What are mudras?
The ancient Vedic culture views the world as essentially composed of five elements, called the ‘Panch Maha Bhuta’.These elements are earth, water, fire, wind, and space. Enroll in our Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh to know more about mudras.
The five elements compose everything in this world, including the human body. Each of the five fingers in our hand represents one of the five elements of mudras.
- The Thumb represents Fire,
- The index finger represents air,
- The Middle finger represents space,
- The Ring finger represents Earth,
- And the pinky finger represents water.
Origin of Mudras
Various religions, which include Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, have used Mudra gestures since ancient times, as mentioned in the Vedas. Artists and dancers have utilised Mudras in a wide range of artistic expressions and performances, including in Tantric practices, Roman art, and Indian classical dance.
Mudras in Hatha Yoga
Mudra, in Hatha Yoga, means “seal” or “gesture.” A mudra is a physical action—primarily of the hands, eyes, and body—that will direct, lock, and create balance of prana in the subtle body.
Traditional Hatha Yoga texts, such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita, identify Mudras as one of the six principal disciplines of Hatha Yoga, alongside Shatkarma, Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, and Dhyana. Practitioners use mudras to manifest and focus prana (the breath of life coursing through the nadis) through intentional gestures and conscious breath.
Energising prana, as a free-flowing experience, supports physical health, mental focus, and spiritual awakening. When prana is blocked, it can create fatigue, anxiety, and overall imbalance of energy. Thus, the yogis designed mudras as a means to direct this inner energy consciously.
Types of Mudras in Yoga.
Gyan Mudra
People perform the Gyan Mudra, the mudra of knowledge, early in the morning. Which is related to the mind and helps improve focus and memory, as well as manage stress.
To perform gyan mudra, touch the tip of your thumb with the index finger and keep the other three fingers straight.
Vayu Mudra
Vayu mudra is also known as the mudra of the air because it helps to balance the air in our body. It helps improve circulation and reduce gas and bloating.
To perform Vayu mudra, press the index finger with your thumb and keep the other three fingers straight.
Agni Mudra
The Agni mudra is believed to improve eyesight and hearing, as well as alleviate headaches.
To perform Agni mudra, press the ring finger with the thumb and keep the other fingers straight.
Prithvi Mudra
It is usually done in the morning and balances the earth element and in addition, it helps by balancing the ‘Muladhara’ (Root Chakra) and promotes physical and mental stability.
To perform Prithvi mudra, touch your Ring finger with your thumb.
Varun Mudra
Varun mudra is said to balance the water element in our body. Moreover, it helps to increase your external beauty and improve skin health, blood circulation, and water absorption in the body.
To perform this mudra, touch your pinky finger with your thumb.
Shunya Mudra
The Shunya Mudra, also known as Hasta Mudra, is a powerful mudra that helps create space and silence in the body and mind.
To perform this mudra, press your middle finger with your thumb.
Prana Mudra
The prana mudra, as the name suggests, increases the vitality and also ‘prana energy’ (life force) of your body.
To perform this mudra, touch the tips of the thumb, pinky finger, and the ring finger, and keep the other two fingers straight.
Mudras and Chakras.
Mudras influence the flow of energy in the body, while Chakras serve as energy centers that connect us to the astral world. These chakras influence our mental health, and practicing yoga helps balance them.
Performing Mudras along with yoga and meditation calms the mind and clears blockages in energy flow, bringing mental peace. Know more about ‘The Seven Chakras‘ and how they help in balancing the energy.
Benefits of adding mudra postures to your routine
When you include Mudras in your yoga practice, you may access the five energy elements in your body. Mudra positions also provide a variety of health benefits, and each Mudra position activates different parts of the body. Energy Mudra positions can improve the flow of energy in the body, and relieve tension and anxiety, not to mention provide other health benefits too.
Consider joining us at Rishikesh Yog Kendra, a trusted yoga school in Rishikesh, which offers a variety of Yoga Alliance-certified yoga teacher training courses and retreats.
Lessons on yoga at Our Yoga TTC classes.
Rishikesh Yog Kendra focuses not only on the practical implementation of yoga asanas but also offers theoretical lessons on Yoga Philosophy, pranayama, mudra, and chakras, among other topics.
These lessons are taught by our experienced teachers in various courses, such as 100 to 500-hour Yoga teacher training courses in Rishikesh.
Join our Yoga Courses to learn more about mudras and yoga philosophy, along with their practical applications.