Hand Mudra benefits

Mushti mudra is a yogic gesture designed to help release pent-up emotions. It is an hasta (hand) mudra and one of a series of therapeutic mudras thought to have healing properties.

To perform this mudra, each hand makes a fist and the thumb stretches over the first three fingers to touch the ring finger.

The term comes from the Sanskrit, mushti, meaning “closed hand” or “fist,” and mudra, meaning “gesture” or “seal.” This mudra, therefore, is also known as the fist mudra.

It is also thought to have the following benefits:

• Relieves negative emotions such as anger, fear and frustration.

• Eases constipation.

• Releases tension in the body.

• Clears the mind of worry and unwanted thoughts.

• Lowers blood pressure.

Fists are generally seen as a sign of aggression and one that forms naturally during times of extreme emotion, but the mudra is believed to release such emotions because they are balanced in the palm of the hands. The mudra, paired with yogic meditation, is a great stress-reducer.

Yoni mudra is a representation of a female reproductive organ or a womb. In Hinduism, the Yoni mudra is dedicated to Shakti, the feminine deity. Yoni mudra evokes the womb's 'female creative power' of childbirth. Hence, the Yoni mudra, like the goddess Shakti, gives strength and power.

Sit in Padmasana or any other meditative posture. If not possible to sit on the floor, sit on a firm chair with an erect backrest. Keep the body above the waist straight and the spine erect. Eyes closed.

The sequence of steps for Yoni Mudra:

1. Place your thumbs on the ears and the index fingers resting gently on the eyelashes.

2. Place the middle fingers on the respective nostrils.

3. The ring fingers are placed above the lips and the little fingers below them. Ensure that your elbows are at shoulder level, parallel to the ground.

4. Passively observe the breath. The mind may wander to other thoughts but gently bring it back to the breathe.

Recommended practice: Practice daily in the morning / during the day, as required. Maintain the mental state for as long as possible.

Benefits of Yoni Mudra:

• Helps the mind to withdraw the senses–reduces unnecessary mind chatter.

• Provides the required pause–needed for a change of perception.

• Greatly aids in bringing a distracted mind to attentiveness.

• Brings clarity of thought.

• Brings about peace and harmony.