Mudras Yoga

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We have explained that the fingers represent the five elements. In todays world the word element is often given a different meaning. In science the chemical elements are seen as the building blocks of the Universe. From a scientific perspective the elements of air, water, earth, fire and akash are similar to the scientific concepts of gas, liquid, solid, energy and space. As the hand positions balance our bodies we are aware that our bodies contain these five things:-
gas such as the movement of air in and out
liquid such as saliva and blood
solid such as bones and teeth
energy which animates us
and space such as the inner ear and inside the mouth.

Many ancient traditions portray the world in terms of five elements. Some early texts suggest that there is a sixth element -namely consciousness. I pondered this point and asked myself -"if consciousness is an element and the other five elements are represented in the fingers where is consciousness represented." The answer came to me- "consciousness is represented in the hand mudra itself. Out of consciousness is born intention and out of intention is the mudra formed. Without consciousness the hand would be in a random position. Consciousness is represented in each mudra by the very fact that a mudra has been consciously formed"
This simple idea can act as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of life. The purpose of life is to discover our true spiritual nature. Our true identity is consciousness. If our true nature is divine then that will be reflected in our actions. When our actions truly reflect our spiritual nature, our actions themselves show us our true nature just as the very formation of the mudra is a reflection of the consciousness that created it.
If the fingers are held randomly they do not testify to consciousness. Similarly if our life is full of random actions without any spiritual gaol behind them they do not testify to our true nature and so as we look into the mirror of our lives we either discover who we are or not dependent upon whether our actions are congruent with our spiritual nature or not.

After writing the above passage I actually came across a mudra known as the six elements mudra and it represents harmonizing the elements of water, earth, space, air and fire with the sixth element of consciousness. By performing this mudra we become more aware how consciousness is directing the flow of all life-since it is consciousness that directs the other five elements, and we achieve greater wisdom and insight as a result of this awareness.
Start by holding the open left palm in a vertical position with the fingers straight and pointing upwards. Bend the little, ring and middle fingers into the palm and place the left thumb on top of these. The left index finger remains pointing upwards. It is symbolically pointing upwards as if to say there is something more beyond the five elements that it represents, something of a higher nature, and that is consciousness.
The right hand, symbolically representing consciousness, responds to this by enwraping the left index finger with the right little,ring,middle and index fingers. The fingers curve around the left index finger so that it is held within the right palm. The right little finger enwraps its base and the right index finger curls around its top. The right thumb rests on top of the right index finger. This is the mudra.

With this mudra we make our hands into a shape like the udder of a cow! It is a good mudra to use for manifesting . Hold the mudra and focus on what you want . Visualize it . Feel as if it has already manifested. Maintain in your mind a clear intention of what you want to bring about through this practice.

This mudra is also helpful for rheumatism, it can benefit the stomach and can be calming for the mind.
When you first read how to do the mudra it can feel like doing a Rubik's cube. The left little finger tip touches the right ring finger tip and the right little finger tip touches the left ring finger tip. But wait, there's more! The right index finger tip touches the left middle finger tip and the left index finger tip touches the right middle finger tip. The tips of the thumbs either touch or the thumbs can be kept separate but straight and pointing outwards. Phew!-that's it. - First touch the ring and little fingers as described-keeping these in place, the middle and index fingers then touch as specified.

You can also manifest using a simpler mudra:-touch the tip of the thumb to the tips of the index and middle fingers. The last two fingers are folded into the palm. Then as with the previous mudra focus on your intention of what you wish to manifest. The powerful circuitry that you are creating with this mudra acts like an antenna, transmitting your intentions to the Universe. The index finger representing the individual consciousness touches the thumb representing Divine consciousness so that the former merges with the latter. Then the middle finger representing sattvic qualities symbolizes purity of intention.

The first key is clear intention. Define what you truly want.
The subconscious does not recognize negatives. If you say "I don't want" the subconscious interprets that as "I want."
"I want" is affirming that the chosen object of manifestation is not here in the present which is why you "want it." So instead word a phrase that affirms that what you want is already there or is coming to you right now.
Visualizing your chosen outcome can also help to manifest it. Again see it as if what you wish is already there.
Feelings are more powerful than visualization alone to aid manifesting. As you visualize and affirm your chosen outcome see if can allow yourself to feel how you would feel if it had really come to pass
You can also aid your manifestation by listenng to the manifesting isochronic tones to aid your manifestation
Click on the big arrow link below to find out more

Now make the manifesting mudra again and then stretch out the little finger. You now have a mudra for clearing the sinuses and it can help reduce headaches to boot!
You can also facilitate clearing the sinuses by pressing on the tips of the fingers of each hand using the tip of the thumb from the other hand. This is not a mudra but rather we are pressing on the acupressure points for the sinuses which are located in the tips of the finger. Apply a moderate pressure with the thumb as you work your way around each tip. If an area feels tender then work more on that spot.

Hold the hands with the fingers straight and pointing upwards, and the palms facing each other. Whilst keeping the other fingers straight, bend the middle fingers on each hand such that the finger tip is now pointing downwards and the middle section of the finger is horizontal. Bring the hands together so that the nails touch and face each other. In doing so the first section of the middle fingers from the nails to the first finger joint are touching, with the fingertips pointing downwards. The rest of the hands and fingers do not touch each other. This is the asthma mudra and its name suggests how it can be beneficial.

Place you right hand on your lap with the palm open and facing upwards and all the fingers straight and touching each other. The fingers of the right hand point in the left direction. Hold your left hand such that the palm is open and facing upwards and the fingers touch each other and point to the right side. Now place the back of the left hand on top of the right, such that the back of the left fingers overlap with their respective finger on the right hand-for example the left index finger of the left lies on top of the right index finger. Now join the thumbs at the tips in such a way that a circle is formed by the thumbs and index fingers. This is the Dhyaani mudra.
It is a mudra for meditation and the Buddha is often depicted in this pose. Sitting with this mudra pre-disposes you to meditation the same way that lying down pre-disposes you to sleep. To experience the effects of this mudra close your eyes and focus on this mudra for a short while. Then let your attention rest on your breath as it enters and leaves the nose.
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Place the thumb such that its tip is touching the tip of the other four fingers and keep the palms upright. This mudra can aid digestion. The fingers representing the five elements are brought together hence bringing all the elements into balance. The index finger representing individual consciousness is separated from the ring and little fingers representing the worldy qualities of a persons nature by the middle finger representing spiritual qualities. All meet with the thumb representing divine consciousness.-there is a sense of harmonizing and acknowledging all aspects of our nature-even the shadow side-whilst still moving towards a path of Divinity and spiritual awakening. When the fingers touch it usually represents a harmony and balance for the qualities those fingers represent. In the same way a mudra that involve touching both hands often creates a balance between left and right brain.
Because of the harmonizing nature of this mudra it can also be used to facilitate healing in any part of the body. Place both hands, whilst in this mudra, on the part of the body in need of healing such that the finger tips are pointing towards the relevant part.

Ganesha is a Hindu God that removes obstacles of all kinds. He has the body of a human and the head of an elephant. Just like an elephants trunk can push aside all obstacles on its path so can Ganesha push aside all obstacles blocking your way. Before you perform this mudra you may wish to invoke Ganesha through doing a few repetitions of the mantra "Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha"-(which is pronounced as if it was spelt- Ome Gum Gunuputuh yai nama hah).

Place the left hand such that its back rests against the centre of the chest and the portion of the left arm between the elbow and hand is horizontal with the elbow pointing to the left. Initially keep the palm open. Then bring your right hand in front of your left so that the palms face each other and the portion of the right arm between the hand and elbow is horizontal with the elbow pointing towards the right side. keeping the fingers together bend all the fingers (other than thumb) at the first joint after the knuckle-so that each finger bends in upon itself forming a hook. Keeping the fingers in this position interlock the fingers of both hands such that the front pad of the top portion of the right index finger touches the front pad of the top portion of the left little finger. Similarly the front pads of the right middle, ring and little fingers touch those of the left ring, middle and index fingers, respectively. In other words the two hooks interlock. The top section of the thumb rests on the middle section of the index finger for each hand. This is the mudra

Keep holding it in front of your chest. Breathe out and, maintaining the lock between the hands, pull on the hands as if separating them. As you breathe in relax this pull and then keep repeating it on each out breath. As you pull on the hands get a sense of the whole mass of your hands stretching from elbow to elbow like a large elephants trunk reassuringly ready to clear all obstacles on your path. The action also strengthens the heart and bronchial area. As the heart opens we awaken our inner compassion and feel a greater sense of unconditional love and confidence to face the way ahead.
Be cautious whilst you are new to this exercise. Do not strain whilst pulling on the hands as your arm muscle are not used to the action, but rather build up gradually over time. This is NOT meant to be a body building exercise! Only a gentle tug on each hand is necessary. If holding the hands vertical in this position cause you discomfort then you could hold them horizontally, such that as the hands grasp each other the left palm faces down and the right palm faces up.
You can also use this mudra to balance and remove blockages in the chakra energy system. You could successively do the the mudra at each chakra point and have in mind the intention to unblock and balance the chakra through this mudra.
First hold the mudra on the lap-you will find you can only hold it in a horizontal position. This is for the base chakra- removing blockages to do with security, confidence and material needs.
Then hold near the naval area for the sacral chakra removing blocks related to sexuality and creativity.
Then hold near the stomach area, at the solar plexus, to remove blocks related to personal power and intuitive awareness.
Then the heart chakra we have already discussed.
Then hold at the throat to remove blocks with communication and speech,
Then at the forehead to balance your inner eye which is to do with inner guidance.
You could conclude by placing it on the crown of the head to expand your awareness of Divine consciousness.
The mudra can also be done by reversing the hand positions.

This is another mudra that is good for balancing the sacral chakra. As mentioned in the previous article this chakra effects issues in our lives to do with sexuality and creativity. Balancing it can help us be more creative. As we become more creative then what we may previously have perceived as a problem may now appear as an opportunity to come up with a creative solution. Greater creativity leads to greater positivity.
This mudra is performed differently dependant on whether you are male or female.
Hold the hands opposite each other with the palms open and facing each other and a space between each finger. Pass the fingers of the right hand through the fingers of the left in such a way that the fingers interlock. So that the finger tips of each hand rest by the knuckles of the opposite hands
FOR MEN: The left thumb tip lies between the base of the right index finger and thumb. The right thumb rests on top of the left and applies gentle pressure.
FOR WOMEN: the left index finger and thumb touch at the tips encircling the right thumb. The tip of the right thumb rests at the base of the left index finger and thumb. The left thumb gently presses on the right.
In both cases the palms remain separated and facing towards the body.

This is a protective mudra that will dispel negative psychic energy. Since there is a lot of negativity in the world today we may be surrounded by all kinds of negative energies- the vibration of negative thoughts and intentions. When we do this mudra all these negative forces are dispelled. You may feel a cleansing effect as you rest in the space of this mudra.
Hold the hands so that the palms are open and all the fingers are straight. The upper arms remain at the side of the body whilst the lower arms slant across the body-the palms of the hands are facing downwards at an angle-and the fingers are pointing upwards at a 45 degree angle. The left hand thumb touches the chest on the right side. The base of the right hand thumb touches the wrist of the left hand on the side of the little finger. The ring fingers bend inwards but do not touch the palm. The other finger are held straight out and not touching. This is the mudra. Sit like this for a while and notice the effects.

This mudra is good for revitalizing the throat energy centre and helps with all throat related issues including improving the singing voice. It resembles a conch shell, the blowing of which, forms part of some Hindu rituals-(of course using a conch shell like this involves the throat-so the shape of this mudra reflects its benefits). Just as blowing a conch shell can take the breath of the person using it and beautify or magnify it -so too, this mudra can help beautify and enhance the voice.
Hold the left hand, with palm open, and fingers straight, touching, and pointing upwards. Grasp the left thumb with the right index, middle, ring and little fingers; so that they encase it. The top of the right thumb touches the top of the left middle finger such that they both remain straight. That's it-your hands now resemble a conch shell.
This is a good mudra to do whilst chanting Om or singing a bajan (spiritual song). Try singing without this hand position. Then make the mudra and continue singing and notice the difference. Of course it needs to be practised over time for significant changes to become apparent

What I would like you to do is form the mudra as you are reading along with me as I have a surprise for you!
Let your upper arms relax down at your sides. Now raise your lower arms (i.e. the part of the arms between the elbow and hands) so that your hands are raised. Face the palms forward and have them open with the fingers straight and pointing upwards. Bend the ring and little fingers into the palm. The middle and index fingers continue to point up straight and are touching each other. Place the top of the thumb over the two folded fingers. That's it. Stay in this pose for a while.
You may be wondering by now "what's the surprise?".
Well, I'll tell you!
This is also known as the smiling Buddha mudra. That's right-its about being happy! So put a smile on your face and continue to sit and do this mudra, and............BE HAPPY!
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