FIRE MUDRAS
BOOSTING INNER STRENGTH AND SELF-ESTEEM
Part of hand: thumb
Element: fire
Related chakra: solar plexus
Physical associations: digestion, muscles, sense of sight
Emotional associations: inner strength, willpower, self-esteem, courage, ambition
‘O Agni [Fire], light the path so that we may gather the good we have planted. Help us to remove whatever negativity is within us. You know all our actions. We offer our salutations to you.’
Isha Upanishad
The mudras in this chapter focus attention on the thumb. They relate to the element fire and to the solar plexus chakra, which controls the energy that ‘fires up’ all the other chakras (see pages 14–15). In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, the thumb is said to stimulate the pitta dosha, the energy that causes things to ripen and mature (see pages 18–19). Pitta’s energy is responsible for all forms of physical, mental and spiritual transformation. Because of this, the mudras in this chapter can help you to develop inner strength and transform your life into anything you want it to be.
In Sanskrit, fire is called agni, a term that encompasses all matter in radiant form, including the sun, light, lightning, heat, magnetism and electricity. The qualities of the fire element are energy, warmth, luminosity, radiance and the power of transformation. Fire has the quality of what is known in yogic terms as rajas, or activity and passion; this is what gives form and colour to life.
A healthy fire element is key to maintaining physical wellbeing. All your body processes – from cellular metabolism onward – involve burning nutrients to create energy and generate heat. For example, if you keep your digestive fire burning at a steady pace, food will be properly digested and you’ll be better nourished and hence better able to ward off disease.
Emotionally, having a well-balanced fire element empowers you to develop the courage to face life’s challenges and not be afraid of taking responsibility for their outcome. It assists you in developing such positive qualities as honour, integrity, courage, charisma, willpower, self-esteem and decisiveness. The fire element also gives your mind the strength to ponder and deliberate. When your mind is ‘fired up’, you are better able to grasp ideas, understand what you have heard, nourish yourself with thoughts and be more in touch with your feelings.
Energetically, the thumb is a very important part of the hand because special pranic currents pass through it that connect you to the ‘seat’ of your fire element, the manipura or solar plexus chakra (see page 17). This chakra governs your digestive system as well as your muscles and eyes. Poor eyesight, digestive complaints, food intolerances, high or low blood sugar, diabetes, eating disorders and a tendency to muscle spasms can all respond well to regular practice of the fire mudras and associated exercises in this chapter.
Without ‘fire’ in the form of light, you would not be able to see. On a less literal level, being ‘seen’ can be understood as the need to be acknowledged as a unique individual. When this need is not met – for example, when someone ignores you, fails to recognize your capabilities and talents or demeans you – anger often follows. Anger – whether expressed or not – as well as burning hatred, vanity and pride are the negative emotions associated with an imbalance in the energy of the solar plexus chakra. By practising the pitta-related mudras in this chapter, you can help to counter such difficult feelings and find more emotional balance.
Above all, as you work with the fire mudras, notice your willpower becoming stronger, and your self-image and self-confidence starting to improve. You will probably find yourself becoming a person with ‘fire in the belly’ – with the energy to put your thoughts and dreams into action.
Fire mudras at a glance |
||
Mudra |
Benefit |
Page |
Agni |
Increases willpower and self-confidence; balances heat |
36 |
Guru |
Aids physical and emotional balance |
37 |
Manipura |
Increases willpower and courage; boosts digestion |
38 |
Linga |
Generates heat and invigorates the body |
39 |
Surya |
Gives inspiration; counters lethargy; cleanses the body |
40 |
Pushan |
Aids absorption of nutrients, prana and new ideas |
42 |
Kamajayi |
Encourages moderation; directs energy into healthy channels |
43 |
Ashva-ratna |
Counters negative behaviour patterns; helps in exploring new possibilities |
44 |
Adho-mukha |
Stimulates wisdom and prepares your mind for meditation |
45 |
Shankha |
Alleviates problems caused by too much ‘heat’ in body and mind |
46 |
Pitta-pacifying |
Decreases excess heat, physically and emotionally |
48 |
Pitta-energizing |
Boosts self-esteem and encourages positive perception |
49 |
Dhyana Mudra |
Aids in meditation and in accessing your full potential |
50 |
Fire Gesture
Agni Mudra helps to balance the heat within your body, and enhances your willpower and self-confidence. In the yoga tradition, it is valued for meditation, centring your energy while filling you with enthusiasm and vitality.
You may recognize this as the thumbs-up gesture used in the West as a sign that something is a good idea, or much liked. Its origins are said to lie in the Roman era, when crowds at gladiator battles voted with their thumbs on whether the winning gladiator should kill his opponent: thumbs-up signified continued life.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Each hand does something different:
Right hand – make a fist with the thumb pointing straight up.
Left hand – open your hand, with the palm facing up.
Place your right fist on your left palm and, maintaining this position, rest both hands in your lap. Hold as you sit quietly or meditate. Repeat daily.
HOW IT WORKS
By freeing your thumbs from the other fingers, you free the fire element from the influence of the four other elements. This strengthens the nourishing fiery energy yogis call samana vayu. Holding Agni Mudra can increase your sensations of vitality and energy.
ACCOMPANYING AFFIRMATION: THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE MUDRA BECOME STRONGER WHEN YOU MENTALLY REPEAT THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATION WHILE HOLDING IT: ‘I OFFER MY NEGATIVE QUALITIES TO THE FIRE OF TRANSFORMATION.’
Jupiter Gesture
Recommended for cultivating physical and emotional equilibrium, this is a two-thumbed variation of Agni Mudra (see opposite). Guru is the Sanskrit name for Jupiter, and the gesture is used in Indian dance to refer to the planet or a teacher.
Yogis may know this mudra by its alternative name Merudanda Mudra. Meru is the name of the mountain at the centre of the universe in the Indian tradition; danda a stick or staff. When the terms are used together, they relate to your spine, the central point of balance and steadiness in your body.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Make fists with both hands, with your thumbs pointing straight up. Rest the fists on their respective knees. Hold for as long as you can sit quietly or meditate.
HOW IT WORKS
Placing your thumbs in this position promotes the steadiness of the manipura chakra at the horizontal centre of your body, leading to increased emotional and energetic balance. If you meditate, practising with your hands in this mudra helps align the spine, creating vertical balance in your body, too.
ACCOMPANYING EXERCISE: GURU MUDRA MAKES EYE EXERCISES MORE EFFECTIVE. WITH BOTH HANDS IN THE MUDRA, LIFT YOUR RIGHT ARM TO EYE LEVEL AND SLOWLY MOVE IT AS FAR RIGHT AS YOU CAN SEE IT; DO NOT MOVE YOUR HEAD. SLOWLY BRING YOUR ARM BACK TO CENTRE. CHANGE ARMS AND REPEAT TO THE LEFT. REPEAT 2–3 TIMES EACH WAY.
Solar Plexus Chakra Gesture
This gesture strengthens digestion, boosts willpower and gives you the courage to ‘turn over a new leaf’ and transform your life. This is the key mudra of manipura, the solar plexus chakra, which houses your most prized possession: your sense of self, personality and charisma. How well it functions determines how the world sees you.
Regular practice of this mudra can enhance self-esteem, self-discipline and self-reliance, and help you to develop a healthier self-image and ability to take ‘safe’ risks.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Have both palms facing down, with all the fingers extended. Slightly lower your left index finger and lift the middle finger next to it. Place your right index finger on top of your left index finger; slide it under the left middle finger, and rest the tip on top of the left ring finger. Bend the left middle finger down and curl the right middle finger over the top of the left index finger, so the two middle fingers touch. Bring the tip of the left index finger on top of the right ring finger. Join the tips of the two little fingers, and the ends of the thumbs. Hold for 5–10 minutes; it gets easier with practice.
HOW IT WORKS
Since each finger relates to the energy of a different element in Indian philosophy, interconnecting the fingers connects all your energetic circuits.
ACCOMPANYING CHANT: TO OPTIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF THIS MUDRA, CLOSE YOUR EYES AS YOU HOLD THE MUDRA AND MENTALLY REPEAT THE MANTRA OF THE MANIPURA CHAKRA, ‘RAM’.
Mark of Siva
This mudra represents the Hindu god Siva, who developed techniques to unleash the potential dormant within us, which he named ‘yoga’. He is considered to be the first yoga teacher. A linga is a form that represents the infinite, which has no form. It is the mark of Siva, who in yoga philosophy represents consciousness.
Linga Mudra generates heat and generally invigorates the body. With its pittastimulating qualities, it is also valued for its ability to stop the production of excess mucus, give strength to the lungs, and cure colds, bronchial infections and other imbalances of kapha (see pages 18–19).
Caution: Avoid during menopause; with a thyroid condition, ulcers, hypertension or migraines; and after a stroke. Also in summer, as this mudra generates heat.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Interlock the fingers of both hands with your right thumb on top. Lift your left thumb and extend it vertically; encircle your left thumb with the thumb and index finger of your right hand. Maintaining this hand position, rest your hands in your lap or against your solar plexus, the site of your manipura chakra. Hold for 12–20 minutes daily.
HOW IT WORKS
Because the fire element of your thumb comes into close contact with all the other elements in your other fingers, it stimulates all of them. This has an invigorating effect.
ACCOMPANYING AFFIRMATION: SIT WITH YOUR HANDS IN LINGA MUDRA AND JUST WATCH YOUR MIND. IF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS START TO COME UP, MENTALLY REPEAT THIS AFFIRMATION: ‘I OFFER ALL NEGATIVE QUALITIES INTO THE FIRE OF TRANSFORMATION.’
Sun Seal
You will find Surya Mudra helpful any time you feel in need of inspiration or would like to counter lethargy of the body or mind. In Sanskrit, Surya is one of the names of the sun, our most visible form of the element fire. Inspired by the light of the sun, darkness (in the form of depression) disappears and heaviness lifts from the heart.
Regular practice of this mudra generally improves digestion and elimination. It stimulates your body to burn excess fat and reduces cholesterol, helping you to cleanse yourself and lose weight.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting or kneeling position (see pages 20–21). You can use either or both hands. Bring your ring finger down to touch the root of the thumb of the same hand; press down on your ring finger with your thumb. Extend the other fingers, allowing them to relax. Hold for up to 45 minutes daily, or for 3 sessions of 15 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS
The ring finger (the finger of the earth element) is depressed by the thumb (the fire element), symbolically bowing to the light of the sun. The root of your thumb – representing your drive in life and creative power – is stimulated by the ring finger. As your thumb presses down on the ring finger, the fire element of the thumb decreases the negative aspects of earth energy, such as inertia. This helps burn off ‘stagnant’ impurities and fires you with new inspiration in life.
ACCOMPANYING VISUALIZATION: SIT WITH EACH OF YOUR HANDS IN SURYA MUDRA. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND VISUALIZE THE LIGHTNESS OF THE EARLY MORNING SUN. PRACTISE THIS FOR 3–5 MINUTES WHENEVER YOU FEEL HEAVY AND LETHARGIC.
SURYA MUDRA
IN A BREATHING PRACTICE
Surya Bheda Pranayama: Sun Breathing
In yoga, the left side of the body is considered moon-related and cool. By bringing your left hand into Surya Mudra and resting it on your left leg, you counteract the chilling aspect and enhance the warming effects of this breathing exercise. Perform in the morning on an empty stomach or as a 3pm pick-me-up. Avoid in the evening.
1 Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Bring your left hand into Surya Mudra and rest the back of the hand on your left knee or thigh.
2 Fold down the index and middle fingers of your right hand, bringing it into Vishnu Mudra (see page 104). Lift this hand and position the palm in front of your face. Use the little and ring fingers of your right hand to close your left nostril.
3 Silently, inhale deeply through your right nostril. Pinch both nostrils shut by closing your right nostril with your right thumb. Hold your breath for as long as feels comfortable.
4 When ready to exhale, release your little and ring fingers to open the left nostril (keep the right one closed). Exhale slowly and silently through the left nostril. This is one round of Surya Bheda. Work up to 5–10 rounds daily.
5 When you have finished, release the mudra and gently shake out your hands from the wrists. Take 2–3 deep breaths before standing up.
CAUTION: AVOID IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, FEVER, SKIN RASH, ANOREXIA, ADHD, INSOMNIA, RESTLESSNESS OR NERVOUS AGITATION, ALSO DURING MENOPAUSE, MENSTRUATION AND ON HOT DAYS.
Giver of Good Health
In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, proper nourishment and balanced digestive fire are considered the foundation of good health. This nourishing mudra helps to maintain the equilibrium of the fire element in your solar plexus region for better absorption of nutrients from food, prana from the air you breathe and new ideas from around you: Pushan is the Sanskrit name of the sun as nourisher of the earth.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Each hand does something different:
Right hand – join the thumb tip to the tips of the index and middle fingers.
Left hand – join the thumb tip to the tips of the ring and middle fingers.
Maintaining these hand positions, rest the backs of your hands on their respective knees, palms up. Take a few slow deep breaths, as you sit quietly with your awareness on your solar plexus region for up to 20–30 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS
Your right hand stimulates the air and ether elements (represented by the index and middle fingers) with the fire energy in its thumb. Your left hand enhances the ether and earth elements (represented by the middle and ring fingers), again firing them up with the thumb. Working together, the increased air, ether and earth elements in both hands stimulate energy, immunity, stamina and endurance.
ACCOMPANYING CHANT: TO CONNECT WITH THE NOURISHING ENERGY OF THE SUN, SIT QUIETLY HOLDING PUSHAN MUDRA AND REPEAT THE MANTRA ‘OM PUSHNE NAMAH’ OR ‘THE SUN AS THE NOURISHER, WHO CAUSES ALL TO THRIVE.’
Victory over Excessive Desires Gesture
Kamajayi Mudra works to instil moderation and can be a great practice if you have difficulty refraining from self-indulgences such as over-eating and drinking. Also practise this mudra if you would like to stop smoking. It helps to direct your energy into healthier channels while stimulating the absorption of nutrients.
This simple yet powerful mudra can also help you to transform your physical energy (known as ojas in Ayurveda) into creative and spiritual brilliance (tejas). And by balancing the energy of your solar plexus chakra, it aids your attempts to set clear personal boundaries and equips you to get in touch with the power within.
HOW TO PRACTISE
You can practise this mudra in any position with either or both hands. Press down on the root of your thumb nail with the tip of the index finger of the same hand. Allow the other fingers to remain relaxed and slightly curled. Hold for 10 minutes at a time, several times a day.
HOW IT WORKS
By pushing on the thumb nail, you reduce any excesses of the fire element – such as too much heat in the body, which can cause anger and rage – and instead focus your energy in healthier and more creative directions.
ACCOMPANYING VISUALIZATION: WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE FACED WITH A TEMPTATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO OVERCOME, BRING YOUR HANDS NTO KAMAJAYI MUDRA AND VISUALIZE YOURSELF IN THE DIFFICULT SITUATION, OVERCOMING IT.
Jewelled Horse Gesture
In Indian mythology, one of the nava-ratnas (nine jewels) is a seven-headed, flying, white horse that transports angelic beings. In Tibetan tradition, this wind horse carries a wish-fulfilling jewel and brings peace, wealth and harmony, while reducing suffering and unhappiness. In the shamanic tradition of eastern and central Asia, the wind horse is a symbol of the human soul. This transformational gesture, found in Indian dance, meditation and Buddhist rituals, helps to cut through narrow-mindedness and strengthens your resolve to overcome negative patterns of behaviour that may be holding you back. After practising this mudra regularly, notice whether new possibilities and perspectives present themselves to you.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Keep your fingers straight and press palms and fingers flat against each other. Fold down and interlock your index and middle fingers; extend your thumbs, ring and little fingers, pressing them against the respective finger of the other hand. Rest your hands in your lap or in front of your solar plexus, the site of your manipura chakra. Hold for 5–10 minutes daily.
HOW IT WORKS
By balancing the earth (ring fingers), water (little fingers) and fire elements (thumbs), this mudra aligns your three lowest chakras (see page 17). This enhances your digestion and circulation while sharpening and stimulating your powers of observation.
ACCOMPANYING VISUALIZATION: WHEN FACED WITH A DIFFICULT TASK, SIT QUIETLY WITH YOUR HANDS IN ASHVA-RATNA MUDRA AND VISUALIZE YOURSELF SUCCEEDING.
Downward-facing Gesture
Stimulating digestive fire, reducing mental inertia and helping to eliminate toxins from the body, Adho-mukha is a powerful mudra from the Ayurvedic tradition. It is also used to prepare the mind for meditation. This mudra is part of a group of 24 gestures known as the ‘Gayatri Mudras’, often used when chanting the well-known Gayatri mantra (see below). Gayatri represents the light of the sun and the inner fire that gives your mind its powers of deliberation and inspiration. Adho-mukha Mudra activates the flame of wisdom within and enables you to better access your inner resources.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting or kneeling position (see pages 20–21). With both palms facing downward, bend your fingers and bring the backs of your fingers together as you extend and join the tips of your thumbs. Hold for 3–5 minutes daily or whenever you feel the need for inspiration.
HOW IT WORKS
The joined thumbs accentuate all the manifestations of the fire element within your body and mind, and accelerate their effects, improving eyesight and digestion, among other things (see pages 34–35). At the same time, the pressure applied to the backs of the fingers serves to decrease the effects of the air and space elements.
ACCOMPANYING CHANT: PLACE YOUR HANDS IN ADHO-MUKHA MUDRA IN FRONT OF YOUR BREASTBONE. SLOWLY CHANT THE GAYATRI MANTRA MENTALLY TO YOURSELF. INHALE SAYING, ‘OM BHUUR BHU-VAH SWA-HA’; EXHALE ‘TAT SA-VI-TUR VA-REN-YAM’; INHALE ‘BHAR-GO DEV-AS-YA DHII-MA-HE’; AND EXHALE ‘DHI-YO YO NAH PRACH-CHO-DA-YAAT’.
Conch Shell Gesture
In both yoga and Ayurveda the inner spirals of the conch shell symbolize the coils of the human digestive tract. The Sanskrit word shankha means ‘conch’. Shankha Mudra decreases excess digestive fire and alleviates problems caused by too much ‘heat’ in the body generally, from stomach ulcers to feverishness and skin rashes. On an emotional level, this mudra reduces heated tossing of the mind and cools anger.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21) with your hands in front of your solar plexus. Wrap all four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. Keep the fingers of your left hand together and pointing upward. Rotate your right hand until the thumb points upward and join the tips of your right thumb and left middle finger. Bring your hands, now in the form of a conch shell, in front of your breastbone, and hold for 5–10 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS
Encircling the thumb with the other fingers subdues its fire element. At the same time, uniting the left middle finger and right thumb results in an increase of the ether element, creating more space in your life for digesting and assimilating nourishing things, including foods, ideas and energy.
ACCOMPANYING CHANT: WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO CHANT AUDIBLY OR SILENTLY, RECITING THE MANTRA ‘OM’ WHILE HOLDING SHANKHA MUDRA INCREASES ITS BENEFITS.
SAHAJA-SHANKHA MUDRA
IN A YOGA POSE
Simplified Conch Shell Gesture
This simplified version of Shankha Mudra is especially helpful with speech problems and lack of alertness, even giving your face a powerful aura that positively affects other people. The flexed position of your feet counters lack of confidence and helps you present your point of view more cogently.
The power of this mudra comes from the way in which it activates the nadi energy channels (see pages 12–13) ending in the hands, which bring prana into the middle of each palm and radiate it out to the fingers, particularly the thumbs. By joining your hands, interlocking your fingers and pressing down with your thumbs, you remove blockages to this flow of energy.
1 Kneel on the floor with knees and feet together. Lift your buttocks slightly, tuck your toes under and sit back on your heels. If this feels too painful, keep the tops of your feet on the ground. In both positions make sure your back and head are aligned and straight.
2 Holding your hands in front of your solar plexus, interlock all eight fingers excluding your thumbs. Press your palms together. Bring your thumbs parallel to each other, pointing away from your body; and use the thumbs to gently apply pressure to the outer index finger.
3 Holding the position, rest your hands on your thighs. As the pose becomes more comfortable, hold for 5–10 minutes.
4 When you have finished, release the mudra and gently shake out your hands from the wrists. Take 2–3 deep breaths before standing up.
Excess Heat-reducing Gesture
The Ayurvedic energy known as pitta (see pages 18–19) governs all the processes of digestion, assimilation and transformation within your body and mind. When pitta is in balance, you digest food properly and are nourished by it; you are also endowed with qualities that demonstrate emotional balance, including intelligence, courage, vitality, decisiveness and self-motivation.
Too much pitta, however, can cause ‘burning’ problems, such as stomach ulcers, skin rashes, fever, a short temper and anxiety. This mudra is used in kinesiology to help to eliminate such excessive heat, physically and emotionally. It is especially effective as a relief for skin rashes and summer allergies such as prickly heat and hay fever.
HOW TO PRACTISE
You can practise this mudra in any position: sitting, standing or even while walking. Bring the tip of each thumb to the web between the ring and little fingers of the same hand. Hold for 5 minutes five times daily, pausing for at least 3 minutes between practice sessions.
HOW IT WORKS
The fire element represented by the thumb is pacified by the earth and water elements of the ring and little fingers respectively as it ‘bows’ to these elements.
ACCOMPANYING DIETARY ADVICE: AT TIMES WHEN YOU FEEL THE NEED TO BOOST THE HEAT-REDUCING BENEFITS OF THIS MUDRA, TRY TO AVOID COFFEE, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. INSTEAD, HAVE THE OCCASIONAL CUP OF BLACK TEA WITH MILK AND ADD A PINCH OF GROUND CARDAMOM.
Blues-banishing Gesture
In kinesiology, this pitta-energizing mudra is used to help people to perceive the world in a more positive light. It is especially effective when something limits your ability to function effectively day to day, whether this is losing someone or something you love or missing an opportunity. When you feel sad or let down, rebalancing your pitta energy helps to rekindle your inner flame.
Practise this mudra when sadness leaves you unmotivated or impacts negatively on your self-esteem. It can be profoundly beneficial for bouts of temporary depression, but if symptoms persist seek the help of a health professional.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Each hand does something different:
Right hand: place your thumb on the side of your ring finger nail and place your index finger on the first joint of your thumb.
Left hand: join the tips of your thumb and little finger.
Hold for 3 minutes twice daily, waiting at least 25 minutes between sessions.
HOW IT WORKS
Your right hand balances earth energy while your left hand reduces the water element. The earth and water elements keep you immobile and dampen your spirits. Reducing them allows the drive and inspiration of your fire element to return.
ACCOMPANYING VISUALIZATION: WHILE HOLDING THE MUDRA, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND PICTURE LIGHT RADIATING FROM WITHIN AND ALL AROUND YOU, FROM THE BASE OF YOUR BODY TO THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD. SEE YOURSELF SITTING IN A RADIANT CIRCLE WITH LIGHT ENERGIZING YOUR ENTIRE BEING AND FILLING YOU WITH POSITIVITY.
Meditation Gesture
When someone is depicted using this gesture in Eastern or Western art, it is usually an indication that they are experiencing deep meditation. Dhyana Mudra is used in a variety of Eastern meditative traditions for tuning into inner silence, accessing limitless potential and finding inner strength. Dhyana Mudra is a signal to the mind that now is the time to enter a meditative state. It helps you to create a calm and nurturing centre within yourself, even in stressful or chaotic situations – try it at your next meeting or job interview. The gesture also facilitates diaphragmatic breathing and promotes the efficient assimilation of all that nourishes you: silence, food, ideas and energies. After regular practice, notice whether your mental powers and concentration increase and your mind wanders less frequently.
HOW TO PRACTISE
Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21). Place both hands in your lap with your right hand on top and your palms facing upward. Bring the tips of your thumbs together so they gently touch each other. With practice, hold this gesture for at least 20–30 minutes daily.
HOW IT WORKS
By joining both thumbs, you create an unbroken flow of fire energy and inspiration. Bringing your hands together in your lap encourages better communication between the two hemispheres of your brain, leading to a more holistic approach to life.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: ‘USING DHYANA MUDRA WITH THUMBS TOUCHING HELPED ME BECAUSE I FELT THE ENERGY IN AND AROUND THE BODY WAS CONTAINED; THIS AIDED MY INWARD FOCUS.’
Meditation to Transform Anger
Holding your hands in Dhyana Mudra as you practise this meditation helps to release anger in a healthy way. Anger indicates an imbalance of the fire element.
1 Come into a sitting position (see pages 20–21) or a favourite meditation position if you have one. Do not lie down; you may fall asleep. Bring your hands together in your lap in Dhyana Mudra. If you find it more comfortable, rest your hands on a small cushion in your lap. Make sure your shoulders are back and relaxed.
2 Close your eyes, seal your lips and breathe gently through both nostrils.
3 Begin by remembering an incident in which you became angry or irritated. Perhaps you were late for an appointment and spotted a parking place only to see someone else grab it. Picture the incident very clearly; go over it in detail. Be particularly aware of how angry you felt. Allow yourself to relive the incident once or twice until you have created a firm mental picture.
4 Keeping your hands in the mudra, change the image. See yourself in the same situation, but remaining calm and breathing deeply. Consciously let go of your anger. Hold onto the positive image, bringing it to mind several times.
5 When you have finished, open your eyes, release the mudra and gently shake out your hands from the wrists. Take 2–3 deep breaths before standing up.
6 Repeat regularly, until you notice your behaviour beginning to change in a positive way.
