Mudras

Hasta

Hasta mudras (hand 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.

Sanskrit	English	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.
Prāna Mudra	Psychic gesture to activate life force energy	Tips of little finger and ring fingers touch thumb. Other two fingers are extended.
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

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

Sanskrit	English
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

Kaya mudras (postural mudras) combine physical postures with breathing and concentration.

Sanskrit	English
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

Bandha mudras (lock 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.

Sanskrit	English
Maha Mudra	Great mudra
Uddiyana Bandha	Upward flying lock
Mula Bandha	Root lock
Jalandhara Bandha	Throat lock, waterholder lock, net lock

Adhara

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

Sanskrit	English
Ashwini Mudra	Horse gesture
Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra	Thunderbolt/Spontaneous mudra
Maha Bheda Mudra	The great separating mudra
Maha Vedha Mudra	The great piercing mudra