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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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UTTABODHI MUDRA
- Clasp hands together and press index fingers together and thumbs together
- Press hands against sternum, thumbs down
- Benefits - Draws energy into torso
- Practice Tips - Use with respiratory conditions
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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
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VARUNA MUDRA (Water)
- Curl little finger of right hand into palm and hold in place with right thumb; wrap left fingers around back of right hand and press left thumb over right thumb
- Benefits - Balances water in body
- Practice Tips - Use when dehydrated or bloated
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VISHUDDHA MUDRA (Throat)
- Press 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
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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
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This information is adapted from Professional Yoga Therapist Manual, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Joseph LePage, 2007 and Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands, Gertrud Hirschi, 20
00. For more information on Mudras, please visit the Library.