Often mudras are put into connection with Yoga, sitting in meditation. But it is more to them as they can as well help to bring more “meaning to our awareness and into our expressions” (Mudras of India, book) and help our body and mind to heal.
I tend to use them at times when I feel stressed, exhausted or with the kids during train or metro rides. I sometimes mix them together and create a flow of finger movements, that seems to take away tension, boredom and helps to refocus and energises at times again.
With the kids I do not put too much meaning behind it, yet use it in a fun way. If you go deeper into the meaning of mudras you will find that mudras can help with energy flow. As stated on the webpage of the International Yoga Day 2016 (http://idayofyoga.org) “The physical body is made up of five elements namely, Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Sky. A mudra is a gesture or positioning of the hands intended to direct energy flow and to connect parts of the body to the brain as life force energy flows through the body. Certain yoga mudras are believed to instigate particular energy flows and stimulate different emotions, spiritual reactions and reactions in the body. By pressing together, curling, touching or pointing different fingers or parts of the hands in different ways, you can stimulate reflexes from the hand to the brain.”
Either way, whether you use it in a fun, relaxed way or want to gain a deeper inside and use them as support for any specific concerns. Mudras are fun way to put the mind at ease! Just the movement of connecting the fingertips often brings calmness and focus back to an agitated mind.
And if you want to get into the flow, here are our top three mudras we tend to combine in below shown order these days. Try to stay in a flow for a minute or longer and adjust your breathing to the movement, nice, slow, deep and relaxed.
Above mentioned Mudras are based on the book ‘Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance Mudras of India’. A great resource book, with pictures, descriptions, techniques and benefits for body and mind. Mudras of India.
Have fun, and enjoy the day,
Love, AK