TITLE
Understanding Yoga through Knowledge and Practice








MUDRAS FOR HEALING:

These mudras are grounding and can help with anxiety, stress, fear, insecurity, depression, and constipation..


GANESHA MUDRA (Elephant-Headed God)

  • Cross index finger over middle finger on each hand and touch tips of index fingers together; Press palms, ring and little fingers flat against one another
  • Hold hands at heart with fingers pointing away
  • Benefits - Stimulates digestion & metabolism, grounding
  • Practice Tips - Use when feeling anxious or unable to process
  • Contraindications - Pregnancy
    Back to Top
ganesha
LINGA MUDRA (Potency)
  • Clasp hands with right thumb on top; hold left thumb with right thumb and index finger
  • Hold in front of abdomen
  • Benefits - Stimulates digestion & immunity
  • Practice Tips - Use when you have a cold or are constipated
    Back to Top
linga
MAHASIRS MUDRA (Great Head)
  • Curl ring finger into palm; bring together tips of thumb, index & middle fingers; extend the little finger
  • Rest hands with palms up
  • Benefits - Draws energy down from head, draws awareness inward
  • Practice Tips - Use when you have head congestion or over-active thoughts
    Back to Top
mahasirs

MARMA MUDRA (Joints)

  • Right Hand: Touch tip of thumb and ring fingers together, extend all others
  • Left Hand: Touch tips of thumb and middle fingers together, extend all others
  • Rest hands with palms up
  • Benefits: Draws energy into the joints
  • Practice Tips - Good for arthritis
    Back to Top
marma
PASCHIMA MUDRA (Back of Body)
  • Right Hand: Touch tips of thumb, middle and little fingers together, extend all others
  • Left Hand: Press thumb on top of index finger nail, extend all others
  • Benefits - Draws energy into the back of the torso & head
  • Rest hands with palms up
  • Practice Tips - Good for back pain
  • Contraindications - Headache
    Back to Top
coming soon
PUSHAN MUDRA ()
  • Right Hand: Touch tips of thumb, index & middle fingers together, extend all others
  • Left Hand: Touch tips of thumb, middle & ring fingers together, extend all others
  • Rest hands with palms up
  • Benefits - Activates relaxation response, stimulates digestion
  • Practice Tips - Use when stressed or upset stomach
  • Back to Top
pushan
USHAS MUDRA
  • Clasp hands together and rest right thumb over the left thumb
  • Hold hands at abdomen
  • Benefits - Release endorphins
  • Practice Tips - Use with low immunity or cancer
  • Contraindications - Low blood pressure
  • Back to Top
ushas
UTTABODHI MUDRA
  • Clasp hands together and press index fingers togehter nad thumbs together
  • Press hands against sternum, thumbs down
  • Benefits - Draws energy into torso
  • Practice Tips - Use with respiratory conditions
  • Back to Top
uttabodhi
VAJRAPRADAMA MUDRA (Trust)
  • Clasp fingers and open palms toward heart; point thumbs upwards
  • Hold in front of heart
  • Benefits - Builds confidence, security, opens the heart very gently
  • Practice Tips - Use when frightened or anxious
  • Back to Top
vajrapradama
VARUNA MUDRA (Water)
  • Curl little finger of right hand into palm and hold in place with right thumb; wrap left fingers around back of righ thand and press left thumb over right thumb
  • Benefits - Balances water in body
  • Practice Tips - Use when dehydrated or bloated
  • Back to Top
varuna
VISHUDDHA MUDRA (Throat)
  • Pres thumbs onto sides of ring finger at middle joint, extend all others
  • Rest hands with palms up
  • Benefits - Activates and purifies the throat
  • Practice Tips - Use for blocked speech, thyroid imbalance
  • Contraindications - High blood pressure, stroke
  • Back to Top
visuddha
YONI MUDRA (Womb)
  • Clasp fingers inside palms, press index fingers together and press thumbs together
  • Benefits - nourishes female reproductive system
  • Practice Tips - Use for cramp, menopause or other reproductive issues
  • Contraindications - Pregnancy
  • Back to Top
yoni

Mudra Index:  Healing - Meditating - Grounding - Energizing - Therapeutic Index

This information is adapted from Professional Yoga Therapist Manual, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Joseph LePage, 2007. For more information on Mudras, please visit the Library.