Mudra is a sanskrit word and is translated to ‘gesture’ or ‘attitude’. In the yogic system the body consist of five layers or sheets known as the koshas. One of them is called Pranamaya Kosha which is the energy body. The energy body is made up of energy centers called Chakras and energy channels called Nadis, which connects all the chakras. Even though the energy is flowing through those channels and centers, it is always radiating energy which leaves the body, just like a lightbulb with radiate some heat. The use of mudras is a means of redirecting the energy that normally leaves the body back into the body, just like a mirror would reflect light back in the room. So with a combination of subtle physical movements we can alter mood, attitude and perception, which then deepens awareness and concentration. A mudra can be a combination of asanas, pranayama, bandha and visualisation techniques, or it can be as simple as a certain positioning of the hands.
Some yogic texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and others consider mudras to be a yoganga, meaning an independent branch of yoga which require very subtle awareness. They are higher practices which lead to awakening of the pranas, chakras and kundalini. An advanced practitioner may achieve major siddhis with the practice.
While practicing mudras you establish a direct link between three of the five koshas. The Annamaya kosha(physical body), the Manomaya kosha(mental body) and the Pranamaya Kosha. With practice, you become aware of the pranic flow in your body. Balance between the koshas happen and subtle energy will be redirected to the upper chakras, leading to higher states of consciousness.
five groups of yoga mudras.
- Hasta Mudra
Much prana is radiated from our hands, and hasta mudras are a means of using the hands to redirect the energy back into the body. Normally, the index finger and thumb will join together and create a loop which moves energy between hands and brain. If we bring awareness to this flow of energy it will lead to internalisation and support your meditation. Some examples are:
– Jnana Mudra
– Chin Mudra
– Yoni Mudra
– Bhairava Mudra
– Hridaya Mudra
- Mana Mudra
Mana Mudras are head mudras. They are a big part of kundalini yoga and many of them can be considered techniques of meditation by themselves. They use eyes, nose, tongue and lips. Some of them are:
– Shambhavi Mudra
– Nasikagra Drishti
Khechari Mudra
Kaki Mudra
Bhujangini Mudra
Akashu Mudra
Shanmukhi Mudra
Unmani Mudra
- Kaya Murda
Kaya mudras use a combination of pranayama(breathing techniques) and Dharana (Concentration). Some of them are:
– Vipareeta Karani Mudra
– Pashinee Mudra
– Prana Mudra
– Yoga Mudra
– Manduki Mudra
– Tadagi Mudra
- Bandha Mudra
Bandha Mudra is a way of using energy locks in the body to redirect the energy. They charge the system with prana and prepare it for kundalini awakening. Some examples are:
– Maha Mudra
– Maha Bheda Mudra
– Maha Vedha Mudra
- Adhara Mudra
These mudras redirect the flow of energy from the lower chakras to the brain. They are used to raise sexual energy into higher frequencies. Two examples are:
– Ashwini Mudra
– Vajroli Mudra
Darsh Yoga 