Category: Energy

What is a mudra yes yoga be well

What is a MUDRA?

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When you place your hands together at your heart in yoga or meditation, you’re doing a mudra! What exactly is a mudra? And why practice mudras in yoga?

 

MUDRAS ARE HAND YOGA!

Mudra is a Sanskrit word meaning “sign” or “seal”. It is a symbolic or ritual gesture that is most often done with the hands. There are mudras in classical Indian and Southeast Asian dances, in religious art and … in yoga and meditation!

The mudras are hand asanas. Yup, yoga postures especially for hands and fingers!

There are many mudras. Some sources say there are more than a hundred, others say several dozens (if you count them all keep me updated!).

Each mudra is codified. Each has a meaning and a precise effect on the body and mind.

 

MUDRAS AFFECT BODY AND MIND

The human body has 7 main chakras.

In addition to these come many secondary chakras. Two of these secondary chakras are in the palms of your hands. You have energy centers right there in your palms! Isn’t that cool?

Also, the hands and fingers contain many nerve endings and acupuncture points. Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians such as the Heart Meridian, Pericardium Meridian or Small Intestine Meridian, also run through the hands.
You literally are holding your health in your hands!

 

MUDRAS AND FINGER MEANINGS

In many traditions in Asia but also elsewhere, the fingers are associated with the elements (Fire, Water etc), or the planets.

Here are the most common associations in the practice of mudras:
The Thumb is Agni, FIRE
The Index is Vayu, AIR
The Middle Finger is Akasha, ETHER, the Universe
The Ring finger is Prithvi, EARTH
The Little finger is Jala, WATER.

Of course, you’ll find variations of these associations, in Kundalini Yoga for example. I believe each person feels things differently, no matter what tradition they follow. My invitation to you: discover your way!

What happens when we place certain fingers together in a mudra? Well, we activate the body’s energy channels and connect to the natural elements (Earth, Fire, etc).

Mudras move energy around, and before you know it, “stuff’s happening” in your body and mind!

More on mudras? Check out :
– How to use mudras?
– Padma Mudra, Abhaya Mudra and Energy in your hands with a Ball of Chi! Yes Yes Yes !

 

live fearlessly with abhaya mudra yes yoga be well

Be FEARLESS with ABHAYA MUDRA

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Do you raise your palms outwards to stop someone? Or to show your good intentions? That’s Abhaya Mudra!
What is Abhaya Mudra ? How can you use Abhaya Mudra in your yoga practice?

 

Abhaya Mudra, the Fearless Mudra

“Abhaya” is a Sanskrit word meaning “peace, protection, fearlessness”.

A mudra is a symbolic or ritual gesture that is most often done with the hands.

Abhaya Mudra is the “Mudra of Fearlessness”.

In religious art in Asia, but also elsewhere in the world, we often see figures doing Abhaya Mudra with one hand and sometimes with both.

 

How to do Abhaya Mudra?

Bend your elbow, raise your hand shoulder height, and turn the palm to the front. That’s it! Abhaya Mudra!

live fearlessly with abhaya mudra yes yoga be well

Live Fearlessly with Abhaya Mudra!

 

What does Abhaya Mudra mean?

Farewell Fear with Abhaya Mudra! We offer peace, protection and kindness.

From a spiritual point of view, Abhaya Mudra helps us walk in life without fear.
Yup, because fear limits our growth. So dispel it with this mudra, live fearlessly and step into your light!

With Abhaya Mudra, we also seek protection from what is not light, and we offer this protection to others, by turning our palm towards them.

 

When to use Abhaya Mudra?

Most often, the Fearless Mudra is used in meditation or pranayama.

Do this mudra in seated postures such as Sukhasana (sitting cross-legged), Virasana (Hero’s Pose), or Padmasana (Lotus Pose). Set your intention to overcome your limiting fears and offer peace, protection and benevolence to a situation that’s troubling you, and to the world. And … breathe!

Not a sitting person? With the same intentions, try Abhaya Mudra in standing asana such as Tadasana (Mountain Pose).

My favorite posture with Abhaya Mudra is Utkata Konasana (Wide-Legged Squat), also called Goddess Pose. I love this powerful pose that ignites the thighs and torso. Add the power of the Fearless Mudra and RAAAAAH! Hear the goddess roar!

Utkata Konasana Goddess Pose for Power Energy Fearlessness

Hear the Goddess roar! RAAAAAAA!

Go deeper:
More about mudras in What’s a mudra? And How to use Mudras in your Practice?
Check out other Mudras, such as Padma Mudra (Lotus Mudra), Ganesha Mudra, and Create a Ball of Chi in your Hands! (all coming!)