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 Powerful Energy
Sabrina Mesko, Power Mudras, Yoga Hand Postures for Women, uses this Mudra to evoke your power of love and beauty. I was attracted to this mudra’s emphasis on powerful energy after contemplating the powerful energy of the Yoga pose for the month—Warrior I. When I saw that she associated it with power of love and beauty, it was a perfect reminder that a peaceful warrior is a powerful warrior. Lesson learned.
This Mudra emphasizes ring finger contact in the straight position. I found this interesting reference to Yoga Mudras that details more of the science behind Mudras, as well as gives some meaning to the fingers emphasized:
“ A scientific look
Any living body is made of 5 distinct elements:
FIRE WIND ETHER EARTH WATER
These are not as per science’s definition of elements but refer to the five building blocks that go into the formation of any living body. Several ancient health systems are based on the concept of the balance of the five elements. Indian Medical science according to Ayurveda and metaphysics affirm that distortion or impairment of the 5 elements create outer disturbance and inner sickness in the body.
The 5 fingers of the hands represent these 5 elements:
| The Thumb | symbolizes the Fire |
| The Forefinger | symbolizes the Wind |
| The Middle finger | symbolizes the Ether |
| The Ring finger | symbolizes the Earth |
| The Little or small finger | symbolizes the Water |
The finger tips of every living being have many concentrated nerve root endings which are free energy discharge points. Science also confirms that around every tip there is a concentration of free electrons. By touching together of the tips of the fingers or the finger tips to other parts of the palms this free energy (Prana) is redirected back into the body along specified channels, back up to the brain. The redirected energy traveling through the nerves stimulates the various chakras. Keeping the hands on the knees stimulates the Gupta Nari and makes the energy start from the Mooladhara Chakra (Root Chakra).
Thus, the tension applied to the nerve/s and/or the neural or psycho-neural circuits formed by the mudras help in balancing the five basic elements (or building blocks). This balancing of the tension and redirection of the internal energy effects the changes in veins, tendons, glands and sensory organs, to bring the body back to a healthy state.
Keeping specified nerves stretched for specified periods tones up of the nervous system. The fingers of each hand are held folded in certain specific postures and this provides the required tension on the nerves.
The fingers of each and every individual in the world are different in their shapes and sizes. These are determined and provided by nature as a tool to bring the nerves into prime condition when affected adversely.
Thus, they provide a different ‘end tension’ on the nerves when different individuals fold their fingers or the same individual folds the fingers by different methods in different Mudras. This is exactly the tension required by that individual for that particular application. Nature has already bestowed us with the tools to be used to keep us healthy.
Compare this with Acupressure where the nerves are influenced by the application of pressure on certain points or Acupuncture, where slight electrical impulses are conveyed through needles inserted in the body. The advantage in Mudras is that the pressure to be applied on the nerves is automatic and controlled by the shape and size of the fingers and not by external agencies.
Because the Mudras work on the nerves, they are a NEURAL SCIENCE.”
http://mudravigyan.com/Mudra.html
I love the connection between Warrior I and the groundedness it brings, and the earth energy of the ring finger in this month’s Mudra. Enjoy!
Sitting in “easy-seated pose” with a straight spine, raise your hands to your Solar Plexus area. Clasp the hands with the ring fingers straight and pressed flat against each other, and all the other fingers interlaced. The right thumb rests on top of the left thumb, and the left pinky finger is the last finger at the bottom facing our lap, Photo #18.
Practice this Mudra for three minutes and then sit in silence with the breath long, deep, and slow. This Mudra works with the heart, throat, and third eye chakras which vibrate to green, blue, and indigo. If you want to add a mantra to this practice, Sabrina suggests “OOOOONG” which translates to “God as Creator in Manifestations.”
She adds affirmations in line with beauty and love:
- I am all things beautiful
- I reflect love, happiness, and the harmony of nature
Source: Power Mudras, Yoga Hand Postures for Women, Sabrina Mesko.
