Chakra Hand Mudras

Chakra Hand Mudras

Mudras are specific gestures used to lock in energy. They can involve the hands, eyes, or the whole body. These various physical expressions are used in yoga to aid concentration and deepen awareness. Mudras for hands work by influencing the five elements. Each finger represents a different element: The thumbs relate to fire. The index fingers relate to air. The middle fingers relate to space. The ring fingers relate to earth. The pinky fingers relate to water. Touching the fingers together in particular gestures affects the five elements within. Prana that would normally dissipate through the fingers is redirected inward, and this effect can be felt instantly as an energy surge. Mudras integrate the annamaya kosha (physical body) with the manomaya kosha (mental body) and the pranamaya kosha (pranic body). This is why we can feel their effects, as they develop our mental awareness of the flow of prana throughout the physical body. Although there are variations, here are the main chakra hand mudras that can be used for balance, health, awareness and higher consciousness.

Sahasrara Mudra

Translation: "thousand" / "crown chakra" How to: Interlace your fingers except the pinky fingers. Pinky fingers connected and pointed upwards. Chakra sound: Long A-A-A-A-N-G Effects: Sahasrara is the "Lotus of the Thousand Petals" located four finger-breadths above the crown of the head. linked to the crown chakra. It helps to gain intuitive knowledge: deeper understanding of oneness consciousness; experiencing the realms beyond our physical senses; integration, expression and actualisation of such peak experiences.

Ajna Mudra

Translation: "perceiving" / "third eye chakra" How to: Curl your fingers together except the middle fingers. Middle fingers connected and pointed upwards. Bring your thumbs together. Chakra sound: Long -A-A-A-A-U-M Effects: The Anja chakra or "third eye chakra" provides clear perception: psychic abilities; clairvoyance and reliable intuition; seeing energy within and beyond form.

Visshuda Mudra

Translation: "expression" / "throat chakra" How to: Place your hands by your stomach, palms upwards; interlace your fingers. bring your thumbs together. Chakra sound: Long H-A-A-A-A-M Effects The Vusshuda chakra or "throat chakra" provides expressing yourself authentically and clearly; being listened to as an authoritative voice; inspirational and creative communication; hearing what has not been said; offering sound advice to others; not being afraid of asking for what you want in life; speaking the truth.

Anhata Mudra

Translation: "love" / "heart chakra" How to: Place your right hand next to your heart, palms upwards. Thumb and index finger touching at the heart centre. Chakra sound: Long Y-A-A-A-A-M Effects: The Anhata chakra or heart chakra opens you up to allow love, abundance and fulfilment of desires. Aligns you universally to take you to your goals and attracts personal and career success. Heals you from depression, blood pressure, allergies, cholesterol and other ailments related to the heart.

Manipura Mudra

Translation: "will power" / 'solar plexus chakra" How to: Place both hands next to your solar plexus two inches below your naval. All fingers connected and facing outward with thumbs interlinked. Chakra sound: Long R-A-A-A-A-M Effects: The Manipura or solar plexus chakra helps to align your spine, creating vertical balance in your body; cultivating feelings of physical and emotional equilibrium. It affects the steadiness at the horizontal centre of your body, thus promoting emotional and energetic balance.

Swadhisthana Mudra

Translation: “one's own abode” / "sacral chakra"

How to: Place hands on your lap, palms facing upwards and connect your thumbs together. Chakra sound: Long V-A-A-A-A-M Effects: Equals cohesiveness and balance leading to feelings of wellness, abundance, pleasure, and joy.

Muladhara Mudra

Translation: "survival" / "root chakra" How to: Rest hands over each knee palm facing upwards, thumb touching your index finger. Chakra sound: Long L-A-A-A-A-M Effects: Grounds you to stability in your life. This includes your basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as your more emotional needs such as letting go of fear. To benefit from any of these healing mudras, practise for 5 to 30 minutes a day. You can also break this down as three minutes, twice daily if you are pressed for time.