The Magic of Finger Yoga

The Magic of Finger Yoga
Back Roads Marketing
The Magic of Finger

Yoga
Colin Joss
5/4/2007
1
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2 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents
Disclaimer................................................................................................................................................ 2
Chapter 1................................................................................................................................................. 6
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 2................................................................................................................................................. 9
Origins and Practice of Mudras........................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 3............................................................................................................................................... 12
Key Concepts in the Understanding of Mudras ................................................................................ 12
Circuits, Chakras, Nadis, Energy Flow / Balance ........................................................................... 12
Chapter 4............................................................................................................................................... 16
Mudras and their Symbolic Meaning ................................................................................................ 16
Energy Mudras .............................................................................................................................. 17
Seeking Solutions .......................................................................................................................... 18
Character Building ......................................................................................................................... 19
Spirituality ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Relationships ................................................................................................................................. 21
Releasing the Past ......................................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 5............................................................................................................................................... 25
Breathing and Meditation ................................................................................................................. 25
Proper Breathing for Mudras ........................................................................................................ 25
Meditation .................................................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 6............................................................................................................................................... 29
Music, Colors and Visualization ........................................................................................................ 29
Music ............................................................................................................................................. 29
Colors ............................................................................................................................................ 30
Visualization .................................................................................................................................. 32
Chapter 7............................................................................................................................................... 34
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 34
Appendix A ............................................................................................................................................ 35
List of Mudras ................................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix B ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Recommended Readings .................................................................................................................. 37
Appendix C ............................................................................................................................................ 39
List of References .............................................................................................................................. 39

Books (alphabetically arranged) ................................................................................................... 39

Web Sites (in the order in which they were cited in this ebook).................................................. 39

Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes
all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self–realization. Yoga means union – the union of
body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a
balanced attitude in day–to–day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions.
– B.K.S. Iyengar, Astadala Yogamala

Chapter 1
Introduction
Picture this… You aren’t sure if you’ve stepped into a yoga class or a beginners contortionist course
for the circus. You stare, unbelieving. You back off two steps and decide to head for the exit. Those
movements!
Let’s face it. Not everyone has a flexible trunk or agile legs that transform into an elegant arch over
one’s head in a matter of seconds. If the yoga schools in your community somehow neglected to
consider that portion of the human population with back problems which includes you, don’t
despair. Yoga has reached a level of versatility to welcome even the most unbending of postures. It
isn’t just about the lotus position, the sun worship, forward fold and threading the needle, it’s also
about grace and meaningful slow motion to bring you in closer communion with the universe and
your inner self.
How can standing on your head make you think of communicating with your inner voice when you
have to concentrate on not falling or hurting yourself? Some of the positions look bloody painful.
Isn’t there an easier way of practicing yoga and still get the same benefits? Something more subtle
but equally symbolic, more fluid but conducive to bringing all five senses alive to help you achieve
the balance – mental and spiritual – that you seek from yoga?
Take heart. The answer lies in your hands, as well as in your fingers. Hands and fingers that convey
truth and meaning. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how they can be harnessed to restore balance of
body and soul and attract the sometimes elusive tranquility that we crave for as we struggle with
our noisy and polluted urban existence.
Yoga of the hands. Or simply – finger yoga. More specifically, we’re referring to mudras.
What are Mudras?
Some mentors say that to understand a concept, don’t define it; put it in context. First conjure up a
situation and try to uncover as many implications there are from that situation. Only then, the
mentors say, can you fully appreciate the definition of a word.
Mudras are no exception. Mudras belong to a realm of spirituality that defy definition. In fact,
there’s no point defining them – except for academic purposes – if you don’t practice them. When
you engage in the practice of mudras and you’re able to muster imagination, creativity and force,
you can then begin to feel their power and their natural ability to help you achieve inner happiness.
Imagine yourself in these two scenes:
Scene 1: That solid feeling…
Back in high school, did you ever build a molecule? You'd take colored plastic balls and stick them
together to make a water molecule or a carbon molecule. Holding that plastic ball in your hand you
felt that an atom was a solid mass. As you learned more about protons, neutrons, and electrons in
your science classes, you still believed that they, too, were solid.

But they’re not.
Let’s go to the second scene.
Scene 2: That moving feeling…
Now picture yourself sitting alone in a darkened movie theater. Except for the tick–tick–tick of the
old fashioned movie projector, the theater is quiet. You’re watching an old Laurel and Hardy film in
which they’re struggling to hoist a piano up a steep flight of stairs. A few minutes pass and the
projector grinds to a halt. You look at the screen ahead and see two halves of a frame. In between
those two halves, there’s a very dark gap. What appeared to be a seamless moving picture is
actually a series of still images.
The same principle applies to the particles that make up an atom – in scene 1. Rather than a solid
mass, these particles are forms of energy vibrating at incredible speeds. Just like frames in a movie
projected at high speed that give the illusion of movement, energy vibrating at high speed gives the
illusion of solidity.
However there’s one distinct difference. Take the example of a movie where the faster the frames
are projected, the better the illusion of movement is. It is different with energy: the faster energy
vibrates, the less solid it appears.
Water, for example, moves faster than a rock. Because of this, one characteristic of water is that it
easily changes. A rock does not – at least not immediately. Over time, the water will erode the
surface of a rock, turning it from a rough boulder to a smooth pebble.
You’re probably unaware, but you are a stream of energy. And like a rock, you will change with the
passage of time. Of course you have one advantage over a rock. You have the choice of using this
energy to change. That change could be to transition to a higher level of happiness that you did not
think possible.
The practice of mudras is one way of making life changes for the better.
Now that you’re in the proper context, let’s define mudras. I’ll begin with the most basic, standard
definition, and then I’ll provide two other definitions to complete the landscape. This way,you’ll get
a clearer idea of what they are and how they’re practiced, given that yoga is a very vast field of
knowledge and practice. Different types of yoga have given rise to different interpretations. This
has sometimes created confusion.
Back in school, when our teachers asked us to research on an unknown concept, our first instinct
was to consult an encyclopedia. Here’s how Wikipedia defines mudras:
Basic definition: The word mudra comes from Sanskrit, meaning to seal. It is a symbolic gesture
made with the hands and fingers. Mudras evolved from Hinduism, but they have since been
integrated into the practice of Buddhism. Observers will notice that certain hand movements are

done in both Hinduism and Buddhism.1 While there are mudras that apply to other parts of the
body – the tongue for instance – our focus is on the mudras of the hands and fingers.
Second definition: In the basic definition, it said that mudras symbolized a sealing of energy. A
mudra is a patterned movement of the fingers that conveys an idea or emotion. Mudras create an
energy field that can be used for healing, but generally, they connote a higher state of
consciousness.2 Each finger is a representative symbol of the five basic elements of the human
body: air, water, fire, earth and aakash, a term that denotes the space between cells. By putting
your hands together or folding your fingers in a certain way, you release calming energies to soothe
the turmoil that occurs in any of these five elements; hence it is your fingers that restore the proper
balance between them.
Third definition: This will be an extension of the basic and second definitions of mudras. You’ve
already discovered that mudras are symbolic gestures of the hands and fingers that seal the energy
inside us. The fingers represent the five basic elements of air, water, fire, earth and aakash. The
next logical question is: which element is represented by each finger?
Finger Element
Thumb Fire
Index Air
Middle Aakash
Ring Earth
Little Water
This just about completes the description of mudras. Fortunately there’s more, but before going
into the practice of mudras, let’s take a few steps back into their origins.
1 Mudra. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudras>, December 31, 2006.
2 Tatva Yoga. < http://mudra_makers.tripod.com/index.html>, December 31, 2006.

Chapter 2
Origins and Practice of Mudras
You know that language systems evolved much later after man was first sighted on earth. Primitive
man had to invent a way to convey his thoughts and feelings. His hands and fingers naturally
performed that task of communicating for him. That is how gestures came to be.
Although it cannot be established when and where these gestures were coded and systematized, it
is a fact that peoples of all ancient cultures had to make use of their hands to convey ideas or warn
of the enemy. Hand gestures prevailed in religion, the arts, human interaction and later among
merchant and building circles. Leonard Lee cites the Masons as an example when the Comacines –
identified as the builders of Europe’s finest cathedrals – used hand signs to communicate with each
other.
The practice of Hinduism and later Buddhism necessitated the formation of mudras for introducing
yoga to existing and future practitioners. Afterwards, mudras also became useful in developing
ceremonies and rituals, notably in drama and dance. Some of the mudras formed for these
purposes were purely symbolic; still others were attributed with spiritual or metaphysical qualities.
Yogis in ancient Hinduism and Buddhism came up with hundreds of mudras, but in spite of this huge
number, four basic hand positions are common:
Open palm
Hollowed palm
Closed fist
Hand with fingertips together3
Symbolisms and signs have mysterious meanings particularly in religious ceremonies. They were
said to be vital components of ancient cultures because they had the inherent power to
communicate with gods in the heavens, to unleash force and power, and in some cases to alter the
environment. This in turn made artists act cautiously so that they did not misrepresent mudras and
hence incur the anger of the supernatural beings.
In 99% of the cases, the hands have historically been the symbols of prayer. Note that around 1500
BC, Ra – Egypt’s powerful deity – was depicted as a sunburst, each ray ending up in an open hand.
For worshipping Christians, the prayer mudra is symbolized by putting the hands together at the
heart.
3 Lee, Leonard. Mudras and Hand Symbolism. What are Mudras? Part I. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Mudras-and-
Hand-Symbolism:-What-Are-Mudras?-Part-1&id=332322>, December 31, 2006.

To understand the beginnings of mudras, we need to trace Buddhism at least in the symbolic level.
The Reverend Jnana, a Zen Dharma teacher at the International Buddhist and Meditation Center of
Los Angeles says that the mudra constitutes a fundamental element in Buddhist iconography – it is
one of the six key iconographic themes in Buddhism, especially esoteric Buddhism.
According to Reverend Jnana, the subject of mudras is so extensive that it is sometimes difficult,
even for teachers, to explain them in their complexity. But their origins may be traced to India’s
post–Vedic literature era, and most of that literature confirms that mudras are “sealing” elements;
eventually they were viewed as a “way of holding the fingers” to represent a ritual gesture with a
seal of authenticity. As Buddhism traveled to China, mudras came to be identified also as an
identification marker, usually that for a deity.
There are two types of mudras. The first type belongs to pre–Buddhist times that are closely
associated with esoteric ceremonies. These are the mudras that are employed in the rites and
teachings of Tibetan Tantrism, Chinese Chen–yen and Japanese Shingon, each a distinct version of
Buddhism.
The second type is the expanded use of mudras. For purposes of this ebook, however, we’ll
concentrate only on the general types of mudras. By the mid–7th Century C.E., more than 130
mudras were recorded: 31 for the Great Buddhas, 57 for the great deities and 45 for others.4
As Buddhism spread in other parts of Asia, mudras underwent significant modifications, not only in
form but also in meaning. The farther they moved away from their country of origin, the more
apparent these modifications became.
Despite this pattern of modification, the purpose and rationale for mudras have not changed. They
seek to improve the essence of an individual and the direction he wants his life to take.
Practice of Mudras
Your hands are one of your best physical assets. They’re probably also your most powerful since
they are visible and flexible and may contain a hundred and one messages that are able to transmit
signals and emotions if you want them to.
Remember all the films you’ve watched with characters who are blind or who can’t speak. They
used their hands to convey their happiness and ecstasy, their fears and their loneliness. You’ve seen
many film sequences where the cameras focus on the movement of the hands – as in a blind woman
who gently touches her lover’s face, feeling every facial detail, the folds of the skin, the smoothness
of the complexion – to get an idea of what he looked like.
The hands therefore are marvelous givers and receivers of symbolic communication.
Mudras then would rely solely on the hands for them to allow the energy to flow, the way a ripple in
the water glides from one wave to the next.
4 Reverend Jnana. Mudras in Buddhism. <http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma7/mudras.html>, December 31,
2006.

Let your fingers do the talking. Let your hands dance. They are you. They express what is inside
your consciousness so that you can express them with more meaning and share these meanings with
others. They are like a conduit for energy, helping the mind to focus. This is why mudras crystallize
the idea that our hands can play an incredible role in our life. Studies have shown that when people
make gestures with their hands and arms, it helps them become better thinkers. Let’s not forget the
wonderful effect that touching another person generates. When someone is in need of consolation
and comfort, most times our silence is compensated for by our touch.
Mudras can be practiced anywhere – and everywhere. Practicing them is not time or labor–
intensive because you need only a few minutes a day. You can do some stress–relieving motions
while working at your desk, waiting in line, walking towards the parking lot or sitting in traffic.
For every aspect of your life, there is one or two and sometimes even a handful of mudras you can
do. You can use any of them to communicate with devi, the cosmic energy.
In practicing mudras, you can use either one or both hands. The right hand represents the outer self
and the left the inner self. Since each finger has its own meaning, the type of mudra will depend on:
Where the fingers touch
Where the hands are located or positioned
How the mudra is placed in sequence
There is a dance–like pattern in which a sequence of mudras is performed. If mudras are practiced
regularly and consistently, there are positive benefits to be gained. They impact our lives in such a
way that we would not want to stop doing them. As we feel the increased energy flow, mudras
become ingrained in our being – a vital part of our existence.

Chapter 3
Key Concepts in the Understanding of Mudras
More than a hundred! That’s the “mudra population” and it’s still growing, since yoga has branched
out considerably, giving rise to numerous symbols, interpretations and teachings. In the more
specialized field of mudras, the same phenomenon can be observed. There are mudras for every
part of the body, so when we say “finger yoga”, we’re referring basically to mudras of the hands and
fingers.
Before we discuss a sampling of mudras and what each symbolizes, we need to familiarize ourselves
with certain key concepts to help us understand the essence of mudras. These key concepts include
circuits, chakras, nadis, energy flow and balance. Since mudras are also associated with music, color
and meditation, we will also be discussing these concepts in later chapters.
Circuits, Chakras, Nadis, Energy Flow / Balance

You’ve probably looked into a circuit board of a radio or television, a telephone circuit box (the
familiar sight you see hidden in walls of office buildings), a hydro–electric power supply source or
your own personal computer. How does the circuit board look? You see thin and thick color–coded
wires intertwined with each other, little buttons with grey caps and steel threads that look like
nerves coiling around sticks and short poles. To someone who has a soft spot for circuit boards, he
believes it’s an incredible maze of points communicating with one another, each point with a specific
role to play.
Now transfer this imaginary circuit board into the human anatomy. You’ll probably see something
like this:
Your body is a mass of electric currents that thread around like curling freeways. These currents are
called Nadis. There are 72,000 electric currents that run throughout your body from the toes up to
the top of your head and in your fingertips. They are unobstructed, vigorous channels of energy that
carry a life–force for optimum health and empowerment. Practicing mudras reactivate and
reenergise the nadis.
Nadis therefore are the internal channels or pathways – think “power lines” – through which prana
flows in the body. Prana is the universal life force, and is sometimes called chi. Some people
believe that nadis extend only up to the skin’s surface, but they are believed by many to extend
towards the boundary of the aura.
Two nadis found in the brain – Ida and Pingala – represent the two hemispheres of the brain. Pingala
is the extroverted, solar nadi, and corresponds to the left side of the brain. Ida is the introverted,
lunar nadi, and corresponds to the right hand side of the brain. To make the concept of nadis
clearer, imagine it as a “stream”, a gentle and graceful flowing of water or air. The two brain nadis
are stimulated when Pranayama is practiced; that is, alternative breathing between the left and right
nostrils which in turn sends the flow straight to the left and right sides of the brain.
Let’s now go to chakras.

In its most minimalist description, chakras are the points through which energy flows. Remember
what we said about the nadis acting as conduits for this energy; this type of definition however has
not yet been accepted by mainstream science.
Like we said earlier, there are 72,000 nadis in the human body. All of them begin from the central
“tunnel” of the chakras and extend to the peripheries where they gradually become thinner.
Have you ever heard the expression, “wheel of life?” That’s where chakras come from. In fact, the
Sanskrit word, cakra, is referred to as the wheel of life. Opinions vary as to the number of chakras in
the human body. Some say five, others say seven, still others believe there are eight. The chakras
are aligned in the center of the body and go from the base of the spine to the head. Each chakra is
associated with a specific color – at least that’s how new age thinkers like to think of them; more
importantly, however, they govern an individual’s psychological make–up. While chakras are also
associated with multiple physiological functions and aspects of consciousness, they have come to
symbolize a person’s emotions and abilities.
Chakras have a specific role: to sustain and hold together the universal life force so that we maintain
balance in our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical lives.
We have discussed circuits, nadis and chakras and we have a rough idea of how these three are
inter–related. We now come to the last concept: energy flow and balance. In order not to
complicate the picture by sounding too esoteric with many foreign–sounding concepts, we’ll stick to
the basics for now.
It may be helpful to bear in mind that chakras contribute to the whole of our being. They are
responsible for making us wholesome and putting us in sync with our thoughts and feelings.
Unfortunately this sync is not always attained. The reason is that some chakras are not sufficiently
open (they have narrow openings and are under–active) while others are over–active (to
compensate for the under–active ones). What we want to achieve is perfect balance, not a
collection of under–active and over–active chakras.
Why don’t we examine the seven chakras and see how they relate to our psychological make–up?
Note that we’ll provide only an overview so as not to deviate too much from the subject of mudras
which follows in Chapter 4.
1. Root chakra (Muladhara) – have you at certain moments of your life felt that you were all there
physically, your body and spirit in harmony and feeling at home and very comfortable, confidently
dealing with whatever situation you faced? This means that the Root chakra is doing the work it’s
supposed to be doing. If it is open, you feel grounded, stable and secure. You generally trust in
people and regard them as good beings. You’re very much in control of the here and now and in
tune with your physical self. You have sufficient space around you, and your instincts, sense of
security and survival are finely–tuned.
An under–active root chakra tends to make you fearful or nervous, and ill at ease even in your own
space. An over–active root chakra, on the other hand, could mean you are being materialistic and
greedy. Because you cling to security, you have a tendency to resist change at all costs.

2. Sacral chakra (Swadhisthana) – this is located in the groin, and is related to base emotion,
sexuality and creativity.5 This chakra is said to cause dramatic mood swings. When it is open, your
feelings are expressed and flow freely, minus the over–emotional part in you. You are receptive to
intimacy and you can be passionate and lively. You have no problems dealing with your sexuality.
If the sacral chakra is under–active, you tend to be stiff and unemotional (like wearing a "poker
face") and not very open to people. If this chakra is over–active, you tend to be emotional all the
time. You feel a strong emotional attachment to people and you can be very sexual.
3. Navel chakra (Manipura) – sometimes also called the solar plexus chakra. It relates to the
transition from base to higher emotion, energy, assimilation and digestion, and is said to correspond
to the roles played by the pancreas and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex.
The Navel chakra governs how you assert yourself in a group. When it is open, you feel in control
and have sufficient self esteem. When it is under–active, you tend to be passive and indecisive,
because you’re timid and don't get what you want. If this chakra is over–active, you are
domineering and aggressive.
4. Heart chakra (Anahata) – you guessed it! This chakra relates to your higher emotions, sense of
compassion, love, equilibrium, and well–being. It is linked to the thymus which is located in the
chest, and is part of the immune and endocrine systems. It produces T cells that are responsible for
fighting off disease. Stress would adversely affect its functions. When the heart chakra is open, you
are compassionate and friendly, and you work at developing harmonious relationships. When your
Heart chakra is under–active, you are cold and distant. An over–active heart chakra means you are
suffocating people with your selfish love.
5. Throat chakra (Vishuddha) – signifies communication and growth, growth being a form of
expression. This chakra is linked to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat, and which
produces thyroid hormone, responsible for growth and maturation.6 When the throat chakra is
open, you have no problems expressing yourself, and you might be doing so as an artist. When this
chakra is under–active, you rarely speak, because of you are shy and an introvert. By not speaking
the truth, you may be blocking this chakra. If it’s over–active, you tend to speak too much, to the
point of being domineering and keeping people at a distance. This makes you a bad listener.
6. Third Eye chakra (Ajna) is linked to the pineal gland, and symbolizes time, awareness and light.
The qualities of insight and visualization are governed by the third eye chakra. When it is open, you
have a good intuition, but you may tend to fantasize. If it is under–active, you have difficulty
thinking for yourself, and you may tend to rely too much on authority. You could be inflexible in the
way you think, putting emphasis on established beliefs. You might get confused easily. If this chakra
is over–active, you may be living in a world of fantasy. In excessive cases hallucinations are possible.
5 Chakra. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakras>, January 6, 2007.
6 Ibid.

7. Crown chakra (Sahasrara) – this particular chakra is said to be the chakra of consciousness, and
conveys wisdom and being one with the world. When this chakra is open, you don’t harbor any
prejudice. You are in sync with the world. If it is under–active, your sense of spirituality may be
weak and your thinking rather rigid. If this chakra is over–active, you look at everything from an
intellectual perspective. You may also be addicted to spirituality and hence ignoring your bodily
needs.
Our bodies have these chakras or energy centers that vibrate at different frequencies. Each chakra
presents us with the opportunity to establish a root relationship and to satisfy a deep desire
originating from our soul. Each frequency holds a certain power, which in turn enhances our human
experience in this planet. As we make a conscious effort to tune into this power, we are internally
empowered to deal with specific life challenges relating to that energy center or chakra. When we
achieve this, we are able to live our lives in a more meaningful and fulfilling way. Mudras are one
way to help us achieve this ideal. With the constant practice of mudras, we train our minds and
bodies to keep distractions and sources of unnecessary stress at bay so we can communicate in a
more profound way. By tuning out the trivia of daily existence, we master the art of tuning in to
what’s important for our physical and mental development.
Now you’ve been “briefed” on the key concepts, you’re ready to discover mudras and get a flavor of
their sweet and tranquil world.

Chapter 4
Mudras and their Symbolic Meaning
It’s funny how people have not heard of mudras. The more popular term of course is finger yoga,
but unless they’ve spent a few years practicing yoga, mudras don’t make it to their everyday
vocabulary.
First off, owing to the limitations of this ebook, we will not be able to discuss the hundreds of
mudras that are practiced today. In the previous chapter, you learned there are over a hundred
mudras. One source puts it at less than 60, and another at just over 70.
Gertrud Hirschi, a Swiss yoga practitioner who has her own yoga practice in Zurich, Switzerland,
listed 73 mudras in her book entitled, Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands (2000). Another expert on
mudras, Sabrina Mesko, is a native from Slovenia and was under the tutelage of recognized yoga
masters in New York and Los Angeles. In her book, Power Mudras: Yoga Hand Postures for Women
(2002), she lists about 79. Based on these two works, therefore, we can conclude that the more
commonly used mudras total about 70.
As you begin to read books on mudras, you’ll notice that not all writers take the same approach in
naming them. Also, there are specific health mudras that yoga healing promotes, but the health
mudras are beyond the scope of this ebook and must be written about separately to give them
justice.
For purposes of this ebook, let’s focus on these specific aspects and name a few mudras under each:
Energy
Seeking Solutions
Spirituality
Relationships
Releasing the Past
Character Building
If your interest in mudras increases and you want more in–depth knowledge, Appendix A provides
an almost comprehensive list of the mudras in each of the above aspects. I say “almost
comprehensive” because I’m not certain if newer mudras have been developed by the experts in this
field. Like the field of yoga and other spiritual disciplines, mudras too evolve over time. The beauty
of mudras, however, lies in their numbers. This means that some people may be 100% comfortable
with a particular mudra and decide to adopt it in their daily practice. Not all mudras are easy to
imitate, some people may have difficulties manipulating their hands and fingers because of a health
condition, but because there are many mudras, they can pick one that is easiest for them to do. And
when a chosen mudra is no longer working for them, they simply take the next mudra in that
particular aspect of life – spirituality – energy – relationships – and practice it.
To help you further, there’s a list of recommended readings in Appendix B that you can borrow from
your library or purchase from your book retailer so you can read more and get a full flavor of
mudras. After learning the basics from this ebook, you may want to branch out into a more
specialized field of mudras or focus on one path, and the readings recommended should hopefully
steer you in the right direction. Why not read as many materials as you can on mudras before you
decide which ones you wish to concentrate on?
The field of mudras is one in which you continue to discover new things. The popular saying, “all
roads lead to Rome” applies when we wonder about the paths of civilization, but for mudras, it’s
more like “one mudra leads to another…and another…” This is possible only because the hands and
fingers are versatile parts of the human body and contain many nerve centers and conduits. Don’t
discount the fact that communication is a powerful component of human existence, and our hands
can do the talking for us when we’re suddenly feeling a void. Our hand and fingers are a mouthful,
so to speak, so studying the whole gamut of mudras can be an exciting and enlightening discovery
tour for you.
Energy Mudras
Feeling lazy, out of sorts? Is fatigue getting the better of you? There are several mudras that can
restore your energy levels back to where they should be (see Appendix A for list), and here’s a few.
1. Ushas Mudra
The Ushas mudra symbolizes freshness and renewed energy. This is an especially good mudra for
when you don’t feel like getting out of bed in the mornings. You can practice it also in school or at
work.
Lock all 10 fingers together and make sure your right thumb is resting on the left thumb, slightly
pressing down on it (as seen in picture on right). You
can do this every day for five to 15 minutes. Hold this
mudra firmly until you get the result you want. When
you’re trying to motivate yourself to get out of bed,
put your clasped fingers (as described above) at the
back of your head and inhale deeply – as often as it
takes. Then open your eyes and mouth as wide as
you can, pressing your elbows on the pillow. As you
exhale, let the tensions dissipate – repeat six times.
Try this recitation: “I am filled with pleasure and enthusiasm, which allow me to achieve great
things. I enjoy life to the fullest.”7
2. Pran Mudra
This is a good mudra to practice when you’re nervous and

feeling a little unstable. It’s effective when you want less
distraction in your life.
In both left and right hands, bring the tips of your thumb,
ring finger and little finger together (see illustration). Some
7Hirschi, Gertrud. Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands. Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. USA. 2000. p. 63. ISBN: 1-57863-
139-4.

yoga practitioners also say that the Pran mudra also helps improve our vision and strengthens our
confidence.
Try this recitation: I am keen in exploring all things about life. I have a healthy curiosity in my
surroundings and am happy because I can wonder and marvel at things, no matter how insignificant.
3. Hakini Mudra
This is an easy mudra because it calls for putting all fingertips (left and right hand) together as in the
illustration.
When you practice this mudra, your eyes must be looking up,
like looking at the sky. Breathe deeply. Some research has
shown – although not proven – that this mudra can help retain
memory skills better. When you breathe deeply and slowly,
your brain benefits.
Try this recitation: My power of concentration is at its best.
Seeking Solutions
Have you ever felt that some problems are easier to solve than others? For example, while you were
in school, you excelled in the numbers game and no math or calculus problem was ever difficult for
you. But the problem of telling a girl that you’re not interested in her stumps you and you’re
scratching your head to find the right words to tell her diplomatically to stop calling you. This type
of situation can slow us down and disrupt our concentration and thinking. However, as you get
older and become more mature, you realize that it isn’t mathematical or geometry problems that
take priority, rather it’s the problems in real life situations that you must learn to face with courage
and determination.
1. Varuna Mudra
Gertrud Hirschi explains that when we’re suffering from the cold, we experience congestion and feel
bogged down. These feelings are usually triggered by inner tensions, never having enough time, and
nurturing unexplained fears. When seeking a solution to life’s problems, we should make the effort
to include other people when making changes. This might mean letting go of some of your tasks and
delegating them to others. An excessive accumulation of mucus in the body means that you’re
feeling the whole world on your shoulders and you feel an
overwhelming amount of responsibility.8
To practice Varuna mudra: with your right hand, bend your

little finger until the tip reaches the ball of your right thumb,
and let the thumb of your right hand rest on it. Take your left
hand and in a semi–circle, let it go around your right hand with
the thumb of your left hand pressing slightly on the right
thumb. You can practice this mudra three times daily at 15 minutes each session.
8 Ibid. p. 87.

Try this recitation: The people around me can help lighten my burden. By asking them to share my
burden, they participate in my development and in my ability to find the right solutions for my
problems.
2. Atmanjali Mudra
This hand gesture is usually done in front of the chest as if in prayer. It is supposed to promote
peace, equilibrium of feelings and tranquility. It is a common gesture in India to show one’s respect
and gratitude.
You can do this movement by bringing your hands together in front of your chest. Make sure you
leave a tiny space between the two palms. You can do this sitting or
standing and with any meditation or prayer. You can raise your clasped
hands as well.
Try this recitation: I am grateful for all things, good and bad. I know I
can turn the bad into good.
3. Vajrapradama Mudra
When you trust others, you trust yourself – that’s one of the laws of the
universe as expounded by our great thinkers. As we doubt what we see
and hear, and feel insecure, this is when we need to gather up our inside forces for strength and
reinforce our connection to the cosmic being.
This is the mudra that symbolizes utmost confidence not only in others but also in ourselves.
Interlace the fingers of both hands in front of you, palms facing towards your chest. The thumbs
stay free and don’t connect with the other fingers.
Try this recitation: I am in touch with the positive forces inside me,
and I have aligned them so they are balanced.
Character Building
Sharing with others is part of character development. When we
share what we know and teach them the lessons that have helped
us in life, we are following the slogan of a movie: pay it forward. As
you spread good and wisdom and charity, your character becomes
stronger, more adequately prepared to face future challenges. Even imparting lessons to just one
person will build character.
1. Prithivi Mudra
Trust and balance are only two of the essential ingredients of the Prithivi mudra. Think of a plant.
There are roots and stems which are partly responsible for growth, for blossoming of the petals.
Your character can blossom from sharing with others. The purpose of our existence – if we are to
have any meaningful existence at all is to connect to our Divine through goodwill to others.

To practice Prithivi mudra, bring the tips of your thumb and ring finger together and press slightly.
You can use both hands to practice this. Extend the other fingers.
Try this recitation: I am happy and at peace with myself. I want others
to share my happiness and peace so that I can be one with God.
2. Mushti Mudra
This is also called the “fist” mudra. We

should learn to release any inner aggressions because if they are left
unattended long term, they can cause imbalances in our body, thus
affecting our physical health. If we’re not accustomed to saying no,
we should develop the practice; if we fail to set limits in all our
undertakings, again we should take measures to remedy this
tendency.
The way you would form a fist, bend your fingers and put your thumb
over the ring finger. Use both hands. You can do this three times a
day for 15 minutes each.
Try this recitation: If anything makes me anxious, I should let it go. I close my eyes and visualize
myself in utmost serenity.
3. Suchi Mudra
Forgiveness and generosity to others are vital elements of the Suchi mudra. You are aware of the
importance to rid yourself of prejudices because it’s the only way to usher in good vibrations.
Hold two clenched fists in front of your chest (left and right hands) and inhale deeply. This is the
first position. As you exhale, release the index finger and make
it face upward as you extend your left arm to the left. Hold the
right fist close to your chest.
Try this recitation: I want all negative elements to go away, so I

can bring in only the positive. It may be difficult but I CAN do it.
Spirituality
It’s not a question of how often we attend church service or
kneel before the altar praying for peace among men. It’s really
more how we live our life and lead others to the spiritual path by
way of concrete examples.
1. Dhyani Mudra
This is the mudra that symbolizes contemplation. Others prefer to call it meditation. A silent
connection with our loved ones minus the words would suffice at certain moments of our lives. By
being silent, we are actually saying a lot.

Rest both hands on your lap if you are sitting, or just in line with your
hips if standing. As forming a small bowl, let your left hand lie on the
right, both thumbs coming together at the tips. This gesture mirrors
our inner freedom and our purity.
Try this recitation: I am open and receptive. I welcome others and

hope to connect with them.
2. Abhaya Mudra
This is a gesture of respect and an acknowledgement of the power bigger than us. It symbolizes the
banishment of fear from our lives. When we are feeling strong, we feel less aggressive and violent –
which some may think is a contradiction in terms. But the term “strong” refers to our inner balance
and thoughts. Not wavering, not erratic, only resolute and robust.
If you prefer a sitting position, raise your right hand at chest

level, palm facing outward. You may place your left hand on
your lap or on your heart, whichever feels more comfortable for
you.
Try this recitation: I start with the belief that my fellow human
beings are good. Their souls speak of kindness and charity.
3. Varada Mudra
This is a mudra that came from Hinduism and symbolizes the

Hindu gods. The act of being merciful is inherent in this mudra.
It’s a variation of one of the beatitudes – “blessed are those who forgive and show mercy, for they
shall be blessed.”
Take your left hand and make it face downward, but with
the palm turned towards the front. The thumb and index
finger do not touch and are loose, the middle, ring and
little finger slightly touch each other. You can place your
right hand on your lap or thigh.
Try this recitation: I forgive my enemies and will not dwell

on the wrong they have done to me.
Relationships
There is something about yoga that helps us cultivate what some yoga teachers call “finding a
middle ground.” In her book, Yogaflows, Mohini Chatlini maintains that her teaching is based on
three critical elements: breath, body and awareness. In breathing, our poses – including mudras –
help us focus on nurturing our self–reliance, becoming patient and tolerant towards others, and
enabling us to note comparisons between us and others. Chatlini explains, “through this inner
awareness, you are able to embrace yourself with greater compassion and, in so doing, encourage

meeting others in the same way.” 9 She devotes a section of her book to the practice of mudras
which she calls “psycho–neural finger locks.”
1. Ganesha Mudra
This mudra opens up the fourth chakra. When it is open and balanced (not under or over active), we
feel courage and confidence. We also open our hearts to other human beings.
With palms facing outward bring your left hand to chest level.
Bend the fingers. Take the left hand with the right hand, with
the back of the hand facing outward. Then move both hands to
heart level, near the chest. As you exhale, pull your hands apart
with as much force as you can WITHOUT releasing the hold.
The hands must remain locked. This has the effect of tensing
the muscles. As you inhale, release all tension. You can do this
six times once a day.
Try this recitation: My relationships with people are open and confident.
2. Shunya Mudra
When one listens more, relationships grow. They don’t get stifled by too much worthless chatting
and mindless “shooting the breeze.” Our willingness to listen to others is enhanced by the Shunya
mudra. It also sharpens our hearing, because it is believed by some thinkers that it diminishes ear
problems.
To practice Shunya mudra, you only need to bend the middle finger so that it touches the ball of
your thumb. Put your thumb over it, applying only light
pressure. Extend the other fingers. Do this exercise with both
hands.
Try this recitation: I listen to my fellow human beings, hence I

hear the beautiful sounds of the universe and find meaning in
them.
3. Lotus Mudra
The Lotus mudra symbolizes purity. It lays in the heart chakra, so love, goodwill, and affection are at
the forefront of our emotions when we practice this mudra.
Taking both hands, bring them together by letting the tips of both thumbs and little fingers touch.
Bring base of palms together. The other fingers are extended – more like in an open position as
though a petal is blooming and opening up.
Try this recitation: My heart and soul are open; hence I feel I have wings – wings that will take me to
the Divine so that I may receive his blessings.
9 Chatlini, Mohini. Yogaflows. Firefly Books Ltd., London, England, 2003. p. 8. ISBN: 1-55297-687-4.

Releasing the Past

This is the last aspect that we’ll discuss. Note that even psychologists encourage us to let go of the
past. By dwelling in the past too much and too frequently, we hinder our full growth. How can we
move forward with confident steps when we desperately cling to past events? We should look
straight ahead, not back, and we should face the horizon beyond with zeal and zest. This is the only
way we can experience life at its best.
1. Detoxification Mudra (Sanskrit equivalent not known)
Just as some people need to detoxify from alcohol or drugs, we can detoxify ourselves of our past.
Our past can help us resolve future problems, because our past has enriched us with experiences,
but to be able to face the future with our heads held high, we should release our past. Banish the
negative elements and choose only the good of our past experiences.
Place your thumb on the opening between the middle and ring
fingers. Use both hands. A detoxification once a year is
recommended, but we need not travel far and wide or book a
spa reservation to undertake detoxification because we can do
this ourselves in the comfort of our home.
Try this recitation: I am leaving my past, because my future is

more vital.
2. Varada Mudra
We mentioned this mudra under “spirituality” but it is also a mudra for letting go of our past. “Let
bygones be bygones” is a good start. If our spiritual life is clean and pure, we would normally not
have any difficulty in forgetting the past because we know that it is our stepping stone to bigger and
better things. But like most things, these stones are to be traveled and then left behind for the next
traveler to use as a guide. We can’t take these stones with us to the next life. We will encounter
more and again learn from them. Once we have learned the lesson, we move on.
Please refer to the section under spirituality for instructions on how to practice Varada mudra.
Try this recitation: I shall not dwell in the past, for I would like the future to dwell in me – that I may
be blessed with what tomorrow holds for me.
We conclude this chapter on the mudras that can be used in each and every aspect of our life. We’d
like to repeat that there are many more than the ones we have discussed here, and like we said, you
can always pick a mudra that is most comfortable to you. You will find, as you experiment with the
positions, that some mudras do wonders for your being while some don’t. Some will produce a
tingling sensation or a sense of absolute peace and harmony.
Our only advice is not to expect results overnight or after a week or even after a month. If you
recall, our workouts in the gym don’t produce the desired results in 24 or 48 hours. Some notice
progress after three months, and still others have to wait for six months. The same is true for the
practice of mudras.

If you make mudras part of your life and practice them with faith and hope, you might even feel very
encouraged to write about them so you can spread the word – the way other mudra writers have
done!
In the next two chapters, we’ll provide a few pointers on how to make your mudra practice a
successful one.

Chapter 5
Breathing and Meditation
The practice of mudras has to go hand in hand with certain components to make the practice whole,
beneficial and effective. You can compare it to learning one of life’s basic lessons: driving a car.
Your driving instructor will introduce you to a car’s basic structure. He’ll show you where the
ignition is, the elements of the dashboard and what each does. He’ll show you the brakes, the gear
box, and the steering controls. He’ll say that to be a defensive driver you need to be alert to what’s
behind you, in front of you, and alongside. He’ll no doubt mention the concept of “blind spot” and
recite a different set of rules for winter driving. Your lessons, however, do not stop with the car’s
structure and “personality.” You’ll need to acquaint yourself with road signs – some of them have
no words – but you’re expected to know them as a driver. You’ll need to develop a sense of
direction and the only way to do it is to know the “lay of the land.” Does Grosvenor street
downtown go one way east or one way south? How many exits does one have to pass before
arriving at the Piccadilly exit? At what points can we fill up or do a pit stop? When is traffic most
congested in this part of town? If one tunnel going to a particular freeway is closed for roadwork,
what other tunnels can we use?
The practice of mudras will be void of any meaning if you’re only familiar with the position of the
hands and fingers. In fact, they’re the easiest part to learn. You can assign each and every
movement to memory, but if you don’t integrate the other important components into your mudra
practice, then you derive no benefit. Take one side and you get only a third of the picture, take all
sides and you get a complete roadmap.
Many factors play an important role in mudras: breathing, meditation, asanas (postures), music,
color and affirmations (or recitations as we suggested in Chapter 4). In this chapter, we’ll talk about
breathing and meditation techniques first.
Proper Breathing for Mudras

Generally, there are only two ways to breathe: inhaling and exhaling. In some of the mudras, we
provided instructions on when to exhale and inhale. Breathing is not a complicated aspect to learn.
The fundamentals of breathing slowly and the thoughts that accompany inhaling and exhaling as
described in other yoga practices basically apply to mudras. But we’ll add something about
breathing for mudras which you should be aware about.
In practicing mudras, we learn that there are two types of breathing: the deep and long breath, and
the breath of fire. The breath of fire works similarly to the deep and long breath, except that it is
done more quickly. You focus on the contracting motion of exhaling, making each breath last about
a second. Logically, you master the deep long breath first, and then gradually increase the speeds
until you reach the breath of fire that you’re comfortable with.

The breath of fire and deep long breath play two distinct roles: the first one is to energize and
stimulate your body, the second is to relax you. Both kinds of breathing aim to rid your body of
toxins and to keep your health vibrant and invigorated.10
In mudra practice, remember that proper breathing is paramount. It not only helps in making
mudras effective, but as we’ve already learned from the gurus, proper breathing also has a
restorative effect on our overall well–being. In doing the mudras, always inhale and exhale through
the nose and as deep as possible, all the way down to your stomach.
You may be wondering, is that all we need to know regarding breathing?
No. And this is where we get a little more sophisticated. But not necessarily more complicated. In
yoga, there is a branch that is specifically dedicated to Pranayama. It is that part of yoga that
studies breathing techniques for optimal health and energy. It is all about breath control.
Pranayama comes from the root word “Prana” which, as we said earlier, is the universal life force.
The more we can control our breathing, the better we can control this life force for the good of our
mind and our body.
In Pranayama, three processes are involved: the first is inhalation (puraka), which injects our lungs
with air and stimulates the entire body. The second is retention (kumbhaka) and this has the effect
of increasing the body’s temperature and absorbing oxygen. The third is exhalation (rechak) where
the diaphragm returns to its original position. Pranayama distributes vital energy throughout the
body and this ensures that our system functions efficiently, providing us with higher levels of
physical energy.11
Meditation
Yoga practitioners and writers will inevitably talk about meditation because it is an inherent element
in the practice of yoga, and by logic, in the practice of mudras. The hand gestures and finger
positions enhance our ability to meditate; a lot of literature has come off the press regarding the act
of meditating. This is one area of yoga where information is abundant, and no questions leave
unanswered.
In the practice of mudras, one world–renowned Buddhist meditation master, Chogyam Trungpa
(1940–1987), has contributed significantly to the practice of meditation. We say he is world–
renowned because he traveled extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe, and he
established Naropa University and founded the Shambhala Training and Shambhala International –
both part of the Buddhist meditation centers. He is also a poet. He published a book back in 1972,
which was re–published in 2001 by the Shambhala Organization in Boston and London, and is a
collection of poems and songs for mudras.
10Mesko, Sabrina. Power Mudras. Yoga Hand Postures for Women, Ballantine Books, New York, 2002. p. 11.
ISBN: 0-345-44562-7.
11
Advanced Yoga Breathing Techniques: The Science of Pranayama.
<http://www.hathayogalesson.com/index.htm>, January 8, 2007.

Jigme Lingpa contributed to Trungpa’s book of poems for the mudras and makes reference to the
Maha Ati, which he defines as the essence of transcendental insight. He mentions that the symbol
of the Lion’s Roar (not the one at the start of the MGM movies!) diminishes some of the confusion
and misunderstanding experienced by meditators who have given up materialistic ownership so they
could meditate on this essence. It is “the unchanging state of non–meditation in which there is
awareness but no clinging.”12
We’ve all heard of Deepak Chopra. He was interviewed by Dennis Hughes on the subject of
meditation. Chopra pointed out that yoga has come to mean many things to many people, but the
one that stands out are the health benefits. Chopra, however, said that yoga has a spiritual realm
which of course is the larger perspective. He notes that an increasing number of people are
beginning to discover this particular aspect of yoga.
Finger yoga – the mudras – therefore should promote the spiritual benefits along with the health
benefits like stress reduction and the lowering of one’s heart pressure. The hand movements must
be seen as assisting in our symbolic communication with the cosmic universe and in harnessing our
inner life force so that we take full advantage of our personal resources.
The subject of meditation gives rise to the subject of mantras. These are recitations that
complement your meditation sessions. Mantras have the effect of renewing your concentration and
reinforcing it. Chopra explains that there are many kinds of mantras and the most basic is the bija
which means seed.
Chopra said:
“The word bija means seed. It’s the most basic kind of mantra there is, and it’s traditionally used for
transcending or going beyond the realm of thought. The way that mantra is selected is based on your
time of birth and your place of birth. Based on that information, the person who is giving you the
mantra can actually know the exact position of the moon at the time and location of your birth.
There are 108 such positions, and so there are 108 mantras…Now there are other mantras, of course,
that have very specific effects. There is a huge body of knowledge on mantras for healing, for wealth
consciousness, for invoking specific deities that are symbolic representations of psychic energy within
your own self. Ever since I was a child, I’ve used thirty or forty different mantras for different reasons:
for making me go to sleep if I can’t sleep; for increasing my energy; for increasing my desire for
knowledge, etc. Usually mantras are given by teachers who are very knowledgeable and intimate
with the tradition. In fact, they are passed on from teacher to disciple.”13
Mantras, combined with mudra practice produce healing energy. Although health and healing
should be a separate topic from this ebook, we’ll say at this point that our mouth has fifty–eight
points of energy spread throughout our body. By singing, speaking or whispering mantras you
12Trungpa, Chogyam. Mudra. Early Poems & Songs. Shambhala Publications Inc. Boston, Massachusetts, 1972
and 2001. p. 21. ISBN: 0-87773-051-2
13
Hughes, Dennis. Meditation and Spirituality. An Interview with Deepak Chopra. Share Guide. The Holistic
Health Magazine and Resource Directory. <http://www.shareguide.com/Chopra2.html>, January 10, 2007.

awaken these energy points to bring physical, mental and spiritual forces in harmony. The ancient
practice of mantras was geared towards the renewal of nadis, facilitating concentration and relaxing
the mind.

Chapter 6
Music, Colors and Visualization
And you thought we were finished talking about mudras. Not just yet. We still need to share the
exciting world of music, colors and visualization. These three elements, along with breathing and
meditation, should “round up” your fundamental knowledge of mudras. Up until this point, the
subject was – well – sort of top heavy in tone. When one talks about symbolic communication, all
this serious talk can’t be avoided. But talking about music, colors and visualization helps us
appreciate mudras in a different, lighter context!
Music
Reading about mudras and music, we discovered that the concept of “Carnatic music” which
Wikipedia has identified as one of two styles of Indian classical music (the other being Hindustani
music) is closely linked to the practice of yoga. By extension, that should include mudras. Carnatic
music is said to be melodic, and traces its roots to the 15th and 16th AD, according to Wikipedia. It
rests on two principles: melody and rhythmic cycles – which simply means that Carnatic music is
intended to be sung.
The closest association of mudras and Carnatic music is the signature. The literature reveals that
composers of Carnatic music often drew inspiration from their religious beliefs and were well–
versed in either the Kannada, Sanskrit , Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu languages. When they
composed their music, they would include a signature – a mudra to help identify them as the
composers.
Carnatic music contains a wealth of information, and a proper initiation should probably begin with
wikipedia because it discusses its nature, the composers of different periods, improvisation, content
and concerts. Go to this link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnatic_music.
You may also consult http://www.carnaticcorner.com/ if you are a beginner and wish to be initiated
into melodies of Carnatic music. Or else, you can also join Indian music discussion forums on the
Internet, with special emphasis on Carnatic music.
Those who sing Carnatic music use their hands as they sing, and move them up and down in certain
patterns. The fingers are also used simultaneously to keep time.
Mudras and music in the contemporary period can be experienced by listening to some recordings
to be used as background when practicing mudras. We came across an artist/instrumentalist by the
name of Prem Joshua whose CD, appropriately called “Mudra” is on sale at www.music–today.com.
The album has six tracks, lasting anywhere from five to 13 minutes, and is described as a blend of
Indian raga and western/electronic tones. Rajendar Menon is an Indian prolific writer who has also
written about mudras and devotes one chapter of his book to the preferred musical
accompaniments for practicing mudras. His book is included in Appendix A (Recommended
Readings for Mudras).
In choosing our music repertory for mudras, we have to remember:
What we personally like to listen to

How long the playing time is. When we practice mudras, we have to keep the mudra positions for
about 15 minutes each day. Some movements/gestures can be shorter, others are longer. So when
choosing our background music for mudras and meditation, we need to choose compositions with
playing time of about 10–15 minutes – that’s the ideal. However, there’s nothing to worry about if
the music you like plays for a shorter time. The idea is to ensure that the music produces positive
emotions and has the effect of energizing you.
As the music is playing, listen to it with full concentration so that you obtain only the positive effects
of the music, and that you don’t get distracted by mundane matters.
The music you choose must relax and calm you.
Gertrud Hirsch recommends classical music for its healing and soothing effect and if you wish, opt
for the solo concerts instead of the symphonies. Instrumental music is ideal – particularly the slow
kind – and the following instruments should be considered: oboe, piano, cello, violin, clarinet and
the organ.
It is said that the Ragas were composed at certain hours of the day and at seasonal cycles. Serious
believers say there is a mood association for every hour of the day, and the music we choose for
practicing our mudras should reflect this characteristic. One example is the CD composed by Harish
Johari that contains attunements for dawn and attunements for dusk, described by the Sanatan
Society. You could get free downloads from some sites (although many of them download very
slowly, almost at a turtle’s pace) by typing “music and meditation” on any search engine.
Colors
Yes, you can enhance and hone our mudra skills by incorporating colors in our practice. Colors, as
everyone is aware, affect our moods. When getting into a meditative state, you need to focus on
certain colors that “work right” and “blend well” into our thoughts and sentiments.
Much has been written about the entire realm of colors and the role they play in our lives. The
literature is overwhelming. In mudra practice, the experts call for balance which should be our # 1
goal. We cannot show a preference for one color to the detriment of others. While its effect may
appear positive at first, it will, in the long run, affect our health and general well–being.
Too much of anything is bad. We should find the middle ground. This is what balance means.
Mudra practitioners also say that when we are predisposed to one color, it is probably because we
seek the characteristics that are represented by the color. Blue, for example, has a calming quality.
It defines our sense of security and manifests our desire to understand what we don’t understand.
Brown, according to mudra experts, is the color of stability. “You’re well grounded” people say
because you are down to earth and realistic, and don’t entertain too many lofty ideals. But an
overdose of brown can lead to stale moments and hence, stagnation. Green has the same traits as
blue. It produces a sense of calm in us and stirs our need to try something novel and refreshing.
Other colors like red, orange and yellow are also good, but too much of each can produce negative
effects. Too much of orange for instance can lead to superficial values.
There are no bad colors per se. The key is to harmonize colors so they fit into our moods in our
practice of mudras. Don’t let one color overpower the other or to be misaligned in our body. When

performing a mudra movement, concentrate on one color: you can do this either by concentrating
on the color itself, or finding an object in your surroundings with that color.
Let’s say, in any given day, you feel like being up in the clouds and staying there for a few minutes.
You can concentrate on the color white as the predominant color, and alternately think of the light
blue of the sky to complete the imagery. This way you can do the corresponding mudra of your
choice.
Say that at work you had an unpleasant exchange with your supervisor. You felt that her demands
were unreasonable but you didn’t say anything, out of respect. You’re feeling a little overwhelmed
by the work and she has just given you extra work and wants it in a couple of days. You’re feeling
frustrated because you haven’t received any credit for your projects. Instead of seeing your
supervisor’s face in your mind constantly, try to imagine a scenery rich in color – one that has a
tranquilizing effect. Perhaps think of a forest, in deep green and luscious hues, where the trees
shield you from sadness and despair? Or the deep blue sea where you’re floating peacefully, the
color blue firmly entrenched in your consciousness.
Since mudras originated partly from Buddhism, mudras and colors are explained from the five
meditating Buddhas, particularly as they related to spiritual aesthetics. These five are the Dhyani
Buddhas and when speaking of them, colors are accorded significant attention. The article we found
on Exotic India explains, “…these Buddhas nevertheless have important physical differences. For
example, each displays a different hand mudra, is associated with a different direction, rides a
different animal, denotes a particular moment in the life of the historical Buddha, and has a different
color. The last is a unique contribution to the aesthetic heritage which is shared by all humanity.
Indeed, the link between our negative emotions and the positive qualities into which the Dhyani
Buddhas transform them can be illustrated most directly through the medium and experience of
color. It is well known that changing the color of our surroundings can have a profound effect on our
state of mind.”14
Finally, mudras and color are premised also on the chakras. If you recall, we discussed the different
concepts required to come to a full understanding of mudras. One of these concepts was the chakra
– seven centers of energy that are aligned in the body’s mid–line. Each of the chakras has a different
color, thus:
First chakra – red
Second chakra – orange
Third chakra – yellow
Fourth chakra – green
Fifth chakra – blue
14 The Five Meditating Buddhas. An Enquiry into Spiritual Aesthetics. Exotic India.
<http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/dhyanibuddhas>, January 11, 2007.

Sixth chakra – indigo
Seventh chakra – violet or white
Here’s a small treat. If you want to hear the sounds (meditation music) and see the colors of each
chakra, why don’t you check this web site out: http://www.web–lines.com/alignchakras/. You’ll like
what you’ll hear – there are no vocals, just the harmony of distinct instruments. No other
information on the web site is provided. All you’ll get are the strains, and the changing colors of a
square with a simple diagram.
Visualization
“Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or
probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as
possible”. Cherie Carter–Scott.
Great thinkers from the past like Albert Einstein and famous people like Jim Carrey have
acknowledged the power of visualization. This is the mental rehearsal that people often refer to.
Believing and imagining that what you want will take shape in your mind and then will come true.
But your powers of concentration have to be potent and in tip top shape.
Athletes visualize, so do painters. Concert pianists practice visualization all the time before a
performance. You and I are certainly capable of visualizing and since thought transcends borders
and frontiers, our capacity to imagine is not restricted, not limited. We may not run as fast as six
miles an hour but our mind can certainly do it for us. And if we repeat this running scene everyday
for as long as the ambition burns in our hearts, it will be real one day.
Some people combine the practice of meditation and visualization. Still others strengthen this
exercise with music and the proper mantras or affirmations. One cannot underestimate the power
of the mind. If we practice our mudras and at the same time meditate, visualize and recite our
mantras, we awaken our dormant energies and make them spring into life.
Always visualize the outcome you desire, not the thing you fear. Jim Carrey said he wrote himself a
check for $10,000,000.00 and knew he was going to get it. He didn’t exactly know how, but he kept
visualizing that check coming to him. Nine years later, he was committed to produce Dumb and
Dumber and received $10,000,000.00 many times over.
To explain visualization more clearly, let’s take a real–life example. For example, you’re a university
student and you’ve just taken up the challenge of writing an essay of 2,000 words on the subject of
poisonous mushrooms in North America. There will be a first, second and third prize. You want the
first prize. How do you visualize your first prize win?
If the first prize awards $5,000.00, you put this $5,000 amount in your mind in the form of a check
(like the example of Jim Carrey above). You visualize that you’re in a large auditorium filled to
capacity and that there’s a panel of professors on stage leafing through some 150 entry essays on
the topic. You’re sitting on row 4, visualizing that when you hear your name being called out, you
will stand up slowly, turn around and acknowledge the crowd, waving your right arm. You adjust
your tie and clear your throat and head for the podium, a confident posture and a bright, winning
smile. You receive the check, you shake the Dean’s hand and you go to the speaker box, prepared to

deliver your acceptance speech. This is the outcome you desire and this is the experience that will
happen in the future which you need to visualize. Do it over and over again. If the contest is five
months away and you visualize this scene everyday until the day the winning entries are announced,
you may actually gravitate towards those steps that will make you win first prize. You will visualize
yourself in the library, carrying out extensive research, talking long walks in the woods and seeking
out poisonous mushrooms, a basket in your left hand and a knife on your right.
You begin to take pictures of the mushrooms in your mind, making labels, creating descriptive
passages about each species. You’re also talking to mushroom experts, taking down their comments
and doing further readings. And you’re writing, revising, writing some more. You’re inspired, and
your family believes you’ve written a good essay. You’re feeling good about this essay and you
constantly improve it until there’s nothing else to criticize. You’re pleased as punch with the final
result. And you’ve never missed a day of visualization. It becomes a part of you. It will make you
the first prize winner and you feel it. You know deep down that you’ve given it your best and it
shows in the essay.
You face the audience, serenity written all over your face. You take your hands, forming the
Atmanjali mudra (gesture of prayer), and begin to talk slowly. “I’d like to thank my family for
supporting me in this undertaking. Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to muster
sufficient courage to…”
You did it. Congratulations!

Chapter 7
Conclusion
Let’s hope this “foretaste” of mudras will encourage you to explore this particular path further.
Although mudras have existed since pre–historic times and have been practiced during eras of
spiritual rebirths like Hinduism and Buddhism, not many people have heard of them. The more
common forms of yoga, along with the theories of meditation, affirmations and breathing are what
make up the consciousness of North Americans when they think of yoga. To many of them, yoga
represents a kind of physical healing for modern society’s aches and pains. Given that we live in
times characterized by chronic pain and terminal diseases, yoga has taken a prominent place in the
spectrum of alternative self–healing strategies and as a technique for the rejuvenation of self.
There is another face to yoga – a different one from the one we know. The spiritual aspect is often
overlooked. We have talked about the hands and fingers as being the external parts of the human
anatomy but they essentially represent our inner life. With mudras, we look in, as opposed to look
out, because they are – though visible through our gestures and movements – our very ignition to
our inner strengths and energies. What you see – the graceful patterns of hands and fingers and
their sequence in dance movements – are the reinforcement of the belief that we can awaken our
deepest life forces located in each chakra.
Looking back to our school days, the theories we learned did not have much meaning unless we had
the chance to apply them in our life. Mudras are no different. What good is it to know the
movement, what it symbolizes and the chakra it relates to if we don’t roll up our sleeves and actually
practice them? It’s hard work to integrate mudras into our daily routine especially if we’re not avid
fans of yoga in the first place, but since they can be done anytime and anywhere without the need
for any special accessories like a mat, they are not a cumbersome activity to include in our everyday
habits. They can help us attain our goals, turn our dreams into reality and fuel us with a limitless
amount of inspiration to take on more of life’s challenges. They help clarify where we stand vis–à–
vis our neighbors and friends, and convey to us our secret mission in life, based on the rewarding
principle of helping others. It is only in helping others that we are able to build upon our inner
strengths.
To feel more energy physically and have greater meaning in the things we do are like dividends paid
back to us in exchange for the goodwill we spread to our entourage. We can fully grasp the power
of mudras when we make an effort to understand the concepts related to it, appreciate the
numerous weaknesses of humans and cultivate goodness in our hearts through meditation and
visualization with the proper “accoutrements” – music, color and affirmations (recitations).
“Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house…let no one ever come to you
without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your
face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness.”
– Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Appendix A
List of Mudras
ASPECT MUDRAS
ENERGY Pushan mudra
Pran mudra
Prithivi mudra
Rudra mudra
Garuda mudra
Hakini mudra
Tse mudra
Vajra mudra
Uttarabodhi mudra
Makara mudra
Mukula mudra
Shivalinga
PROBLEM SOLVING Varuna mudra
Apan Vayu mudra
Kubera mudra
Uttarabodhi mudra
Atmanjali mudra
Vajrapradama mudra
Naga mudra
SPIRITUALITY Kundalini mudra
Dynamic mudra
Atmanjali mudra
Dhyani mudra
Mudra of the inner self

Lotus mudra
Abhaya mudra
Varada mudra
Dharmachakra mudra
Vajrapradama mudra
Naga mudra
Pushpaputa mudra
RELATIONSHIPS Ganesha mudra
Shunya mudra
Varuna mudra
Lotus mudra
Varada mudra
LETTING GO OF THE PAST Shunya mudra
Detoxification mudra
Atmanjali mudra
Varada mudra
CHARACTER BUILDING Prithvi mudra
Garuda mudra
Suchi mudra
Mushti mudra
Bhramara mudra
Kalesvara mudra

Appendix B
Recommended Readings
1. Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi
2002
ISBN: 1–57863–139–4
Comments: illustrations are clear, covers all concepts related to mudras: meditation, color, music
and visualization
2. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami S. Saraswati
2002
ISBN 10: 8186336141
ISBN 13: 978–8186–336144
Comments: This book received good customer reviews on Amazon. Those who read the book have
not said a single negative thing about the book. Covers asanas, pranayama, body attitudes, energy
locks and bandha. Author has credibility, started the Bihar Yoga Bharati which offers courses in Yoga
Psychology and Applied Yoga Science.
Detailed and comprehensive, has a section devoted to beginners.
3. Mantras and Mudras: Meditations for the Hands and Voice to Bring Peace and Inner Calm
by Lillian Too
2002
ISBN 10: 0007–129–602
ISBN 13: 978–0007129607
Comments: Discusses first steps – mantras, mandala offerings, dedications. Part II discusses
mantras and part III is devoted to mantra practice.
4. Mudra by Ernest Dale Saunders
1985
ISBN 10: 069–101–8669
ISBN 13: 978–069101–8669
Comments: This book focuses on the principal symbolic gestures used in Japanese Buddhist
sculpture. It also covers the six secondary mudras and asanas.
5. Power Mudras: Yoga Hand Postures for Women by Sabrina Mesko

2002
ISBN: 0–345–44562–7
Comments: Reader is treated to a discussion of nature, its elements and how they relate to
a person as well as more “in” topics like how to deal with PMS, beauty, the feminine spirit, weight
problems and motherhood. Author also discusses colors and meditations for mudras.
7. Mudra: Early Poems & Songs by Chogyam Trungpa
2001 (first year of publication: 1972)
ISBN: 0–87773–051–2
Comments: If you are interested in the accompaniment poems and songs of mudras as they were
taught and shared in earlier eras, this book is a must. While it does not discuss mudras directly, or
illustrate the hand positions, it provides insights into the Tibetan way of thinking.
8. The Healing Powers of Mudras: The Yoga of the Hands
By Rajendar Menon
2005
ISBN: 8122308732
Comments: This book may not be available in North America yet and may have to be
ordered from India. It discusses how the simple positioning of hands everyday rejuvenates the body,
heals disease and slowly leads to spiritual awakening.

Appendix C
List of References
Books (alphabetically arranged)
Chatlini, Mohini. Yogaflows. Firefly Books Ltd., London, England, 2003. ISBN: 1–55297–687–4.
Hirschi, Gertrud. Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands. Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. USA. 2000. ISBN: 1–
57863–139–4.
Mesko, Sabrina. Power Mudras. Yoga Hand Postures for Women, Ballantine Books, New York, 2002.
ISBN: 0–345–44562–7.
Trungpa, Chogyam. Mudra. Early Poems & Songs. Shambhala Publications Inc. Boston,
Massachusetts, 1972 and 2001. p. 21. ISBN: 0–87773–051–2.
Web Sites (in the order in which they were cited in this ebook)
Mudra. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudras>, December 31, 2006.
Tatva Yoga. <http://mudra_makers.tripod.com/index.html>, December 31, 2006.
Lee, Leonard. Mudras and Hand Symbolism. What are Mudras? Part I.
<http://ezinearticles.com/?Mudras–and–Hand–Symbolism:–What–Are–Mudras?–Part–
1&id=332322>, December 31, 2006.
Reverend Jnana. Mudras in Buddhism. <http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma7/mudras.html>,

December 31, 2006.
Chakra. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakras>, January 6, 2007.
Advanced Yoga Breathing Techniques: The Science of Pranayama.

<http://www.hathayogalesson.com/index.htm>, January 8, 2007.
Hughes, Dennis. Meditation and Spirituality. An Interview with Deepak Chopra. Share Guide. The
Holistic Health Magazine and Resource Directory. <http://www.shareguide.com/Chopra2.html>,
January 10, 2007.
The Five Meditating Buddhas. An Enquiry into Spiritual Aesthetics. Exotic India.
<http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/dhyanibuddhas>, January 11, 2007.

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2 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

3 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Books (alphabetically arranged) ................................................................................................... 39

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– B.K.S. Iyengar, Astadala Yogamala

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What are Mudras?

Imagine yourself in these two scenes:

Scene 1: That solid feeling…

6 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

But they’re not.

Let’s go to the second scene.

Scene 2: That moving feeling…

7 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

1 Mudra. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudras>, December 31, 2006.

2 Tatva Yoga. < http://mudra_makers.tripod.com/index.html>, December 31, 2006.

8 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Hand with fingertips together3

Hand-Symbolism:-What-Are-Mudras?-Part-1&id=332322>, December 31, 2006.

9 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

4 Reverend Jnana. Mudras in Buddhism. <http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma7/mudras.html>, December 31,

10 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Where the fingers touch

Where the hands are located or positioned

How the mudra is placed in sequence

11 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Circuits, Chakras, Nadis, Energy Flow / Balance

Let’s now go to chakras.

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5 Chakra. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakras>, January 6, 2007.

14 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

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This is a good mudra to practice when you’re nervous and

17 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Try this recitation: My power of concentration is at its best.

To practice Varuna mudra: with your right hand, bend your

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19 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

This is also called the “fist” mudra. We

Try this recitation: I want all negative elements to go away, so I

20 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

Try this recitation: I am open and receptive. I welcome others and

If you prefer a sitting position, raise your right hand at chest

This is a mudra that came from Hinduism and symbolizes the

Try this recitation: I forgive my enemies and will not dwell

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Try this recitation: I listen to my fellow human beings, hence I

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Releasing the Past

1. Detoxification Mudra (Sanskrit equivalent not known)

Try this recitation: I am leaving my past, because my future is

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Proper Breathing for Mudras

25 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

You may be wondering, is that all we need to know regarding breathing?

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28 Copyright ©2007 – Colin Joss – All Rights Reserved

In choosing our music repertory for mudras, we have to remember: