Hatha Yoga Mudras
Haá¹ha
Yoga's Practice:
Haá¹ha Yoga consists of 4 components and they
are,
1. Purification of body called “Shat Karma Kriyas” (or simply known
as “Shatkarmas”).
2. Manipulation of vital life force (“Prana”) using Body locks (called
as “Bandhas”) and Seals or Gestures (called as “Mudras”).
3. Manipulations breath-control (called as “Pranayama”).
4. Physical postures (Called as “Asanas”).
Purification of body called “Shat Karma Kriyas” (or simply known as “Shatkarmas”)
Purification of body is called “Shat Karma Kriyas”
(or simply known as “Shatkarmas”) and the list contains 6 cleansing
methods, and these are mental and physical detoxification in nature.
Hatha Yoga imparts various steps of inner body cleansing with advice of
yoga educator. Different texts vary in number of cleansing methods. It range
from simple hygiene practices to unusual exercise of reversing seminal fluid
flow. The 6 cleansing actions are cleaning of teeth and body (“dhauthi”),
cleaning of rectum (“basthi”), cleaning of nasal passage (“nethi”), cleaning of
eyes (“thradaka”) and cleaning of phlegm (“kapalabhathi”). Besides this,
massaging of abdomen to strengthen abdominal muscles is called “nauli”. The
massaging of abdominal muscles aids in digestion and reduce constipation.
Bathing is mandatory as the 70 percentage of our weight of the body is water.
Manipulation
of vital energy (“prana”) Gestures (called as “Mudras”).
Mudras have been an
integral part of many Hindu and Buddhist rituals. They are used extensively in
Yoga and meditation. Across various disciplines it is said that there exist
close to 399 mudras.
In Hatha Yoga the
Mudras can be divided into 5 groups.
(Head
mudras (“Mana Mudras”):
Mana Mudras (Head
mudras) is commonly used in “Kundalini Yoga” practice and involves our sensory
organs. The list of mudras includes Shambavi Mudra, Nasikagra drishti, Khechari
Mudra, Kaki mudra, Bhujangini Mudra, Bhuchari Mudra, Akashi Mudra, hanmukhi and
Unmukhi Mudra.
Kaya mudras (Postural mudras):
Kaya mudras (Postural
mudras) are the combination of physical postures called as “Asanas” and
breathing exercises called as “Pranayama”. The list of mudras includes
Viparitha Karma mudra, Pasini mudra, Prana Mudra, Yoga Mudra, Manduki mudra and
Tadagi mudra.
Lock mudras (“Bandha Mudras”):
Bandha Mudras (Lock
mudras) are the most powerful Mudras of Hatha Yoga. These are applied in the
areas of throat, abdomen area and pelvic area. These mudras locks vital force
energy (“Prana”) in particular region and redirect the vital life force
(“Prana”) into Spinal Cord or “Sushumna Nadi” the central spiritual energy
channel. This leads to spiritual awakening, cessation of thought and attainment
of ultimate bliss. These includes, Mula Bandha, Uddhiyana Bandha, Jalandhara
Bandha and Mahabandha.
Perineal mudras (“Adhara mudras”):
Adhara mudras (Perineal
mudras) are the foundational mudras and it is used to redirect vital life force
(“Prana”) from the lowest part of our “Chakra” called the “Mooladhara Chakra”
to highest part of our “Chakra” called “Sahasrara Chakra”. Examples for this
mudras are Mahavedha mudra (“Perineum gesture practice”), Aswani Mudra, Vajroli
Mudra for men and Sahajoli mudra for women.
Hand Mudras (“Hasta Mudras”):
As the name suggest the
hands are involved in the practice of mudra. These are practiced by using our
hands to redirect vital life force (“Prana”) into Spinal Cord or “Sushumna
Nadi” the central spiritual energy channel.
Name in Sanskrit |
Name in
English |
Description
of Mudra |
Adhi Mudra |
Gesture of a new born baby |
The thumb is placed on the inside, at the
base of the fingers. The remaining 4 fingers are curled over the thumb to
form a fist. |
Anjali Mudra |
Gesture of respect |
Palms touching, fingers pointing up. Can be
placed in front of the sternum, forehead or overhead. |
Apana Mudra |
The mental gesture of life force |
The tips of the middle and ring fingers
touch the thumb. The other 2 fingers are extended. |
Bhairav Mudra |
A fierce or fearful attitude |
Upturned hands overlap each other, usually. |
Chinmaya Mudra |
Mudra pervaded by consciousness |
Tip of thumb and index finger touching,
other 3 fingers folded. |
Dhyana Mudra |
The mental gesture of meditation |
Upturned hands overlap each other, usually
left side above right side, thumbs touching. |
Granthitha Mudra |
Knot gesture |
The thumb and forefinger of each hand touch
at the tip and are joined together, while the other fingers are joined
together and folded at the knuckles. |
Chin/Jnana Mudra |
The mental gesture of knowledge |
The tip of the index finger touches the
thumb, the hand is raised and the other 3 fingers are extended.
|
Hakini Mudra |
|
A hand erect or finger or finger-tent where
the conjoined finger tips of the right and left hands join.
|
Hridhaya Mudra |
The gesture of the heart |
The index finger is bent under the thumb,
the middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of the thumb, and the little
finger is extended. |
Mahasir Mudra |
Big head gesture |
Done with the right hand, the ring finger
is bent into the palm, the tips of the index and middle fingers touch the tip
of the thumb, and the little finger is extended.
|
Purna/Brahma Mudra |
Full breath gesture
|
The thumb is tucked in, under the fingers,
and the remaining fingers are curled over the thumb, making a fist. Then the
hands are placed below the navel area with the fingers facing upwards and the
backs of the fingers touching. |
Prana Mudra |
Mental gestures to activate vital life
force. |
The tips of the little and ring fingers
touch the thumb and the other 2 fingers are extended. |
Prithvi Mudra |
Mental Gestures of the Earth Element |
The ring finger is bent, using the thumb,
the other 3 fingers are extended. |
Shakthi Mudra |
A mental gesture of strength
|
The middle and index fingers are folded and
touch the tips of the little and ring fingers of both hands. Sometimes the
thumb is folded into the palm. |
Shunya/Shuni Mudra |
Emptiness, empty mental gesture. |
The middle finger is bent, the thumb above
it, and the other 3 fingers extended. Sometimes the tip of the finger curled
into the ball of the thumb.
|
Varuna Mudra |
The mental gesture of elemental water. |
The little finger is bent, with the thumb,
the other 3 fingers are extended.
|
Vayu Mudra |
The mental gestures of the air element |
Tip of index finger on ball of thumb, thumb
over bent finger. The other 3 fingers are extended. |
Vishnu Mudra |
Handprint of Lord Vishnu |
Thumb, ring and little fingers extended.
The index and middle fingers are folded and touch the pad of the thumb. |
Yoni Mudra |
Attitude of womb or source |
Touching the hand with the tip of the thumb
and forefinger. The other 6 fingers are either interlocked or folded and
pressed together. |
In Haá¹hayogapradipika 3rd
chapter 3rd verse says as follows,
“Thasmath sarvaprayathnen prabhodhayithwamee
shareeram brahmadwara mukhe suptam mudhrabhyasam samachareth”
This states that, one should practice mudras in
order to awaken the “Kundalini Sakthi” which is lying latent on the “Gate of
Spinal cord” or “Brahmadwara of Sushumna nadi”. By practice of mudra “Kundalini
Sakthi” is pushed through the “Gate of Spinal cord” or “Brahmadwara of Sushumna
nadi” to “Spinal cord” “Sushumna nadi”. When “Kundalini Sakthi” passes through
“Spinal cord” (“Sushumna nadi”). When
the oscillations of the mind are stilled “Kundalini Sakthi” raises and moves
upward and pierces all 6 “Lotuses” or “Chakras” and “Knots” (“Granthis”)
reaches the 7th “Chakra” called “Crown Chakra” or “Sahasrara
Chakra”. This is the ultimate state of bliss and perfect liberation from all
afflictions and obstacles.
In Haá¹hayogapradipika 3rd chapter
7th verse Sage Swatmarama says that this knowledge was offered by
“Lord Shiva” to the world.
The number of Mudras according to Haá¹hayogapradipika
is 10 and this says in the 6th chapter 7th
verse.
“Mahamudra mahabandho mahavedhascha khechari
uddhiyanam mulabandhaschatha jalandharabhidhah karani viparithakhya vajroli
sakthichalanam idam hi mudra dhashakam jara marana nashanam”
This says the names of mudras as mahamudra,
mahabandha, mahavedha, khechari mudra, uddhiyana bandha, mulabandha, jalandhara
bandha, viparita karani mudra, vajroli mudra, saktichalani mudra.
The unusual nature of mudras (seals) is of great
importance. At first it is divine in nature and secondly it is the favourite
practice all “Siddha” (one who have achieved highest degree of spiritual
perfection and enlightenment). Thirdly success in this practice is very tough
and challenging and lastly by practicing Mudras consistently will accomplish 8
paranormal powers (“siddhis”). The most significant fact is that it is esoteric
one and should be kept secret from unworthy inquirers.
On the other hand, another text Gheranda
Samhitha from 3.1 to 3.3, provides 25 numbers of Mudras. These are mahamudra, mahabandha,
mahavedha, khechari mudra, uddhiyana bandha, mulabandha, jalandhara bandha,
viparita karani mudra, vajroli mudra, saktichalani mudra, yoni mudra, tadagi
mudra, manduki mudra, sambhavi mudra, aswani mudra, pasini mudra, kaki mudra,
matangi mudra, bhujangini mudra. Besides these there are “Panchadharana mudras
namely, parthivi dharana, ambasi dharana, agneyi dharana, vayavi dharana and
akasi dharana.