Mudra means “seal” in Sanskrit.
It’s a symbolic or ritual gesture using primarily the hands. Each position is believed to have a specific effect. Specific positions can lead to specific states of consciousness symbolized by the hand positions. For example, if a person frequently and with feeling does a position of fearlessness, they will also be freed from fearfulness in time. Mudras are said to engage areas of the brain and/or soul influencing them, sometimes physically, by their use not unlike an affirmation, or reflexology for that matter.
Mudra for Protecting your Health
In keeping with self-empowering our body’s to do what comes naturally—stay healthy, this month’s mudra focuses on protecting our health. Practicing this mudra is said to balance the distribution of red and white blood cells and defend your overall health.
Sitting in “easy-seated pose” with legs crossed and back straight, raise the right-hand as though you are taking an oath. Hold the index and middle fingers together and pointing straight up while you curl the ring and pinky finger down and bend the thumb over them. You hold the left hand in the same fashion with the palm facing the chest and your straight fingers making contact with your heart area. The straight fingers are to be “as straight as possible to create a strong electromagnetic field around you.”
Coupling the mudra with the following breath adds to the benefits. If you have any health concerns regarding holding your breath, please do not do the following breath practice. Inhale for 20 seconds, hold for 20 seconds, and then exhale for 20 seconds. Do this for a few minutes while pulling your navel in as much as possible and then relax.
Source: Healing Mudras. Yoga for your hands, Sabrina Mesko
