Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Mudra
A position of the hands that locks and directs the flow of energy. Literally, a seal.
Meaning
What Mudra Means
A mudra is a position of the hands that locks and guides the flow of energy and reflexes to the brain. The word itself translates as seal. In Kundalini Yoga, mudras are used throughout meditation and pranayama practice, alongside posture, breath and mantra.
In Practice
How It’s Used
The most common is Gyan Mudra, where the thumb touches the index finger, accessing the energy associated with the planet Jupiter and with wisdom. In the Sa Ta Na Ma mantra, each syllable is paired with a different mudra: Sa with Gyan Mudra (index finger, Jupiter), Ta with Shuni Mudra (middle finger, Saturn), Na with Surya Mudra (ring finger, the sun), and Ma with Budhi Mudra (little finger, Mercury).
Mudras are also used to prepare for pranayama and meditation more generally, for example hands resting in Gyan Mudra on the knees before beginning Long Deep Breathing or Breath of Fire.
