Natya Shastra is the oldest surviving work on
dramaturgy and contains instructions on how to perform various dance
movements, including hand mudras.
Indian classical dance is traditionally performed by female dancers, but
male dancers have also been known to perform hand mudras. The most
popular form of Indian classical dance is Bharatanatyam, which originated
in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. Bharatanatyam is a solo dance
that is performed to Carnatic music. It is a highly technical dance that
includes intricate footwork and hand gestures.
Bharatanatyam is just one of the many forms of Indian classical dance.
Other popular forms include Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Odissi.
Indian classical dance is a highly stylized form of dance that is based on
the Natya Shastra. The Natya Shastra is a treatise on the performing arts
written by Bharata Muni. Bharata Muni is thought to have lived in the 4th
or 5th century BCE. The Natya Shastra is the oldest surviving work on
dramaturgy and contains instructions on how to perform various dance
movements, including hand mudras.

5. Hast Mudras
Types of hand Mudras
There are five types of Hand Mudras. They are:
1. Vaayu Mudra: This mudra is also known as the Wind relieving pose.
It is very helpful in treating gas and bloating.

6. To do this mudra, sit in a comfortable position and take a deep
breath. Now, fold your index finger and place it at the base of your
thumb. Apply pressure on the thumb with the index finger and hold for
a few minutes. Release the mudra and repeat on the other hand.
2. Vata Mudra: This is an excellent mudra for balancing the Vata dosha.
It helps in relieving stress and anxiety. To do this mudra, sit in a
comfortable position and take a deep breath. Now, fold your middle
and ring fingers and place them at the base of your thumb. Apply
pressure on the thumb with the middle and ring fingers and hold for a
few minutes. Release the mudra and repeat on the other hand.
3. Pitta Mudra: This mudra is very helpful in balancing the Pitta dosha.
It helps in reducing acidity and heartburn. To do this mudra, sit in a
comfortable position and take a deep breath. Now, fold your ring
finger and place it at the base of your thumb. Apply pressure on the
thumb with the ring finger and hold for a few minutes. Release the
mudra and repeat on the other hand.
4. Kapha Mudra: This is an excellent mudra for balancing the Kapha
dosha. It helps in reducing congestion and cold. To do this mudra, sit
in a comfortable position and take a deep breath. Now, fold your little
finger and place it at the base of your thumb. Apply pressure on the
thumb with the little finger and hold for a few minutes. Release the
mudra and repeat on the other hand.
5. Shunya Mudra: This is an excellent mudra for balancing the mind
and emotions. It helps in reducing stress and anxiety. To do this
mudra, sit in a comfortable position and take a deep breath. Now, fold
your thumb and place it at the base of your index finger. Apply
pressure on the index finger with the thumb and hold for a few
minutes. Release the mudra and repeat on the other hand.
There are many different types of Hand Mudras used in meditation and
yoga. Here are some of the most popular:
The human body alone may be made up of five elements. The elements
might be...

7. ● Water (Blood),
● Air (Breath),
● Earth (Bones and Muscles),
● Fire (Heat), and
● Space (Emptiness).
Mudras are made with fingers. We perform specific yoga mudras by
relocating the fingers depending on the factors and asanas. The fingers of
our palm may represent the element of Panchabhutas (Fire, Air, Space,
Earth, Water) as follows:
Hand Mudras-Finger Elements
● The index finger – Air (Vayu)
● The middle finger – Space (Akash)
● The little finger – Water (Jal)
● The ring finger – Earth (Prithvi)
● The thumb – Fire (Agni)

8. As fingers may be a significant source of magnetic energy, we can perform
mudras on them. A mudra is a symbol or gesture in Meditation and Yoga.
The word mudra can be translated as “mark,” “seal,” or “gesture.”
Mudras are often used in Meditation and Yoga to help form specific
energies within the body and to promote specific states of mind.
1. Gyan Mudra:
Gyan Mudra
This Mudra is also known as the “seal of knowledge”. The thumb and index
finger are brought together, while the other three fingers remain extended.
This Mudra is said to enhance concentration and memory.
2. Vayu Mudra:

9. Vayu Mudra
Also known as the “air Mudra”, this gesture is said to help control the wind
element within the body. The index finger is bent and pressed against the
base of the thumb. The other three fingers remain extended.
3. Prithvi Mudra:
Prithvi Mudra
Also known as the “earth Mudra”, this gesture is said to help control the
earth element within the body. The ring finger and little finger are bent and
pressed against the palm, while the thumb and index finger touch at the
tips.
4. Akasha Mudra:

10. Akash Mudra
Also known as the “space Mudra”, this gesture is said to help control the
space element within the body. The thumb and middle finger are brought
together, while the other three fingers remain extended.
5. Varun Mudra:
Varun Mudra
Also known as the “water Mudra”, this gesture is said to help control the
water element within the body. The little finger and ring finger are bent and
pressed against the palm, while the thumb and index finger touch at the
tips.

11. Benefits of Hand Mudras in Meditation and Yoga
When you do Hand Mudras in Meditation and yoga, you are actually doing
a combination of two things – mudras and hand mudras. Mudras are
basically positions of the hands that help to focus the mind and hand
mudras are hand gestures that help to release energy in the body. The
combination of these two things help to improve your meditation and yoga
practice.
Mudras help to focus the mind by redirecting the flow of energy in the body.
They are often used in conjunction with breath work and mantra recitation.
Hand mudras help to release energy in the body that is stored in the nadis,
or energy channels. This energy can be released through the hands, which
is why hand mudras are often used in meditation and yoga.
The benefits of doing Hand Mudras in Meditation and yoga are many. They
can help to improve your concentration, focus, and mental clarity. They can
also help to release tension and stress in the body, and improve your
overall sense of well-being.
Conclusion
There are many different types of Hand Mudras, each with their own
purpose and meaning. Hand Mudras can be used in meditation and yoga to
help focus the mind, relax the body, and improve overall health. While there
are many different mudras to choose from, it is important to find the one
that works best for you and your practice. Experiment with different mudras
and find the ones that help you to achieve your desired results.