Mudras
Hand and body gestures, what they are said to do, and how they are traditionally held.
Adi Mudra
The 'primal' soft fist with the thumb tucked inside the curled fingers, used to deepen and relax the breath.
Agni (Surya) Mudra
Ring finger folded to the base of the thumb — traditionally kindling the fire element and metabolism.
Anjali Mudra
Palms together at the heart — the gesture of centering, reverence and gratitude.
Apana Mudra
Middle and ring fingertips to thumb — traditionally to support elimination and downward flow.
Apana Vayu (Heart) Mudra
A combined gesture traditionally called the 'heart mudra' for calm and steadiness.
Bhairava Mudra
The right hand resting palm-up on the left in the lap — a simple meditation gesture uniting the two sides.
Brahma Mudra
Both hands in soft thumb-in fists pressed knuckle-to-knuckle at the navel, a gesture for full, expansive breathing.
Chin Mudra
Thumb and index fingertip joined, other fingers extended — the classic gesture of steady, receptive awareness in meditation.
Dhyana Mudra
Both hands cupped in the lap — the classical gesture of deep meditation.
Garuda Mudra
The 'eagle' gesture — hands crossed at the wrists with thumbs hooked and fingers spread like wings — to enliven circulation and energy.
Gyan Mudra
Index fingertip to thumb tip — the classic gesture of knowledge and meditation.
Hakini Mudra
All five fingertips of both hands touching — traditionally for focus and memory.
Hridaya Mudra
The tips of the middle and ring fingers meet the thumb while the index folds to the thumb's base — a heart-directing gesture.
Kubera Mudra
Thumb, index and middle fingertips joined with the last two fingers folded to the palm — a gesture of focused intention.
Linga Mudra
Interlaced fingers with one thumb upright — traditionally warming for cold and congestion.
Matangi Mudra
Interlaced fingers with the middle fingers extended and touching, held at the solar plexus for digestive and inner-fire balance.
Mukula Mudra
All five fingertips drawn together into a 'bud,' used to direct concentrated energy to a specific area of the body.
Prana Mudra
Thumb meeting ring and little fingertips — a gesture traditionally said to awaken vitality (prana) and steadiness.
Prithvi Mudra
Ring fingertip to thumb — traditionally grounding, for the earth element and stability.
Pushan Mudra
An asymmetric digestive gesture — the two hands hold different finger combinations to support digestion and the flow of prana.
Rudra Mudra
Thumb, index and ring fingertips joined — a solar-plexus gesture to centre energy and relieve exhaustion or dizziness.
Shankha Mudra
The 'conch' gesture — one thumb enclosed by the other hand's fingers with the thumbs touching — used in worship and for the throat.
Shunya Mudra
Middle finger folded to the thumb base — traditionally associated with the ear and space.
Surya (Agni) Mudra
Ring finger folded to the thumb base — traditionally to kindle the fire element/metabolism.
Varuna Mudra
Little fingertip to thumb — traditionally for the water element and hydration.
Vayu Mudra
Index finger folded to the thumb base — traditionally to settle excess vata (air).
Vyana Mudra
Tips of the index and middle fingers meet the thumb to support vyana vayu — the circulating, all-pervading breath.
Yoni Mudra
Interlaced hands forming a downward 'source' triangle with joined thumbs and index fingers — a gesture of withdrawal and grounding.
Educational information about Ayurveda, Siddha and Yoga — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified professional before starting any herb, supplement, or therapy.