If you’re a regular yoga practitioner or even new to yoga, you might have heard the word ‘mudra’ mentioned in your classes, but do you really know what it means? I know that when I first started practicing yoga I didn’t, so, here’s a little insight into what a mudra is and one of my favourite and easiest ones to practice.

What is a mudra?

 A mudra is a symbolic gesture and energetic seal, that is typically performed with the hands and fingers, but some can involve the entire body.  

In Indian tradition, the fingers relate to energies of the five elements: Fire, Air, Earth, Water and Ether and the palm of the hand relates to the Mind. By positioning the fingers with different parts of the hand, or sometimes hands, it is thought that you connect to the elements and the chakras (blog to follow soon on chakras).

Mudras help to balance the elements and when the elements are balanced it is believed that it promotes health and wellbeing.

 Here’s a simple mudra you can try at home to get you started.

Chin Mudra

Chin Mudra is the gesture of consciousness that allows us to connect with our higher self. It can help to uplift energy and create a state of calm, boosting our overall mood.  It is also known as the Jnana (wisdom in Sanskrit) mudra.

In this mudra, it brings together the thumb, the element of fire and the index finger, the element of air. The thumb represents the supreme consciousness and the index finger, the

the individual consciousness (or ego). It’s through the connection of the two that inner peace can be found.

How to practice

Traditionally this mudra is practiced in meditation, whilst seated.  

1. Come to a comfortable seat - this can be sitting crossed legged, kneeling or it could

   mean sitting in a nice upright chair. Take the option that will work best for you and use as many props as you like, to allow you to find comfort and stillness

2. On both hands bring your index finger under the tip of your thumb, keep your remaining fingers extended, but relaxed

3. Rest the backs of the hands on the top of your thighs with the palms facing down to promote a sense of grounding or facing upward to invite more openness

4. Hold as you begin your meditation or if you don’t meditate you could try some simple breath work

When you finish notice if you felt any sensations in your fingers or hands, perhaps throughout the body. If you want to, you could note it down in a journal or notebook, then next time you try it you can see if your experience is any different.

If you’re interested in finding out more about mudras there are lots of books out there, but one my favourites and recent purchases is Mudras for modern life by Swami Saradananda – not only is it insightful and easy to use, but the illustrations are beautiful too.

 Enjoy!