What Is a Mudra?
“A mudra is a symbolic, ritual gesture, which is mainly used in yoga and meditation.”
The term is Sanskrit and means “gesture”, “brand” or “seal”. These gestures are especially
important in Buddhism and Hinduism. That’s why some call them Buddhist hand symbol(s)
or gesture(s), which is not accurate. A mudra does not necessarily have to be interpreted
religiously.
Most people know them only as hand positions, but there are numerous types of mudras,
which are all different in themselves. For example, hand mudras are known to influence the
flow of energy in the body and help you open your chakras.
It’s assumed that each mudra has its own effect on body and mind. Although hand or rather
finger mudras are most common in yoga and meditation, there are also body, heart and
perineal mudras. You can read more about this and about the different effects of the gestures
during meditation, in this chapter.
Just this much in advance: After all, meditation is about your personal well-being. That’s why
you should pick the gestures and positions that make you feel best.
Mudra Benefits
Each type of mudra has an individual effect on your mind and body. Generally speaking,
mudras have two great advantages in meditation: They help you to relax and increase your
ability to concentrate.
Their calming effect helps you to meditate in a more concentrated way, making it easier for
you to maintain a good posture.
Mindmonia expert tip: Combine mudras with mantras to enjoy an even better
meditation experience.
Think about it this way: Mantras keep your mind busy while mudras give your hands
something to do. They are the optimal tool to improve your meditation practice, especially for
people who have problems keeping their bodies still while meditating.
But why do hand positions actually help to keep your own body still?
Since we feel with our hands and thus “receive” one of our seven senses through our hands,
they have a deep connection to the brain. Therefore, the way we hold our hands can influence
the way we set our minds and bodies.
Types of Mudras and Their Meaning
As mentioned above, there are several types of mudras. The ingenious thing is that they can
be used independently during meditation. To take your meditation practice to the next level,
you can use several during one meditation session.
Hasta – Hand Mudras / Finger Mudras
Māna – Head Mudras
Kaya – Body Mudras
Bandha – Heart Mudra
Adhara – Perineal Mudras
Of all types, hand mudras or rather finger mudras, are the best-known ones. That is why this
article focuses on this kind of gesture. All the others are listed in the last chapter.
Mudras List
In total there are more than 30 different hand mudras, all of which can be combined with
other mudra types. For example, you can combine a hand mudra with a body or heart mudra
while meditating. In the following overview, we will explain the 11 most important ones that
we at Mindmonia have used for the best results.
Hand Mudra (Hasta Mudra)
Hand mudras are the easiest to perform and are therefore particularly suitable for beginners.
In the right column, you will find the meaning of each one. Decide for yourself which hand
posture you would like to integrate into your meditation exercises.
Name Meaning
Vayu Mudra Air
Shunya Mudra Void
Hridaya Mudra Heart
Varuna Mudra Rain
Shakti Mudra Power
Prithvi Mudra Earth mudra
Bhairav Mudra Unbending
Ksepana Mudra Remove negative energy
Vitarka Mudra Logic
Kubera Mudra Wealth
Ganesha Mudra Self-confidence and courage
Kalesvara Mudra Calms the mind
Surya Mudra Fire mudra
Lotus Mudra Heart chakra
Garuda Mudra Air, Eagle
Uttarabodhi Mudra Enlightenment
Shiva Linga Mudra Balance between femininity and masculinity
Kundalini Mudra Sexuality
Vajra Mudra Balancing the elements
Matangi Mudra Stress reduction
Surabhi Mudra Fulfillment of wishes
Kali Mudra Destruction of evil
Mushti Mudra Anger control
Ushas Mudra The source of all good things
Head Mudras (Māna)
For head mudras, you use your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and lips.
Name Meaning
Shambhavi Mudra Centre of the eyebrows (observation)
Shanmukhi Mudra Closing the seven gates
Khechari Mudra Tongue lock (silence)
Kaki Mudra Crow’s bill
Bhujangini Mudra Respiration of the Cobra
Unmani Mudra Attitude of thoughtlessness
Akashi Mudra Awareness for your inner self
Body Mudras (Kaya)
Yoga positions have similarities to these mudras. You use your entire body to benefit from
the desired effects. Especially in meditation, you can use these mudras to keep things
interesting so as not to always sit in the lotus position.
Name Meaning
Pashinee Mudra The folded mudra
Manduki Mudra The Frog
Tadagi Mudra Block belly technique
Bhumisparsha Mudra The earth is a witness
Heart Mudra (Bandha)
Bandha mudras are advanced exercises that not everyone knows how to master. They are
mainly used in yoga.
Name Meaning
Uddiyana Bandha Blockade flying upwards
Mula Bandha Root blockage
Maha Mudra Great mudra
Perineal Mudras (Adhara)
Adhara mudras often refer to sexuality.
Name Meaning
Vajroli Mudra Thunderstorms
Maha Bheda Mudra The great divisive mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra The great penetrating mudra
Ashwini Mudra Horse gesture
A mudra is a symbolic, ritual gesture (or posture), which is used primarily in yoga and
meditation for a better experience. Many think primarily of hand positions that are only used
in meditation.
However, there are other, rather unknown mudras besides the hand or rather finger mudras:
Head mudras
Body mudras
Heart mudras
Perineal mudras
Another factor that also plays an important role is your personal well-being. If you feel
uncomfortable while meditating with a certain gesture, well, then don’t. Mudras can be an
obstacle for a liberating meditation experience and therefore counterproductive if you don’t
feel comfortable using them.
