What is a Mudra?
Have you ever been to a yoga class and suddenly you were asked to put your forefinger and thumb together in funny hand positions? Did you wonder why?
For those of you that are new to yoga, this action is called a Mudra, which is Sanskrit for “mark or seal”. They are devotional gestures which connect individual energy with universal energy.
Mudras are based on Ayurveda principles and create energy currents within our bodies which correlate with the elements. Ayurveda teaches us that our body is made up of 5 elements.
These elements are Agni ( Fire) Vayu (Air), Akasha (Aether), Bhumi (Earth) and Jala (water)
When there is a disturbance in these elements, it can lead to an imbalanced mind and cause our body to suffer from diseases.
Those that practice yoga aim to restore these imbalances through the practice of the physical asanas. Through incorporating the mudras into your practice you bring both awareness (intention) to what elements need to be balanced within the body & mind to restore your health and wellbeing.
In every yoga mudra, you place your hands in the mudra of choice and take yourself into meditation. You then use the breath while thinking of your intention. As you breathe, you observe the flow of energy, following the breath and using it to create space within.
What is a Mudra?
Mudras are described as hand positions. Each area of the hand has a reflex reaction in a specific part of the brain. There are many types of Mudras designed to bring different benefits, depending on what you specifically need. They are done in conjunction with the breath to increase the flow of energy in the body.
A mudra locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. What happens when we practice them is a connection is developed within the brain that helps to redirect energy to the area in body that is governed by the Mudra that is being used.
Each finger represents the energy of an element, that help us determine the quality and nature of our mind & emotions.
If you would like to learn more about the Mudras, Blue Karma will be sharing with you our favourite Mudras that align to the chakras over the following months.
By learning about the Mudras and adding them to your practice you will deepen your awareness to self, allowing your body and mind to be in perfect harmony.
Written by Renee Manning (Wellness Manager)
