Mudras are hands gestures whose origin goes back to ancient India, several millennia ago.
Omnipresent in Hindu dances, they tell us the story of the manifestation of God in the universe.
Meaning
The Sanskrit word mudra means “sign”, or “seal”. It comes from the terms: “mud” which means bliss, happiness and “dhra” which means dissolution. Each mudra has a deep meaning and has a part of the magic of Life.
Ancient Vedic tradition
According to the ancient tradition, our five fingers represent the five building blocks, or the five main elements of the universe (called Panchamahabhootas ).
Each finger has its function and its power within our body. When the fingers touch, the “nadis” (subtle energy channels) are connected and particular energy vibrations are activated. The different elements that make up our body and the entire universe can associate and cooperate.
Relationships between the fingers and the elements, according to Vedic tradition.
The thumb is connected to the Fire (Agni)
The forefinger is linked to the Air (Vayu)
The middle finger is connected to the Ether, the Sky (Akasha)
The ring finger is connected to the Earth (Prithvi)
The little finger is connected to the Water (Jala)
It is worth mentioning that the 5 elements do not refers to the same concepts in the Indian and Chinese culture, the correspondences also change (learn more about the 5 Chinese elements here).
Benefits on health and well-being
Using mudras regularly is a natural way to improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Murdas is practiced by creating, with one’s fingers, particular forms that generate energy and subtle vibrations that care for the body and the mind.
It also includes the principle of Asanas (postures of yoga). Moreover, mudras are often referred to as ” finger yoga”.
Practiced regularly, the mudras improve our general health, and harmony body-spirit-universe.
Our hands can replace our eyes in the dark, they can also be used to communicate with our fellow humans and with the rest of the universe. Our hands are the first means of expression before one learn how to speak!
Our destiny rests in our hands, and this expression is to be taken literally and figuratively.
Discover 17 mudras with Arasia:
It takes us back to the path of the heart.
The 2 hands together represent our spiritual and material parts, or the solar and lunar energies, which are gathered here. Key word light.
6 – Shunya or Shuny Mudra. Here the middle finger (associated with ether) activated invites us to explore space. It is also the mudra of heaven and paradise. – at ARASIA-SHOP.
It also promotes relaxation, all tensions are released.
Bhu mudra encourage la stabilité et le sentiment de sécurité. Il fortifie la connexion avec la Terre mère ainsi qu’avec notre corps. Développe la patience. Mudra d’ancrage, excellent pour les voyageurs. Mot clé : connexion – à ARASIA-SHOP.
This mudra is effective for refocusing and becoming fully aware of one’s personal power.
Very good against depression.
The 2 thumbs come together, the energy circulates, the hands form a dome. You can meditate on emptiness. This mudra is frequently associated with Buddha. – at ARASIA-SHOP.
Indispensable in the practice of yoga or meditation.
Chin Mudra (fingers turned towards the Earth): increases self-understanding.
Gyan Mudra (fingers facing the sky) increases understanding of the universe.
Soothing effect, increases concentration and receptivity.
The index finger represents the human being, the individual soul (atman or ego), and the thumb represents the divine, or the universal soul (Brahman or the Absolute)
The fire (the thumb) associates with the air (the index finger), and this forms a circle so that the energy circulates inside without going out outside.
– hands placed at chest level should pull in opposite directions
– this mudra works on the opening of Anahata, heart chakra, the ability to receive and give love
– resolves respiratory problems and improves the functioning of the heart –
It is the mount of Vishnu, the god of time and the stability of the world, who maintains Life and Creation.
Is there a mudra, that speeds up perception so, that everything around you seems to slow down?
Hi Konstantin, this is Kalesvara Mudra