Yoga Mudras And Meanings
W&S Health and Wellness Editorial Team
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In this post, we give you the rundown on mudras and what they can do for your spiritual practice.
Black American women are becoming increasingly involved in the New Age spirituality movement. With this shift has come a push to normalize the embracing of holistic perceptions regarding spiritual identity outside the conventional Abrahamic religions.
From tarot to witchcraft to paganism to Buddhism, racialized American women are redefining their spiritual practices in ways more aligned with who they actually are.
In support of this trend, we’ve put together a mudras cheat sheet. This guide is perfect for women new to their spiritual journeys wanting to learn more about South And Southeast Asian spiritual tradition. Like, share, and subscribe for more content like this every week!
What Are Mudras?
Mudra is the Sanskrit word meaning “mark”, “seal”, or “gesture”. They are sets of movements that usually involve the hands and fingers, but these movements can sometimes also require the entire body.
The focus of mudras varies among traditions but is usually aimed at healing and intensifying one’s spiritual practice. In the course of Pranayama and meditation, mudras are used to channel or change one’s attitude, mood, or perspective.
The exact origins of mudras remain unknown, however, with historians linking them to many spiritual and physical traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Tantric rituals, Roman art, Asian martial arts, Taoism, and Indian classical dance.
It is commonly believed that each of our five fingers is connected to a particular element in the universe, with:
the thumb representing Fire/Agni,
the index finger representing Air/Vayu,
the middle finger representing Space/Akash,
the ring finger representing Earth/Prithvi, and
the little finger representing Water/Jal.
Why Mudras Matter In Your Spiritual Practice
As it’s believed that mudras are direct pathways to channeling energies, mudras can be a powerful part of your spirituality toolbox. Mudras have been used for centuries as tools for healing and enlightenment, especially within Hindu and Buddhist rituals.
One of the main reasons why mudras matter in your spiritual practice is because they can help you focus your mind and bring you into a state of inner peace and stillness. Mudras work by activating specific energy pathways in the body, which can help to balance the flow of energy throughout the body and calm the mind.
Another benefit of using mudras in your spiritual practice is that they can help to stimulate different areas of the brain. Each mudra is associated with a specific area of the brain and can help to enhance cognitive function, memory, and creativity.
In addition to their mental and emotional benefits, mudras also have physical benefits. They can help to improve circulation, relieve stress and tension in the body, and even alleviate certain physical ailments.
Ultimately, mudras can be a powerful tool for enhancing your spiritual practice and deepening your connection to yourself and the world around you. By incorporating these hand gestures into your daily practice, you can cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace, balance, and harmony in your life.
7 Mudras To Enhance Your Health And Spiritual Practice
1. Jnana/Gyan Mudras
Meaning: Gestures for knowledge and wisdom.
Element(s): Air and Fire
How To Do It: The Jnana/Gyan Mudra is performed by tucking the index finger under the tip of the thumb to form a circle, with the remaining three fingers extended. This mudra is best done with both hands, with mild pressure between fingers.
Best Times To Use It: In the mornings during meditation.
Benefits: Brings peace of mind, helps relieve insomnia, improves connection to higher self, and brightens the mood.
2. Chinmaya Mudras
Meaning: Gestures for awareness.
Element(s): Fire and Air
How To Do It: The Chinmaya Mudra is performed by forming a ring with the index and forefinger with the remaining three fingers placed into the palms of the hand.
Benefits: Relieves stress and anxiety, provides clarity, enhances digestion, promotes memory and focus, and gives a sense of grounding.
Best Times To Use It: There is no specific time of day this mudra works best. Instead, it’s best to focus on using this meditative mudra in a disturbance-free environment.
3. Buddhi Mudras
Meaning: Gesture for mental clarity.
Element(s): Water
How To Do It: The Buddhi mudra is performed by gently placing the pads of your pinky finger and thumb together while allowing your remaining fingers to extend comfortably.
Best Times To Use It: This mudra is best practiced multiple times, any time of the day.
Benefits: Improves digestion, promotes healthy skin, helps improve anemia, and improves diseases related to bladder and kidneys.
4. Prana Mudras
Meaning: Gesture for energy and life
Element(s): Earth, Water, and Fire
How To Do It: The Prana mudra is performed by joining your pinky and index fingers and joining them with your thumb.
Best Times To Use It: In the morning, on an empty stomach.
Benefits: Reduces fatigue, improves vision, prevents insomnia, improves circulation, helps with self-image and confidence, and enhances clarity.
5. Shuni Mudras
Meaning: Gesture for patience
Element(s): Fire
How To Do It: The Shuni mudra is performed by connecting the middle finger and the tip of your thumb. Relax the remaining three fingers.
Best Times To Use It: Best results come when practicing at least three times daily.
Benefits: Helps with alleviating motion sickness and vertigo, treats acute ear pain, and stops numbness throughout the body.
6. Apana Mudras
Meaning: Gesture of purification
Element(s): Fire, Space, and Earth
How To Do It: The Apana mudra is performed by bringing the tips of the middle finger, ring finger, and thumb together with the other two remaining fingers pointed out.
Best Times To Use It: Any time of the day.
Benefits: Enables easy childbirth, strengthens pelvic orgasms, relieves back pain, treating urinary tract infections, and releases pent up emotions.
7. Prithvi Mudras
Meaning: Gesture of Earth
Element(s): Earth and Fire
How To Do It: The Prithvi mudra is performed by connecting the tips of the ring finger and thumb, with the remaining fingers extended straight out.
Best Times To Use It: Early mornings and the evenings.
Benefits: Helps with promoting hair growth, relieves joint pain and muscle stiffness, helps restore and promote balance and grounding, and improves mental stamina.
