4 Mudras to Add More Meaning to Your Practice

Mudras are used in yoga and meditation to help you seal your energy and set an intention—two aspects of your practice that can be especially helpful during the hectic holiday season. Here, Coral Brown, a licensed mental-health counselor and senior Prana Vinyasa Flow teacher, shares four great mudras for this time of year:

Garuda Mudra

Garuda Mudra is named after the eagle that Vishnu—the lord of preservation—rides. It can help you cultivate the discipline you need to stick with your daily yoga practice when life gets busy. Turn your hands so that the palms face up, and cross your right hand over your left, interlacing your thumbs.

See also 5 Mudras to Feel Connected and Centered

Prana Mudra

Prana Mudra is great if you need a quick pick-me-up, as it elicits the vitality that resides within our prana, or life force. Extend your arms forward and bring the thumb, ring, and pinky fingers of each hand to touch while lengthening the index and middle fingers.

See also 8 Mudra and Reiki Hand Positions for Instant Calm

Tattva Mudra

Tattva Mudra reminds us that the true nature of the Self, or our fundamental essence, is transcendent, unchanging, pure, and whole. Bring each thumb to the base of the ring finger in Tattva (reality or truth) Mudra.

Ganesha Mudra

Ganesha Mudra is named after the Hindu deity who removes obstacles, which can make the mudra especially powerful during this season. Bring your palms to touch, then swivel your hands so that your fingertips point toward opposite elbows, with your right palm facing your heart. Bend your fingers and slide your hands across each other until your fingers lock.

See also 3 Body Mudras for a Fresh Start

Coral Brown is a licensed mental health counselor who draws on her extensive experience in yoga, philosophy, and holistic counseling to provide fertile, open space for the process of healing and transformation. Coral is a senior Prana Vinyasa Flow teacher and has also trained in the Iyengar and Jivamukti methods. She leads teacher trainings as well as retreats and workshops worldwide. Coral is a regular contributor to Yoga Journal and is a featured teacher on Yoga Vibes and OneOEight.tv. Learn more at coralbrown.net.