Hand mudras have been used for centuries in yogic traditions to promote health and wellbeing, and they are considered valuable tools on the path of spiritual awakening. Yoga in your hands by gertrud hirschi is a handy reference book for using mudras. The following mudra sequence brings balance to the chakra system. A mudra is a seal as in sealing your connection with the divine and sealing energy in the body. In indian sculptural art, images are the symbolic representations of divinity whose origin and end is expressed through religious and spiritual. The sanskrit word mudra means seal, mark, or gesture. Mudra, a sanskrit word, means a symbolic hand gesture that has the power of producing joy and happiness. Mudras are hand gestures during meditation that channel your bodys energy flow. In other words, we can use them to help us meditate and open up our seven main chakras and there are literally hundreds of mudras, each with its own unique symbolism and placement of palms and fingertips. While all mudras can be used in yoga, the classical yogic texts place an emphasis on just 20 hand mudras out of the thousands depicted yoga mudras are also used as symbols in statues of the buddha and of hindu deities.
Hand mudras are a way of enhancing our energetic power within ourselves to help heal a specific area of concern. It is a 15 minute practice, approximately two minutes per mudra with a small pause inbetween. Pdf mudras of yoga download full pdf book download. We explored tatta adavu over the last few posts and this basic adavu only had leg tapping movements.
Try these 10 commonly used mudras to improve your health and energy levels. Mantras and mudras university of metaphysical sciences. Speaking in dance via gestures, rather than orally, in order to visually convey outer events or things, as well as inner feelings, two classifications of specific traditional mudras handfinger gesture are used in indian classical dance, and indeed are a prominent part of the dancers vocabulary. Various kung fu forms contain positions identical to these mudras. Waved like a palm leaf fan, either waving entire hand, or rolling fingers. This card set provides 72 of the most important hand mudras used in yoga. The good thing about yoga mudras is that they only require hand gesture, which means that there is not much physical activity involved. From the next adavu, there is use of hand gestures and i thought it is a good time to introduce you to the concept now. They are subtle physical gestures representing spiritual concepts. Mudras, also known as yoga for the hands and finger power points, are symbolic hand gestures. Hand gestures are used by buddhas, monks, practitioners, and bodhisattvasbeings who have delayed enlightenment to help guide those on earth in attaining it.
There are many examples of other mudras in american culture. History of mudras mudras have a very deep history and can be found in all cultures including, ancient. Many of them symbolize major moments or events in the buddhas life. Meditators are often seen pairing this mudra with their practice. Mudra sequence for balancing the chakras integrative yoga. They are used in rituals, such as folding your hands in prayer. Meaning of sacred hand gestures tibetan nuns project. Energy healing hand positions mudra course certification. They are symbolic gestures that involve various parts of the body. Bharatanatyam mudras hand gestures anjali september 2, 2007 learning 69 comments. Mudras are sacred hand gestures or positions that used to evoke a state of mind. Mudras are practiced in yoga to encourage balance, intention, and life energy.
This paper will only focus on the hand gestures and will exclude the others. A comprehensive guide to the hand gestures of yoga and indian dance. In buddhist art, mudras hold complex meanings artsy. For example, hand mudras are known to influence the flow of energy in the body and help you open your chakras. Hasta mudras mean hand gestures adopted during asana, pranayama and meditation that directs flow of energy into our body. The hand postures of the mudras are designed to rechannel breath and energy into various areas of the physical body, energy body, and mental body.
Think of it as opening an electrical circuit inside your. Esoteric sects, found largely in tibet and japan, use mudras most extensively, both in practice and in art. Mudras arenonverbal mode of communication and selfexpression consisting of hand gestures and finger postures, wh ich retain the ef ficacy of the spoken word. Closeup of furious dancer performing bharatanatyam on black background. Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand specialty. My first ebook complete hand mudras complete person. Mudras can be conveniently practised anytime, anywhere, and in any position. Those metallic hand gestures, or mudras, as called in the native language, are nothing but that gentle reminder. Bharatanatyam mudras hand gestures online bharatanatyam. Mudra sequence for balancing the chakras, by lilian le page mudras are gestures that act as an energetic seal, allowing us to attune to specific vibrations in the universe. Mud means joy and ra mean produce, which brings the meaning of mudra to the hand gestures which bring joy and happiness. The literal translation includes the hand gestures, but will also include dristis eye focal points, asanas body positions, and pranayama breathing techniques. There is a hasta mudra for each chakra and i have been using them for many years now to enhance my chakra meditations.
Mudras for weight loss 21 simple hand gestures for effortless weight loss pdf free download according to the vedic culture of ancient india, our entire world is made of the five elements called as the panchmahabhutas. What makes this publication different to the rest is the fact that it talks about how hand gestures have been used in martial arts, dance and other areas. Yoga mudras with pictures hasta mudras, hand gestures. In india, mudras are used along with with pranayama the mysticalyogic breathing exercises find here the yogic breathing exercise. Buddhists often form the hand gestures during meditation practice or in other observances. If youre a beginner you probably have used a couple of these hand gestures in either yoga class or meditation. Hasta mudras are hand gestures which are adopted during yogic practices to seal and direct the flow of energy within the body.
In the yogic tradition, they act as a barrier to redirect prana and prevent it from escaping, thus inducing deeper states of awareness and concentration. This is probably the most familiar mudra in mainstream society. Pdf interpretation of hand signs in buddhist art ahmer. Bodhisattvas appear only in imagery from the esoteric and mahayana traditions. Of all types, hand mudras or rather finger mudras, are the bestknown ones. The following are 8 basic hasta mudras and the reasons why you should do them. Each of these sacred hand gestures has a specific meaning. One of the most striking features of indian classical dance is the use of hand gestures. They are used to stimulate different parts of the body. Hasta means hand in sanskrit an d mudra comes from the sanskrit word mud, meaning to delight. Although hand or rather finger mudras are most common in yoga and meditation, there are also body, heart and perineal mudras. Take milk, ghee, more water and fruit juices in addition to practice of this mudra for much benefits. There are over 200 mudras in bharatanatyam and over 250 in mohiniattam. A mudra is a gesture or position, usually of the hands, that locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain.
What are mudras mudras are the hand gestures that are symbolic in cultures. This vibrantly colored deck presents 33 mudras and 7 chakra cards that were selected for their benefits in promoting health and healing. Let us learn about some of the most powerful hand mudras, which can be performed along with a related asana or pranayama. Mudras hand poses play a pivotal role in kathakali. In this mudra the right hand points towards the earth, hanging over the knee, palm inward. Mudra is a sanskrit term that means a seal or symbolic gesture. Its assumed that each mudra has its own effect on body and mind. For thousands of years hand mudras have been used in india for healing, storytelling, emotional expression, and to evoke and convey elevated spiritual.
There are many forms of mudras, such as with the eyes and the tongue. The great buddha knew the use of mudras and is often depicted using these ritual gestures. It covers all aspects of dance dance movements, poses, and expressive gestures abhinaya of the hand, face and head. So vast are the subtleties expressed in the hand gestures of hasta that the bharatanatyam kathak kathakali kuchipudi manipuri mohiniyattam. Improving your yoga practice did you know that your hands hold an innate healing power that has been used for centuries for healing various ailments.
Mudras are a silent language of selfexpression used in hindu and buddhist teachings. Practiced since antiquity in combination with pranayama, asanas and meditation, mudras or hand gestures is a practice to improve your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Symbolic gestures and postures article of the month august 2001 mudras are a nonverbal mode of communication and selfexpression, consisting of hand gestures and fingerpostures. A hand mudra is both a symbolic and therapeutic gesture mainly performed with the fingers. This is my first book, it will reveal the positive energy and calming powers of mudras, playfully referred to as finger power points. Our hands define our karma and fingers being the power points, are a link between individual pranic force and universal cosmic energy. In total there are more than 30 different hand mudras, all of which can be combined with other mudra types. Indian traditional dances and rituals, buddhist religious practices often depict mudras and their importance. Yoga mudras are symbolic gestures often practiced with the hands and fingers. They facilitate the flow of energy in mudras go handinhand with pranayama and meditation to help prana in and recycle it throughout the body, preventing it from leaking out through the fingers. Mudras photo gallery hand gestures learn religions.
Mudras are hand gestures commonly used in yoga and meditation practices to direct the energy and expand consciousness. They are used to communicate with each other such as waiving hello. I have included a few very secret mudras that have been practising in tantra and kriya yoga. Mudras for weight loss 21 simple hand gestures for. They are also used for the energetic, emotional, and physical effects. Unlike some other books weve seen where you tended to wonder what you were really seeing, the graphics and descriptions of the hand positions are very clear. Depending on which finger is touched or pressed, the effects on the body vary.
Mudras are arm, hand and body positions used in the traditions of hinduism and buddhism. The natya shastra lists the following mudras, along with their most prominent meanings. The gestures presented support mental and spiritual development, and have a wide range of health benefits. Asamyuta hastas gestures of one hand carrying a certain semantic load. By curling, crossing, stretching and touching the fingers and hands, we can talk to the body and mind as each area. The yoga hand mudras hastas are used mostly in hatha yoga as well as meditation, buddhism and hinduism. By positioning our fingers in various postures, we can influence how energy is channeled inside of us. The word mudra is sanskrit for gesture, and in this course i specifically focus on hand mudras so, hand gestures. Pdf the source, meanings and use of mudra across religions.
However, there are hundreds of different ones, and some do. That is why this article focuses on this kind of gesture. Leave a comment on bharatanatyam mudras pdf related. We use mudras in yoga to cultivate a greater sense of awareness to certain energetic fields within the subtle body. According to the tantras these mudra yoga techniques stimulate different areas of the brain.
It is especially good if you want to use mudras to heal. They are symbolic sign based finger patterns taking the place, but retaining the efficacy of the spoken. Each mudra has a specific meaning and connotation, and buddhists may keep figurines and artwork of the buddha performing these mudras around the home. In other words, we can use them to help us meditate and open up our seven main chakras and there are literally hundreds of mudras, each with its own unique symbolism and placement of palms and. Mudra hand gestures or poses are often used in yoga practice, meditation, and for healing purposes. Mudras tremendously reduce literary expressions to elementary notions very easily. Using buddhist mudras hand gestures in feng shui practice. Mudras are hand gestures that impart the expression of thought and emotion. Many others have been developed in the time since, whose histories.
Pdf download mudras for awakening the five elements free. In the practice of yoga, you are encouraged to use your body in many ways, but ultimately with the intention of drawing yourself inward. Typically, statues of buddhas often depict the mudra they held. They really help to draw my breath and my awareness into. Through these hand gestures, a practitioner can easily attune with magical powers, gods, the elements and so much more. Buddhists use a series of stylized, ritualistic hand gestures known as mudras in their practice. Yoga mudras are great for personal growth and they can be done in a yoga retreat, meditation retreats or even at home.
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