The Sanskrit word mudra can be translated as “to seal,
close, or lock up” or “gesture, symbol, expression of”.
Mudras in yoga are the combination of subtle physical
movements which alter mood, attitude and perception,
and which deepen awareness and concentration. When
we think of prana as being the electricity of the body, we
can also think of the mudras as creating a “short-circuit”
in the flow of that energy within the body. Mudras
manipulate prana in much the same way that a mirror or
a cliff face diverts the energy in the form of light or sound
waves. The nadis and chakas constantly radiate prana
that normally escapes from the body and dissipates into
the external world. By creating barriers within the body
through the practice of mudra, the energy is redirected
within.
More Mudra Theory
 In yogic thinking, our body is made up of five
elements – fire, air, ether, earth and water. Each
of our five fingers represents one of these
elements.
 The thumb represents fire.
 The index finger represents air.
 The middle finger represents ether or space.
 The ring finger represents earth.
 The little finger represents water.
Namaste, Namaskara
(salutation), Anjali mudra
Place your hands together in
front of your chest. Touch
your sternum with your
thumbs and keep your elbows
released down to relax the
shoulders and open the
chest.
It supports and harmonizes
coordination of the right and
left hemispheres of the brain.
It brings energy to the heart
and creates balance,
harmony and peace inside. It
expresses sincere greeting,
respect and gratitude.
Jnana (wisdom) mudra
and chin (consciousness)
mudra
The index finger
represents individual
consciousness
(microcosm/ Atman), while
the thumb is symbolic of
higher consciousness
(macrocosm/ Brahman),
therefore this mudra
expresses the ultimate
goal of yoga - the union of
one’s little self with the
cosmic supreme self.
There are two ways to
perform it. In passive
position we touch the tips
of the thumb and the index
finger, while in active
variation, we fold the index
finger under the thumb so
that the fingernail is on the
second joint of the thumb.
The other three fingers are
straightened in a relaxed
way. We do this with each
hand, placing them on the
knees with palms of both
hand facing upwards for
jnana mudra or palms
facing downwards for chin
mudra .
 Jnana and chin mudras are most widely
used mudras in yoga. They clear the mind
and give receptivity and calmness, release
mental tension and promote concentration.
On the physical level they can be used for
insomnia, depression, and high blood
pressure.
 Zoyayoga.com
Chinmaya Mudra – gesture of
manifested consciousness.
The four folded fingers
represent the finite aspects of
the world around us. The
closed fist shows that the
phenomenal world seems to
be severely limited, blind and
unconscious. The thumb
pointing forwards indicates
the consciousness and the
transcendental aspect of
existence that pervades
everything. The material
world is linked intimately with
consciousness. This is
indicated by the contact
between the index finger and
the thumb.
Adi Mudra
Activates the
higher lobes of
the lungs and
udana prana
Brahma Mudra
– gesture of
all-pervading
consciousness
Nasika (nose)
mudra
Nasika mudra is
only used while
performing nadi
shodhana,
alternate nostril
breathing
Vishnu mudra
– also for
alternate
nostril
breathing
Bhairava and
Bhairavi Mudra
When the right
hand is placed on
top it is the Shiva
aspect, Bhairava.
When the left is on
top it is Bhairavi,
the Shakti aspect;
consciousness and
manifestation.
Buddhist mudra
Dyana Mudra, also
known as Samadhi or
Yoga Mudra
Seen in statues and
paintings of the
Buddha. Dyana mudra
is believed to be the
final mudra assumed by
the Buddha, and
therefore the one he
carried into full
Samadhi, or
enlightenment.