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EY 200 Kriya, Hand Mudras

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Introduction to 4 Hand Mudras

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We are introducing only four hand mudras for this 200 YTT.

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With use and practice of these four you may feel an interest to expand your mudra practice and include others. In our 300 YTT we will be introducing more of the tantric empowerments in using mantras in your yoga, pranayama and meditation practice

A mudra is a hand gesture, or hasta mudra, that balances energy in the mind and body.  Mudras were created by ancient yogis to restore physical health, calm the mind, and optimize energy.

Mudra Meaning

The Sanskrit word “mudra” is translated as a mark, seal, sign or gesture.

We will discuss four hand mudras in this lesson:

Añjali Hand Mudra

Offering from the Divine… giving & receiving from the heart

Añjali  Meaning – Reverence in the form of a hand gesture. To honor, to celebrate, to respect. Freely and joyously giving and receiving sacred miracles and blessings in all expressions and in the physical, energetic pranic, mental emotional manas, vijna and Ananda maya kosha’s. Receiving on all levels of our being, giving all our wide open unstoppable love in whatever form is most helpful.

Hakini Hand Mudra 

Hakini Mudra is one of the widely used hand gestures/ seals.

Honoring Hindu goddess Hakini.

Open the third eye chakra.

Chin Hand Mudra

Seated, Supine Tip of index finger pressing against the tip of thumb, hands facing down or up.

Use: Calm, inner awareness, concentration, eradicates ego, allows receptivity to Divine, Buddhi Mind, Purusha

Vishnu Hand Mudra

Sacred hand gesture in honor of Lord Vishnu

Meaning: Unity with Divine Nature

Lord Vishnu was a Hindu God, one of the most acknowledged and known deities in Hindu Mythology. He is know for maintaining a constant state in pure Divine Consciousness. Absolute Unity with Source, Purusha, Brahman, God.

Use: Use to channel prana energy

Añjali  Mudra

Offering from the Divine… giving & receiving from the heart

Añjali  Meaning – Reverence in the form of a hand gesture. To honor, to celebrate, to respect. Freely and joyously giving and receiving sacred miracles and blessings in all expressions and in the physical, energetic pranic, mental emotional manas, vijna and Ananda maya kosha’s. Receiving on all levels of our being, giving all our wide open unstoppable love in whatever form is most helpful.

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Añjali Mudra Variations:

Palms together; giving and receiving holy gifts in the formless and all forms and expressions

Palms together and raised; reverence, deep respect, honoring or benediction, salutation to the Heart of the Universe.

Benefits of Practicing Anjali Mudra:

• Increased focus and concentration

• Promotes calm, presence, a quiet and still mind

• Coordinates the right and left hemispheres of the brain

• Calms ego and activates humility

• Improves mindfulness and present moment awareness

How to practice this mudra:

• In a comfortable seated or standing position

• Be sure spine is erect and straight

• Bring your hands to your heart center

• Join each palm together, with fingertips and thumbs gently touching

• Allow for a small space between the palms

• Thumbs can rest gently on the breast bone at the heart chakra

When we join both palms together a electrical connection is created balancing and connecting the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This creates harmony within and in all aspects and layers of the being.

Vishnu Hand Mudra

Sacred hand gesture in honor of Lord Vishnu

Meaning: Unity with Divine Nature

Lord Vishnu was a Hindu God, one of the most acknowledged and known deities in Hindu Mythology. He is know for maintaining a constant state in pure Divine Consciousness. Absolute Unity with Source, Purusha, Brahman, God.

Use: Use to channel prana energy, union with Divine, Purusha, Pure Consciousness

Vishnu mudra activates a powerful channel or prana energy. Vishnu mudra symbolizes pure consciousness and helps with connecting to the Divine Self and God of our understanding. Assists with unifying with Divine Consciousness.

Benefits of Practicing Vishnu Mudra

• Opens the flow of prana channels in the body

• Creates connection to all the kosha’s, body, mind and Soul

• Assists in merging with Divine consciousness

• Creates mental clarity

• Alertness of mind, better decision making

• Balances the lower mind, calms disturbances

• Balances the flow of energy, life force and prana

• Relieves stress and anxiety

• It helps to pierce the dualities we come across in our lives.

Contraindications:

• High blood pressure

• Vertigo

How to Practice Vishnu Mudra

• Bend your index and middle finger in toward the palm at the base of the thumb.

• Allow the thumb, pointer finger and pinky finger to extend

• You may use for pranayama, closing off the nostrils with the finger and thumb alternately.

In India and throughout the world Vishnu mudra is one of the most ancient and widely used of all the hand mudras. Use this mudra to connect with and invoke blessings from the Divine.

Hakini Hand Mudra 

Hakini Mudra is one of the widely used hand gestures/ seals.

Honoring Hindu goddess Hakini.

Open the third eye chakra.

Benefits of Practicing Hakini:

• Activates the third eye, ajna chakra, increasing intuition

• This mudra helps with communication, use when you need to speak or teach

• Creates inner confidence and calms nerves

• Helps with concentration and focus

• Increases memory, brain activity and health

• Balances the brain hemispheres for increased productivity

• Promotes clear thinking and positive decision making

How to Practice Hakini

• This hand mudra can be used in seated postures, during asana and pranayama.

• With a straight spine, in comfortable position

• Gently join all your fingers tips and both thumbs together.

• Spread fingers comfortably to create space

• Gently close your eyes.

Chin/Gyan Hand Mudra

Seated, Supine Tip of index finger pressing against the tip of thumb, hands facing down or up.

Use: Calm, inner awareness, focus on consciousness, concentration, eradicates ego, allows receptivity to Divine, Buddhi Mind, Purusha

Chin/Gyan Mudra is a hand gesture/seal often known as a “Gesture of Consciousness.” Chin represents consciousness, and Mudra represents “a gesture or a seal.”

Chin Mudra and Gyan Mudra are very similar with a slight variation of the palms.

Chin- palms facing downward

Gyan- palms facing upward

Chin/Gyan Mudra Benefits:

• Supports us as we intend to connect to consciousness, our Divine Self, Purusha, Divine Source, Universal Consciousness.

• Helps elevate our mood and energy level.

• Helps one center, ground and maintain presence.

• Assists us in achieving inner stillness, clarity of mind, release ego and negative thoughts.

• Help with sleep problems and depression

• Improves reactions, reflex’s and response

• Improves spinal wellness and low back health.

• Balances blood pressure

Contraindications:

• Hand surgery

How to practice chin/gyan mudra

• Find a comfortable seated posture with a straight spine

• Place your hands on your knees in a comfortable position

• For Chin place palms down

• For Gyan place palms up

• Gently press the tip of the index finger to the tip of the thumb

(Creating a circle in the hands)

• The pinky, ring and middle fingers are extended comfortably.

The circle created between the index finger and thumb represent the union of the individual consciousness with Divine consciousness. This hand mudra creates a circuit of energy, creating balance, calm, concentration and brings awareness inward toward the Infinite Self.

Meditation