List of mudras (yoga)

This is a list of Yoga mudras. In yoga, mudrās are used in conjunction with pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), generally while seated in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana pose, to stimulate different parts of the body and mind, and to affect the flow of prana in the body.

Hasta (hand mudras)

Hasta mudras are conducive for meditation, and help in internalisation.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Description
Anjali Mudra Gesture of reverence
Dhyana Mudra Psychic gesture of meditation
Vāyu Mudra Psychic gesture of air
Shunya Mudra Psychic gesture of void or empty
Prithvi Mudra Psychic gesture of earth
Varuna Mudra Psychic gesture of Rain
Shakti Mudra Psychic gesture of power
Hakini Mudra Hand-steepling or finger-tenting: joining matching fingertips of right and left hands[1]
Apāna Mudra Psychic gesture of life force
Gyana Mudra Psychic gesture of knowledge
Chin Mudra Psychic gesture of consciousness Tip of thumb and index finger touching. Middle, ring and little finger extended.
Chinmya Mudra
Yoni Mudra Attitude of the womb or source
Bhairav Mudra Fierce or terrifying attitude
Hridaya Mudra Heart gesture
Vishnu Mudra Hand gesture of Lord Vishnu Thumb, ring and little finger extended. Index and middle finger touching pad of thumb.

Mana (head mudras)

Mana mudras are an important part of Kundalini yoga, and many are important meditation techniques in their own right.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Shambhavi Mudra Eyebrow centre gazing
Nasikagra Drishti Nosetip gazing
Khechari Mudra Tongue lock
Kaki mudra The crow's beak
Bhujangini Mudra Cobra respiration
Bhoochari Mudra Gazing into nothingness
Akashi mudra Awareness of inner space
Shanmukhi mudra Closing the seven gates
Unmani Mudra The attitude of mindlessness

Kaya (postural mudras)

Kaya mudras combine physical postures with breathing and concentration.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Prana Mudra Invocation of energy
Vipareeta Karani Mudra Inverted psychic attitude
Yoga Mudra Attitude of psychic union
Pashinee Mudra Folded psychic attitude
Manduki Mudra Gesture of the frog
Tadagi Mudra Barrelled abdomen technique

Bandha (lock mudras)

Bandha mudras combine mudra and bandha.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Maha Mudra Great psychic attitude
Maha Bheda Mudra The great separating attitude
Maha Vedha Mudra The great piercing attitude

Adhara (perineal mudras)

Adhara mudras redirect prana from the lower centres to the brain.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Ashwini Mudra Horse gesture
Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra Thunderbolt/Spontaneous psychic attitude

See also

References

  1. "Hakini Mudra for Brain Power". Retrieved 19 March 2016.

Further reading

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