This document provides an overview of mudras, which are hand gestures used in yoga, meditation, and Hindu traditions. It discusses the origins and purposes of mudras, describing several specific mudras like Anjali mudra and Jnana mudra. The document explains how mudras influence the body's energy channels and chakras. Mudras can be performed during meditation, pranayama, or asana practice to enhance effects. Precautions and benefits are provided for different mudras. Overall, the document serves as a comprehensive introduction to the concept and practices of mudra in yoga and meditation traditions.

1. MUDRA

2.  Introduction
 Origin of mudra
 How, when and where mudra is performed mudra and
breathing
 Mudra and other hand therapies
 Meditation for each finger
 Five group of mudra

3.  Sanskrit word mudra is transited as ‘gesture’ or
attitude.
 This is psychic , emotional ,devotional and aesthetic
 Gesture or attitude.
 Mudra is the energy flow link individual pranic force
with universal or cosmic force.
 Also define as seal short cut or circuit bypass.
 This is the combination of subtle physical movement
which alter mood ,attitude and perception and which
deepen awareness and concentration.
 Mudras are higher practices which lead to awakening
of the pranas chakras and kundalini .
 In this eye positions hand position body posture and
breathing technique are called mudra.

4.  In kundalini yoga the hand mudra are used during the
body posture to intensify their effect.
 Kundalini yoga assume that every area of the hand
forms a reflex zone for the body and the brain ,in this
way we can consider the hands to be a mirror for our
body and our mind.
 Each mudra ultimately creates a special connection to
cosmic consciousness.
 Eg

5.  In India mudras are established component of all
religious activity .
 Mudra are significant in the depiction of Hindu gods
 In addition to body posture they also represent the
distinguishing characteristics of various deities.
 Eg - jnana mudra , atmanjali mudra, abhaya mudra
etc
 In Buddhism where six mudra are very familiar in the
pictorial depictions of Gautama Buddha.

6.  From your hands and place the finger as they are
shown in the various illustration.
 The pressure of the finger should be very light and fine
and your hands should be relaxed.
 The flexibility of the hands has a direct relationship to
the flexibility of the entire body.
 Mudra can be done by seated ,lying down, standing
and walking . Seat on a chair ,walking , standing etc.

7.  Any time any place. But only when we can also
withdraw within ourselves almost anywhere and at
any times.
 Can even done while stuck in traffic , watching t.v. ,
mudra have done in meditative pose.
 A good time to practice mudras is a few minute before
getting up and a few minutes before falling asleep ,
before and after meals , when you walk somewhere.

8.  The great master do not agree on the length if time to
practice a mudra position
 45 minutes [keshav dev]
 If it is not possible to do thus divided into three time
period of 15 minute each.
 Every day at the same time and the same length of
time.[kim da silva]

9.  You can influence the effect of mudra according to
your own needs.
Procedure-1. pay attention to a symmetrical posture and
hold your arms about one inch away from your body.
2.In addition to carbon dioxide, we also discharge
expended energy on the subtle level when we exhale
deeply.
3.always lengthen the little pause after inhaling and
after exhaling by several seconds.

10.  When you practice a mudra to calm yourself ,then slow your
breathing.
 When you practice a mudra to refresh , then intensify your
breathing.
 The optimal quality of breathing is achieved when the breath
is slow , deep ,rhythmic ,flowing , and fine.
 Beginning of a mudra meditation exhale vigorously several
times and then let the breath become deeper and slower.
 You have now three possibilities
 1.focous on your hand and fingers , perceive the gentle
pressure where they touch each other.
 2.while inhaling press the fingertips when exhaling release
pressure.
 3. other way pressure while exhaling and release while
inhaling.

11. 1. Ayurveda
2. Chakras
3. Acupressure
4. Reflex zones
5. Meridians and deep meridians
6. Planetary classification and palmistry

13.  Little finger- Tamas (inertia)
 Ring finger- Rajas(activity, action, passion)
 Middle finger- satva (purity, peace)
 Index finger- atma or individual soul ,
 Thumb – par -matama or supreme soul

14. Not the same in all
schools of yoga.
It should be noted that
only the five chakras
found along the spinal
column are assigned to
the individual finger.

15.  Prithvi mudra (gesture of the
earth)
Earth element is connected to
our physical bones, cartilage,
skin, nails, muscles, tendon and
internal organ .
Promotes a feeling of stability,
confidence, and strength, and
reduce stress and weakness. Also
improve your digestive power
and vitality in the body.

16.  Varun mudra (gesture of
water)
 Helps to balance the water
element of the human
body, preventing
conditions caused by lack
of water or any kind of
drynes in the body and
helps to active the
circulation of fuild
througout the body.

17.  Apana mudra( gesture for
digestion)
 Helps to detox and cleanse
the body by improve
digestion and elimination.
 It is energetically connected
to the pelvis and abdominal
areas. The word apana is the
downward and outwardflow
of energy from the body such
as the outbreath, digestive ,
elemination,and
menstrution .
 Also connected with your
inner strength and self
confidence.

18.  Anjali mudra( heart
offering)
 Connection with your heart
, your inner divine self ,and
respect toward yourself .
 This mudra is an expression
of love and geatitude
andhelps to coonect the left
and right hemispheres of
the brain .

19.  Granthita mudra
 Activate throat chakra ,
opening the vocal cord
passageway and allowing
your communication ,
voice and expression to be
clear andmore authentic.
 It also balances the
thyriod gland and
stimulate self –healing
and expression.

20.  Gyan mudra (knowledge,
wisdom)
 Stimulating the brain and is
associated with knowladge
and wisdom.
 Increasing focus and
concentration and cultivates
a sense of camness and
openness durning
meditation

21.  Prana mudra (vital energy of
prana )
 Stimulate prana, the life
force energy helping to flow
more freely.
 Healing power of the eyes
and helps us to see more
clearly physically, mentally,
emotionally, spiritually.
 Allow to surrender to a
higher consciousness.

25. Using needles ,the
meridian are
stimulate with the
finger.

26. When you
have found
the desire
point
massage it
with the
thumb,
using light
pressure
slow.

28. Meridians are the energy paths
run through the body and
control its individual
functions.

30.  Chinese observed that not energy has the same quality
 Wood - represent growth, stamina and activity.
 Fire- represent individuality, heat, and generosity.
 Earth- represent digestion, stability.
 Metal- clarity, communication.
 Water- adaptability, sensitivity,

33. The mudras can actually
strengthen the hands and the
individual finger.
Little finger-creativity
Ring finger- family, love
security.
Middle finger- love
Index finger-intellectual,
individuality.
Thumb- vitality

36.  The following meditations will help you consciously
experience you individual fingers and the strength
within them.
 Your conscious and constructive thoughts are also
useful here.
 Hindu healing practitioners already discovered long
ago that too much or too little of an element causes the
body become imbalanced or even seriously ill.

37.  The fire element ,the lung meridian and mars , solar
plexus chakra
 Thumb nourishes the energy of the other finger and
absorbs excess energy. It there by restore equilibrium.
 the overheating of the body , the fever, kills entire
culture of bacteria .fire is dependent upon air since it
dies without oxygen.
 Practice- either sit or lie down
 During this feel the burning in the lower center of the
body.

38.  The heart chakra ,LI, and deep meridian of the stomach
Air element, Jupiter
 Air element represents the mind – the power of thought
Thoughts are as invisible as the air.
 This finger also indicating the external change of things .
 If we do the following meditation several days in arow ,we
will notice that several habit in our thought.
 Practice- sit or lie down
 Blue clouded sky seen

39.  It is the longest finger , ether ,throat chakra , Saturn,
The circulation and deep meridian of the GB.
 It energy radiates far into infinity.
 Also called ‘ keeper of the threshold’. This is the
gateway of purity.
Practice- sit or lie down.

40.  Associated with Apollo , sun god, and the root chakra.
Deep meridian of the liver, triple warmer. Earth.
 This force gives stamina , staying power , and the
power to be assertive.
 The liver power gives a person patience, serenity, hope
and vision for the future. Protective function and body
temp. Ability to maintain well functioning immune
system.
 Practice- sit or lie down
Eg.

41.  Sacral chakra energetic center of sexuality ,heart
meridian, water element (water symbolizes the realm of
the emotions).joyful . Strong heart energy, improve
mood, mercury.
 Buddhism ,sexuality is associated with the ring finger.
 Practice- sit or lie down
 You are sitting by the sea and observing the waves-they
comes and roll back same applying your feelings , mood.

42.  Mudras and prana
 The posture adopted during mudra practice establish a
direct link between annamaya kosha , the physical body ,
manomaya kosha , mental and pranamaya kosha the energy
body.
 Mudra manipulate prana in much the same way that energy
in the form of light or sound wave is diverted by a mirror.eg-
sanmukhi mudra.
 Mudra are imp technique for awakening kundalini.

43.  (a)Hasta mudra
 in this the engage the motor cortex at a very subtle
level.
 1.jnana mudra
 2.chin mudra
 3.yoni mudra
 4.bhairava mudra
 5.hridaya mudra

44. Jnana mudra
Psychic gesture of
knowledge
The small ,ring,and
middle finger
represent three
gunas and quality of
nature-
tamas –stability,
rajas –quality,
creativity,
sattwa- luminosity and
hormony.

45. Psychic gesture of
consciousness
The index finger
represents individual
consciousness the
jivatma supreme
consciousness
(thumb)

46. Benefits- the interlocking the finger in the practice creates a complete cross
connection of energies from the right hand to left and vice versa .balance the
energy of the body
-Index and thumbs together further intensifies the flow of prana.
-develop great concentration, awareness and internal physical relaxation.
Yoni means ‘womb’ or ‘source’

47. The two hands represent ida and pingla nadis and
the union of the individual with the supreme
consciousness.

48. Duration – 30 minute Awareness:- physical- breath in the chest area
spiritual- on anahata chakra
Benefits- flow of prana from the hands to the heart chakra ,improving the vitality
of the heart . Middle and ring finger relates directly to nadis , when the thumb
closes the pranic energy is acts . Heart is the center of emotions.

49. Shambhavi mudra( eyebrow Centre gazing)
Breathing- inhale-raising the gaze
exhale-gaze is lowered
Awareness- physical- on the sensations in
the eye .
Spiritual- on ajna chakra
Duration- 5 round
Benefits- strengthens the eye muscle, calm
the mind, removing emotional stress and
anger.
Contra-indication- suffering from glaucoma
diabetic retinopathy , eye operation
Practice note- incorporated in asans such as
lion pose.
Also known as Bhrumadhya drishti, bhru
means ‘eyebrow centre ’ and drishti means ‘
gazing’.

50. Breathing- normal breathing awareness- spiritual- on the mooladhara chakra
Contra indication- glaucoma , depression , cataract surgery.
Benefits- power of concentration and induces me, ditative states .
Another name is agochari mudra , agocharam , meaning ‘beyond sensory perception.
Nasikagra drishti the bridge of the nose I related to the spinal cord.

51. Reduce the respiration rate over a
period.
Duration- 5 to 10 minutes.
Awareness- physical- on the stretch
of the tongue
Spiritual- vishuddhi chakra.
Preacution – bitter secration is
tasted.
Contra indication- ulcer
Benefits- stimulate the no. of point
in back of the mouth
Stimulate the secration og gland and
saliva
Stimulate the prana and awaken the
kundalini.
Khechari mudra is assosiated with
the necter of life.

52. This mudra is the cooling practice
maintain the body temprature.
Preacution- in cold and polluated
air , not strain in eye
Contra – indicating- depression ,
glucoma, low b.p, chronc
constipation.
Benefits- kaki mudra cool the body
and mind , stimulate the digestive
secretions.

53. Duration- 3-5 round
Sequence- beneficial after the
technique of shankha prakshalana.
Benefits- help alleviate abdominal
disorder .

54. Awareness- ajna chakra
Contra- indication- glucoma ,
diabetic retinopathy , cataract
surgery,
Benefits- develop the power of
concentration and memory.
Takes the psychic and spiritual
planes of consciousness.

55. Awareness on the ajna chakra.
Preacaution- as soon as faintness
is felt , stop the practice.
Contra – indication – high b.p,
vertigo , epilepsy.
Benefits- combine the benefits
of kumbhaka , ujjjayi,
shambhavi and khechari.
Arrests the thought processes
and induces higher state of
consciousness.

56. Awareness – physical- hand mudra
with the breath
Spiritual- bindu , ajna, anahata
Time of practice – early morning
and late night .
C.I- depression
Benefits- relax the nerves and
muscles of the face.
Induce the sense of pratyahara.
Also known as baddha yoni asana.

57. Unmani means ‘ no mind’
or ‘not thinking’.
Unmani avastha , the state
of no thought.

58.  Vipareeta karni mudra
Duration – 7-21
Awareness- physical- movement of
breath
spiritual- manipura and
vishuddhi
TOF- early morning
Contra -indication- high b.p heart
disease, excessive toxins
Benefits- balance the activity of the
thyroid.
balance the flow of prana .

59. Awareness- mooladhara to
sahasrara and back to
mooldhara
Sequence- after asana and
pranayama
TOP- sunrise while facing the
sun.
Benefits- awakens the dormant
prana shakt,vital energy.
also known as shanti mudra
the peace of mudra.

60. Breathing- slow and rhythemic
Awareness- physical- on the nosetrip
spiritual- mooldhara
chakra.
Contra-indication- manduki asana
should not be practised unless the
ankles, knees, and hips are very flexible.
Benefits- counter pose for cross-legged
meditative asanas.
It calms and balance ida and pngala
nadis .

61. Awareness- mooldhara and ajna chakras.
C.I- sciatica, high b.p, pelvic inflammatory.
Benefits- massages the abdominal organs , relieves anger , tension, control psychic
energy ,awaken manipura chakra.

62. Spiritual – on mooladhara or vishuddhi chakras
Contra-indication- spinal condition should avoid.
Benefits- balance and tranquility to the nervous system and induces pratyahara.
stimulate all the spinal nerve.

63. Duration- 3-5
Awareness- spiritual- manipura chakra.
Contra-indication- hernia , pregnant women.
Benefits- relieves tension , stimulate blood circulation, raise the prana flow by
stimulating the manipura chakra.

64.  Maha mudra
Improve over the sexual potential.
Awakening of dormant spiritual energy and attaining of spiritual powers.
Benefits- leprosy , colic disease ,

65. TOP- early morning while the stomach is completely empty.
C.I- heart complaints, cervical spondylosis vertigo, colitis, ulcer, avoided in hot
summers. Active menstruation, pregnancy.
Benefits- influence the pranic level.

66. Awareness- spiritual- on
mooladhara chakra.
Contra-indication- any
inflammatory disease, infection,
heart problem , sciatica,
pregnancy.
Benefits- awaknens psychic energy,
and kundalini.

67.  Ashwini mudra (horse gesture)
Awareness- anal contraction and
relaxation
Spiritual- on mooldhara chakra
Benefits- strengthens the anal muscle

68. Awareness- swadhisthana chakra.
C.I- urethritis as the irritation and pain may increase.
Benefits- it helps overcome psycho-sexual conflicts and unwanted sexual thoughts .

69.  Upon arising- one glass of water
 Breakfast- green tea, herb tea , sprouts, butter or curd
 Lunch- salad or steamed vegetables, legumes.
 Dinner- as little as possible, eg- soup, bread, cheese.
 Snacks- water, tea, fruit
 Not eat
 Meat(obstructed breathing)
 Milk , tomato, hot peppers(mucous congestion in the
lung)

70. Each finger has its very own function and power within
the organism . If you know how to use this power.
When we tell patient about the mudras, their first
reaction is skepticism.
Some mudra can also be used as help in an emergency.
Chronic bad mood , aggression , depression, fear,
digestive problem , blood pressure , pain

71.  Hand exercise have been supported in special education
classes.
 Brain should be trained like a muscle everyday.
 Eg. After on operation( activity of the brain is reduced )
 Practicing mudra can called pure brain training.
 When mudra is done with full concentration and state of
serenity is calmed and regenerated.
 This promotes memory the general ability to recollect, and
creative .
 3 times and 10 min.
