Dhyana mudra.
It’s possible you’re familiar with this mudra from paintings or statues of the Buddha.
Dhyana mudra is helpful for grounding yourself in reality and for letting illusion fall away. The right hand symbolizing wisdom rests on top of the left hand which symbolizes illusion.
This mudra is also meant to help you connect with a sense of inner peace.
The best way I can describe how I feel when practicing Dhyana mudra is “connected”. I feel connected to myself and very tuned in to what is going on in my body and mind. I find that the feeling of contact between my two thumbs keeps me focused in the present moment- especially if I rest the hands on my belly and feel the thumbs draw slightly away from one another on the inhale, and feel them press deeper into each other on the exhale.
If this is the first of my mudra posts you are reading and you have never tried a mudra I suggest starting with this one! Dhyana mudra is simple to remember how to do and can be very helpful to you in your meditation practice if you have trouble staying tuned in to the present moment.
It is said that the triangular shape formed underneath your thumbs and above your palms represents the three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Sangha (community) and dharma (teachings).
It is also said that Dhyana mudra helps with healing—though I think that is true of all the mudras!
To practice Dhyana mudra
1. rest hands palm face up right hand on top of left.
2. lightly bring your thumbs to touch.
Add this to the beginning or end of your yoga practice, at the beginning of your meditation practice to help focus your mind, or just sit and breathe while holding this mudra for five minutes.
Let me know if you try it!
Hakini Mudra
Finding it easier to drop in to your meditation session when using a mantra but want to take your level of focus (dharana) to the next level? Hakini mudra to the rescue! This is the mudra for focus, concentration, memory, and clarity.
This is my go to mudra before I need to sit down for a couple hours of paper writing.
In Hakini mudra we create a complete circuit of energy in the body by bringing the fingers to touch. It is said that this mudra helps to bring together the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
When I practice Hakini mudra I like to imagine all my scattered energy being drawn back into the center where I can allow it to settle.
Sit with this mudra for anywhere from 2-10 minutes or until you feel ready to focus on your task at hand!
Let me know if you try it out!
Ksepana Mudra
The mudra for letting go. ⠀
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I have experienced feeling fairly “empty” after practicing this mudra so If you would like to add Ksepana mudra to this week’s Yin practice (see previous post) I would suggest sitting in meditation with the mudra for a few minutes and then transitioning into the yin poses to ground you and get you back into your body. ⠀
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Ksepana mudra is for emptying yourself of negative energy to make space for new and positive energy! Negative energy includes physical ailments and negative thoughts, experiences, and memories. ⠀
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As you hold the mudra visualize what you want to let go of and imagine you can let go a little bit more with each exhaaaaale. ⠀
You can hold the mudra in front of your heart, or point your fingers down in a gesture of letting go and releasing. If you are lying down you can point the fingers towards your feet. ⠀
Sit with this mudra for a few minutes, add it to your meditation, or begin and/or close your yin or other asana practice with it!
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Let me know if you try it- and how it feels!! Happy mudra-ing! ⠀
My Roots Run Deep Into the Center of the Living Earth
Post holiday rest *part 2*
Did you do the yin poses from part 1 but still feel a bit disconnected, scattered and ungrounded ? Calm and center the mind and body even more by adding the very grounding “bhu mudra” either in seated meditation before and/or after the yin poses, or even incorporate it into the yin poses.
To do the Bhu mudra simply place the tips of your peace fingers on the ground as shown in the image.
Option to add the mantra:
“my roots run deep into the center of the living earth.”
(not sure if the credit for this mantra goes to Jennifer Reis or Joseph LePage?)
Close your meditation practice or yin practice with the intention of offering some of the peace and joy you experienced in the last 20 minutes to those who made it possible for you to have these 20 undisturbed minutes to yourself 🙏