Using Mudras in Yoga

When you begin yoga for the first time, you will learn about mudras. Mudras are meaningful for practicing yoga because these hand gestures are about making energy flow in and out of the body. As a beginner, you will learn about the channels of energy which are called chakras. These disks of energy, chakras help balance the body and can also be used for the healing process of the body. Learning about these concepts makes yoga feel more profound, unique, and a comforting process to practice.

There are seven channels of energy that affect your health physically, mentally, and emotionally. It also affects you spiritually. However, there are techniques to help your chakras to heal yourself such as the practice of meditation, yoga, breathing, mudras, mantras, yoga poses, and more aspects for balancing them. Therefore, when you begin yoga, you will learn various hand gestures to open these channels of energy. Each hand gesture has a meaning, and it is vital to use them with consideration when used with yoga poses.

For example, the fist hand gesture is used to let go of anger, fear, or pain. Often being angry might be due to painful memories and physical pain. Mudras are symbolic hand gestures which use the fingers and sometimes the body. When you practice Kundalini Yoga, you will learn about opening the closed energy channels. Additionally, it is necessary to learn about the five elements when it comes to mudras.

The five elements are fire, air, space, earth, and water. Each finger represents the five elements when you do a mudra. Mudras are used during yoga poses, meditation, and for breathing techniques for relaxation. It also assists in clearing your mind and to increase your concentration. You can practice mudras in a sequence. 

Did you know there are three hundred and ninety-nine mudras? As a beginner in using mudras, it is essential to know the purpose of each mudra that is used in yoga. Some mudras are complex and other mudras are easier to master. Do not rush into learning all the mudras in one yoga session. Instead learn basic mudras such as putting your index fingertip to your thumb and keep your other three fingers straight.

Another mudra is by using your last finger to touch the tip of your thumb while keeping your other three fingers straight. It is recommended to focus and do breathing exercises while doing these mudras. One favorite mudra of mine is using your ring finger and pinky finger to touch the tip of your thumb while you keep your other two fingers straight; This hand gesture is done to open your energy channel. The second favorite mudra of mine is by using your thumb, middle finger, and ring finger together while keeping your pinky finger with your index finger straight. This mudra helps you with your digestion. 

Nonetheless, mudras can stimulate the memory aspect of your brain and help reduce anxiety. It reduces your stress and helps you feel more serene. As well as making you slow down and breathe deeply. Mudras can be used for self-care and to increase your focus, intuition, and for clearness of the mind. Here are resources about learning about mudras. 

What Are Mudras-An Ancient Tool Explained-The Joy Within:

What Are Mudras? An Ancient Tool Explained - The Joy Within

Mudras 101: Learn Yoga Hand Gestures-Yoga Journal: 

Mudras 101: Learn Yoga Hand Gestures (yogajournal.com)

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