Hasta Mudras
Hasta is the Sanskrit world for hand. As well as directing prana, hand mudras show an intention,
emotion or idea, often sacred. They are an important part of Indian dance, with precise
movements helping to tell the story of the dance. Hasta mudras are also widely used by Buddhists
to invoke particular qualities of the Buddha. How to do these mudras varies from text to text.
Namaste/Anjali The divine in me salutes the divine
Mudra/Namaskara Mudra in you. Gesture of peace,
supplication and humility. Signifies
balance between the two side of
the body, male and female, shiva
and shakti
Jnana/Gyana Mudra – from the Main mudra of meditation. It
word gyana or jnana meaning true suggests the ability to discriminate
knowledge between truth and unreality.
Calmness and knowledge
Chin Mudra Same as for jnana mudra, but
hands are held palm down. Can be
on the thigh or near the top of the
thigh. Said to promote abdominal
breathing
Chin Maya Mudra The three extended fingers are
folded into the palm. Said to
promote intercostal breathing
Adhi Mudra Thumb is placed in the palm with
all four fingers folded over it. Said
to promote calvicular or upper
chest breathing
Brahma Mudra Same as Adhi Mudra, but knuckles
are placed against each other at
the based of the rib cage. Said to
promote the full yogic breath
Prithvi Mudra Mudra of the earth
Vayu Mudra – vayu means air, Mudra of the air/prana
specifically prana as in prana vayus
Yoni Mudra – like an unborn baby Fingers are used to seal the eyes,
– not contact with the outside ears, lips and nose. Promotes
world pratyahara
Note: There are also mudras for the body, like Yoga Mudra
Paul Fox/Hasta Mudras/Nov 10