Mudras

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"Mudamanandam dadati iti mudra"

Meaning: Mudra gives happiness and bliss.

The Hindu classical texts on yoga, dance, mythology, martial arts and tantra have widely discussed and emphasized the importance and practice of mudras or poses.

Since time immemorial, mudras have been used to express ones feelings as well as the state of ones mind. In the Indian context, we can see several different aspects of mudras.

Classical dancers perform mudras to achieve better expression. Warriors used mudras to attack their enemies at their vital points and kill them. Mythological and ritualistic practices highlight the importance of mudras in daily practices, this is called nitya karma.

In yoga, ancient seers used mudras to control pranic movements, which always move from higher to lower pressure, and subsequently influence the mind.

Mudras enable the energy to flow in one direction, instead of many different directions. Yoga believes that the body is the extension of the mind. Mudras therefore, control the body as well as the mind.

According to ancient tantric culture, from which hatha yoga has gradually developed as a subject, mudras are mandatory practices. There is a relationship between mudras and chakras, where the flow of energy or prana can be seen continuously. Mudras can channel the currents slowly into one particular direction.

Swami Swatmarama has written,

Tasmatsarvaprayatnena prabodhayitumeeshvareem|
Brahmadvaramukhe suptam mudrabhyasam samacharet |3:5|

Hatha Yoga Pradipika- 3:5

Meaning: Therefore, the goddess sleeping at the entrance of Brahmas door should be constantly aroused with all effort, by performing mudra thoroughly.

Mudras can be categorized broadly into five groups:

• Hasta (hand) mudra
• Mana (head) mudra
• Kaya (postural) mudra
• Bandha (lock) mudra
• Adhara (perineal) mudra

Mudras activate the nadis (meridians), stimulating the prana and the mind. Although mudras are an advanced subtle practice, a few of these can be practiced easily by an individual.

Mudras carry a bank of therapeutic benefits, such as:

• Regular practice gives physical and mental steadiness
• Help to overcome fear
• Calms the mind and emotions
• Slows down the aging process
• May prevent premature death
• Stimulates the sushumna nadi
• Helps overcome coughs and colds
• Removes chronic constipation
• An effective stroke rehabilitator
• Reduces stress and hypertension
• Helps overcome diabetes and obesity
• A vital part of kundalini sadhana
• Promotes overall health