17-Oct-2009

Signed-Sealed-Delivered

Better Know a Mudra

Every statue or painting depicting a deity from the East has one shared characteristic – they’re all doing curious things with their hands. These gestures convey an array of meanings, from the thunderbolt of Shiva to the Teaching Buddha. But for us mortals, mudras can be equally, if not more, impactful.

The word mudra means “seal,” like closing the lid on a Mason jar. By either lightly touching the tip of any digit to the thumb-tip or by catching any of your fingernails with the mound of the thumb’s tip, you engage the body’s meridians. Try it with any finger, using both hands. Sit and breathe for just three minutes and you will sense a shift in your psyche. Each finger has a specific impact, which will be explored here at Yogamint in the weeks to come. For now, try it with your ring finger, otherwise known as the “sun” finger, whenever you are low on energy. Keep that seal closed and you’ll feel the difference!