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TRANSCRIPT
Mudras
The Sanskrit word ‘Mudra’ is translated as – gesture or attitude. They are subtle physical movements which play a very important role in Yoga practice as they alter mood, attitude and perception and develop and deepen awareness and concentration. A Mudra may involve the whole body in a combination of Asana, Pranayama and Bandha or it could be a simple hand position and are considered as precious tools on the path of spiritual awakening
• The Hatha Yoga Pradapika considers Mudras to be an independent branch of Yoga – requiring subtle awareness that should only be practiced when proficiency in Asana, Pranayama and Bandha are attained....
• Mudras are higher practices which lead to the awakening of the Pranas, Chakras and Kundalini
How do they work?
We can learn a great deal by observing body language – how someone walks, sits or acts is often a reflection of their mental attitude. A person who is frightened will walk very differently to someone who is angry for instance!!
• This body language is a constant communication between Annamaya Kosha (the physical body) and the other Koshas via a network of Nadis in Pranamaya Kosha
(this flow of consciousness is a two way process – people experiencing altered states of consciousness have been known to spontaneously practice mudras)
• Mudras are a means to access and influence instinctive / primal habit patterns by establishing a non intellectual link with the part of the brain where they originate
• Each Mudra sets up a different link having a specific effect on the body, mind and Prana.
• Their aim is to create fixed, repetitive postures which snap the practitioner out of instinctive habit patterns and establish and encourage a more refined consciousness
Mudras and Prana
The attitudes and postures adopted during Mudra practices also establisha direct link between Annamaya Kosha, (the physical body) Manomaya Kosha, (the mental body) and Pranamaya Kosha, (the pranic body)
• Initially this allows the Yogi to develop awareness of the flow of prana within the body – linking this individual pranic flow witht he universal of cosmic force.
• Ultimately they establish balance within the Kosha system enabling the redirection of subtle energy to the upper chakras, inducing higher states of consciousness.
• This is achieved by creating barriers to contain and direct prana – rather than letting it escape from the body and dissolve into the external world
• For example – when the eyes are held shut with the fingers in Shanmukhi Mudra this energy is reflected back into the body
• Mudras enhance the state of Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration) and because of their ability to redirect Prana are important practices for awakening Kundalini
The Five Categories of Yoga Mudras
Hasta -‐ (Hand Mudras)
Hasta mudras or “hand gestures” redirect prana being emitted by the hands back into the body.
• Hasta mudras are the most common and numerous of the categories of yogic mudras and are used to regulate the flow of Prana in the body and prepare the mind for meditation.
• The human hand contains about 100,000 nerves and each fingertip has about 3,000 nerve receptors, just under the surface of the skin.
• In the brain the hand takes up a very large proportion of the brain's cortex, and each area of the hand is linked to a different part of the brain.
• When we apply pressure to the fingers and hands, we stimulate related brain areas. So we use Hasta Mudras to activate pressure points, give messages to the body-‐mind energy system and change brain patterns, encouraging a deep sense of internalisation.
Hasta Mudras include:
Gyana Mudra (palm down)
& Chin Mudra (palm up)
Yoni Mudra
Bhairava Mudra
Hridaya Mudra
Mana – (Head Mudras)
These practices form an integral part of Kundalini Yoga and many of them are meditation techniques in their own right. They utilise the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and lips. They are used to develop a state of Pratyahara – directing the consciousness inwards
Hasta Mudras include:
Shambhavi Mudra
Nasikagra Mudra
Kechari Mudra
Shanmukhi Mudra
Kaya – (Postural Mudras)
These practices utilise physical postures combined with breathing and concentration. They stimulate and open the Chakras awakening Kundalini energy.
Kaya Mudras include:
Vipareeta Karani Mudra
Yoga Mudra
Prana Mudra -‐ See page 44 of home practice manual
Bandha -‐ (Locking Mudras)
These practices use Bandha (locks) and Mudra (attitude) – they charge the system with Prana to enable Kundalini awakening – similar to Kaya Mudras.
Bandha Mudras include:
Maha Mudra
Maha Beda Mudra
Maha Veda Mudra
Adhana – (Perineal Mudras)
These techniques redirect subtle energy from the lower centres to the brain. They stimulate the endocrine system and strengthen the body’s vital energy.
Bandha Mudras include:
Ashwini Mudra
Vajroli and Sahajoli Mudra
See pages 48 and 49 in Home Practice manual.....