Mudras
Mudras (gesture, seal) are subtle physical movements of
the hands, face, and or body. Complex mudras involve the
whole body in a combination of asana, pranayama, bandha
and visualization, while simple mudras range from hand positions
to meditation techniques. The purpose of a mudra is to activate
and create a circuit of prana in the body. This circuit
channels the prana in a specific way to create a subtle
effect on koshas and to regulate and awaken the prana, chakras
and kundalini, Mudras are used only after proficiency in
asana, pranayama and bandha has been achieved, and when
one has obtained some cultivation and awareness of prana.
In hatha yoga, the level of progression is asana, pranayama,
bandha, mudra, samadhi. Thus, mudra is the advanced practice
leading up to the attainment of enlightenment or samadhi.
Mudras are the bestowers of the eight divine powers. They
are held in high esteem by all the siddhas and are difficult
for even the gods to attain. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 3:8)
Hasta (hand) mudras used primarily in meditation, but can
also be incorporated in asana and pranayama as well as in
daily activities. Hasta mudras redirect the prana traveling
through the fingers back into the body. These mudras are
the most common and numerous of the categories of mudras.
Many of the hasta mudras have been developed to help with
mental and emotional issues as well as heal physical diseases.
Hasta mudras should be done with both hands, with light
pressure of the fingers and held for 5-45 minutes.
Mana (head) mudras utilize the sense organs of the eyes,
ears, nose, tongue and lips. These mudras are done only
as meditation exercises and require intense concentration
to engage for even short periods of time. Mana mudras are
deeply inwardly focusing and induce higher states of consciousness.
Contraction mudras involve the engagement of subtle skeletal
muscles, mostly in the area of the pelvis. These mudras
concentrate the prana in the body and prime the energy channels
(nadis) for the awakening of kundalini.
Kaya (postural) mudras are similar to asana, but combine
the other types of simple mudras with pranayama and concentration.
These are the most complicated mudras and require the most
amounts of concentration and focus to hold. Kaya mudras
invigorate the prana in the body and direct the prana into
specific chakras (energy centers).
