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Mudras
Mudras (gesture, seal) are subtle physical movements of the hands,
face, and or body. Complex mudras involve the whole body in a
combination of asana, pranayama, bandha and visualization, while
simple mudras range from hand positions to meditation techniques.
The purpose of a mudra is to activate and create a circuit of
prana in the body. This circuit channels the prana in a specific
way to create a subtle effect on koshas and to regulate and awaken
the prana, chakras and kundalini, Mudras are used only after
proficiency in asana, pranayama and bandha has been achieved, and
when one has obtained some cultivation and awareness of prana. In
hatha yoga, the level of progression is asana, pranayama, bandha,
mudra, samadhi. Thus, mudra is the advanced practice leading up
to the attainment of enlightenment or samadhi.
Mudras are the bestowers of the eight divine powers. They are
held in high esteem by all the siddhas and are difficult for even
the gods to attain.
(Hatha
Yoga Pradipika, 3:8)
Hasta (hand) mudras used primarily in meditation, but can also be
incorporated in asana and pranayama as well as in daily
activities. Hasta mudras redirect the prana traveling through the
fingers back into the body. These mudras are the most common and
numerous of the categories of mudras. Many of the hasta mudras
have been developed to help with mental and emotional issues as
well as heal physical diseases. Hasta mudras should be done with
both hands, with light pressure of the fingers and held for 5-45
minutes.
Mana (head) mudras utilize the sense organs of the eyes, ears,
nose, tongue and lips. These mudras are done only as meditation
exercises and require intense concentration to engage for even
short periods of time. Mana mudras are deeply inwardly focusing
and induce higher states of consciousness.
Contraction mudras involve the engagement of subtle skeletal
muscles, mostly in the area of the pelvis. These mudras
concentrate the prana in the body and prime the energy channels (nadis)
for the awakening of kundalini.
Kaya (postural) mudras are similar to asana, but combine the other
types of simple mudras with pranayama and concentration. These
are the most complicated mudras and require the most amounts of
concentration and focus to hold. Kaya mudras invigorate the prana
in the body and direct the prana into specific chakras (energy
centers).
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