Mudras in your Hands

Hakini Mudra - balances left and right hemisphere of the brain

Mudras are symbolic body, eye and finger gestures. They depict different states or processes of consciousness. We use them unknowingly in our everyday life. A handshake, to seal the deal. A wave to a friend, a gesture of recognition. Each Mudra comes with a sense of connection and along with it an associated emotion or state of being conscious directly in that moment.

Position of Body

In Yoga, Mudras may influence the body position, its internal response such as breathing or eye movements. Several may be present in our regular yoga class, such as Prayer position where the hands are place palms together and rest in front of the chest. In yoga this is called Anjali Mudra. Anjali means connection to the wisdom of the Heart or a Higher Power such as the Divine.

Position of Mind

A Mudra is like a lock, when released it opens us to the secret that it holds, such as long held emotions from memories perhaps forgotten but still held within the cell memories. By amplifying the body's natural need to receive breath into all parts of the lungs, through the bloodsteam into the brain, Mudras offer the body respite from old patterns of pain, tension and misguided believes that may no longer serve. So Mudras don't just free the body from pain they also free the mind to find space and creativity where once there may hae been anxiety, depression or pain.

Mind is made of moving thoughts

Breath moves into the Body, pauses,

and Breath moves out of the Body.

There is stillness in the pauses between Breaths.

Yogis call this The Space of No Thought

Intention

In Yoga we may make a deal with out Self in practice to hold an intention and symbolically close the deal within our awareness by using a hand gesture. For instance, in Meditation we may use Chin Mudra where the hands are relaxed, facing upwards in front of the body and the tip of the thumb and the index fingers touch on both the left and right hands. Hands and naturally curling fingers may then relax on the thighs or in the lap as we close the eyes and take our awareness towards the breath.

Meaning of Yoga

The symbology of Chin Mudra is Unity. The index finger, often called the pointer finger, represents the Ego Self or individual consciousness. We all know how it feels when someone points this finger at us. The Thumb represents represents cosmic consciousness. So the two together form a symbol of Unity where the microcosm and the macrocosm are joined represented by a circle. This is the meaning of yoga to yoke or to join together, to create unity. So Chin Mudra creates circulation of energy where there is no beginning and no end. It is perfect as it is.

Meditation

Mudras can be used as a symbol to investigate, ask questions, seek clarity in Meditation. When we ask honestly, truthfully and persistently, we receive an honest answer. This may not always be comfortable or what we may think we are looking for, however it may have a healing effect in the long run. It is simply a practise we come back to over and over again. There is nothing to get, nothing to fix, nothing to change it is an act of noticing change, as it happens, moment to moment.

All classes at Horsham Yoga feature Mudras Watch out for the 90 min Classes where Mudras may be examined more deeply.

Or Contact Kathryn for more information.