List of mudras (yoga)

This is a list of Yoga mudras. In yoga, mudrās are used in conjunction with pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), generally while seated in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana pose, to stimulate different parts of the body and mind, and to affect the flow of prana in the body.

Hasta (hand mudras)

Hasta mudras may be conducive for meditation, and help in internalization. Many hand mudrās evolved for use in rituals, especially within tantra. Others developed as iconographical symbols for depictions of deities in statues and paintings. Others were developed for non-verbal story telling in traditional dance. In the Hevajra Tantra hand mudrās are used to identify oneself to the goddesses at different holy sites.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Description
Anjali Mudra Gesture of reverence Offering; Prayer Palms touching, fingers pointing upward. May be placed in front of the sternum, the forehead, or overhead.
Dhyana Mudra Psychic gesture of meditation Upturned hands overlapping each other, usually right on top of left, with the thumbs touching.
Vāyu Mudra Psychic gesture of air Tip of index finger on the ball of the thumb, with thumb over the bent finger. Other three fingers are extended.
Shunya Mudra (or Shuni Mudra) Psychic gesture of void or empty Middle finger bent, with thumb over it. Other three fingers are extended. Sometimes, tip of the bent finger on the ball of the thumb.
Prithvi Mudra Psychic gesture of earth Ring finger bent, with thumb over it. Other three fingers are extended.
Varuna Mudra Psychic gesture of Rain Little finger bent, with thumb over it. Other three fingers are extended.
Shakti Mudra Psychic gesture of power Tips of little and ring fingers of both hands touching, with middle and index fingers folded. Sometimes, thumb folded towards the palm.
Hakini Mudra Hand-steepling or finger-tenting: joining matching fingertips of right and left hands.[1]
Prāna Mudra Psychic gesture to activate life force energy Tips of litte finger and ring fingers touch thumb. Other two fingers are extended.[2]
Apāna Mudra Psychic gesture of life force Tips of middle and ring fingers touch thumb. Other two fingers are extended.
Gyana Mudra (or Chin Mudra) Psychic gesture of knowledge Tip of index finger touches thumb, hand upturned. Other three fingers are extended.
Jnana Mudra Psychic gesture of consciousness Tip of index finger touches thumb, hand overturned. Other three fingers are extended.
Chinmaya Mudra Pervaded by consciousness mudrā Tip of thumb and index finger touching. Other three fingers are folded.
Yoni Mudra Attitude of the womb or source Hands touching by the tips of thumbs and index fingers. Other six fingers are either interlaced or folded and pressed together.
Bhairav Mudra Fierce or terrifying attitude Upturned hands overlapping each other, usually right on top of left.
Hridaya Mudra Heart gesture Index finger bent under the thumb. Middle and ring finger touching tip of thumb. Little finger extended.
Vishnu Mudra Hand gesture of Lord Vishnu Thumb, ring and little finger extended. Index and middle finger folded and touching pad of thumb.
Granthita Mudra Knot gesture Thumb and index fingers of each hand touch at tips and are interlaced, other fingers are interlaced and folded at the knuckles.
Mahasir Mudra Great head gesture Done with the right hand. Ring finger is curled into the palm. The tips of the index and middle finger touch the tip of the thumb. Little finger extended.

Māna (head mudras)

Māna mudras are an important part of Kundalini yoga, and many are important meditation techniques in their own right.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Shambhavi Mudra Eyebrow centre gazing with eyes half-open
Nasikagra Drishti Nosetip gazing
Khechari Mudra Tongue lock
Kaki mudra The crow's beak
Bhujangini Mudra Cobra respiration
Bhoochari Mudra Gazing into nothingness
Akashi mudra Awareness of inner space
Shanmukhi mudra Closing the six gates
Unmani Mudra The attitude of mindlessness

Kaya (postural mudras)

Kaya mudras combine physical postures with breathing and concentration.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Prana Mudra Energy (breath) seal
Vipareeta Karani Mudra Inverted seal
Yoga Mudra Union mudra
Pashinee Mudra Folded mudra
Manduki Mudra Gesture of the frog
Tadagi Mudra Barrelled abdomen technique

Bandha (lock mudras)

Bandha mudras are a type of mudra performed on the three diaphragms (respiratory, vocal, and pelvic). They are used in conjunction with holding the breath (kumbhaka) during pranayama.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Maha Mudra Great mudra
Uddiyana Bandha Upward flying lock
Mula Bandha Root lock
Jalandhara Bandha Throat lock, waterholder lock, net lock

Adhara (perineal mudras)

Adhara mudras are performed on the pelvic floor area and often relate to harnessing sexual energy.

Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other Meanings Illustration
Ashwini Mudra Horse gesture[3]
Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra Thunderbolt/Spontaneous mudra
Maha Bheda Mudra The great separating mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra The great piercing mudra

See also

References
  1. "Hakini Mudra for Brain Power". Wellbeing Mantras. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  2. https://chopra.com/articles/10-powerful-mudras-and-how-to-use-them
  3. "Ashwini Mudra and Abundant Siddhis". Power Yoga Centre. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

Further reading
  • Media related to Mudras at Wikimedia Commons
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