5 Mudras for Manifestation

Hello January. Hello the usual stuff - resolutions, intentions and creation. Whatever works for you is great. The question is, is it working, or are you doing the same thing over an over again without much of a change? With manifestation, what is important is to recognize that you are doing it right now. Your whole life, everything that you have going on right now, you created it. Your present circumstances are a result of your past thinking. So what you are thinking now is essentially creating what is to come. If you aren't already, it is supportive to be aware of what you are thinking; to be monitoring your thoughts 24/7. To be clear and consistent is a huge part of creating and mudras can help.

Gyan Mudra

I once heard that prayer is asking for what you want and meditation is leaving space to receive those answers. In manifestation, there are several steps to attaining and creating all that you desire. The first is setting your goal, or asking for what you want. The second is taking action, and in taking action, the importance can be placed on taking the right action. It is here that we can use Gyan Mudra to determine the right actions to take.

There are many variations of this mudra, the most common is back of the hand on the knees with the index finger and thumb touching and other three fingers opening outwards. This mudra translates to "mudra of wisdom" and when used in meditation is known to connect you to your own inner guidance. It is that guidance that will support you in choosing which actions to take that will get you to your goal.

The Practice: Bring yourself to a nice comfortable seat and rest the back of your hands on your knees. Bring your index fingers and thumbs to touch and extend the last three fingers out. Start to focus on your breath. Nice long, slow, deep breaths in and out. Now bring your goal to mind and allow the thoughts to melt away. Keep focusing on your goal and notice what comes up.

Padma Mudra

Padma translates to lotus, therefore this mudra is the mudra of the lotus flower. The lotus is a powerful symbol in Indian culture and represents a few different key concepts important to self-realization. Firstly, the concept of this beautiful flower that can only grow in mud. The more mud, the deeper and stronger the roots, and the bigger the flower. It is the mud and the muck that is the foundation and cause for the growth of the flower. The second concept is related to the fact that even though the flower grows through the water, it never gets wet. Therefore, the flower is part of the environment, yet not completely affected by it.

This mudra supports us in realizing our potential and represents rebirth, spirituality and purity. Like the lotus, we can grow out of ugly conditions and emerge a beautiful spirit. This mudra calms the mind and manifests strength and resilience.

The Practice: This mudra can be completed sitting, standing and in a majority of yoga postures. Start by focusing on the breath, nice long, slow, deep breaths and bring your goal to mind. Bring the base of your palms to touch and spread your fingers wide. Touch your thumbs and pinkies leaving space between your palms and the other fingers of your hands. Tune into your strength and focus on the actions you are going to take to create your goal.

Dhyana Mudra

Formed by the words Dhi which translates to thinking and perceiving and yana which is the practice of moving, and thereby can be thought of as the action of properly thinking. Dhyana is also one of the eight limbs of yoga and is known as meditation. Dhyana mudra's effects have a calm and concentrated effect on the brain and nervous system, which improves the quality of the mind to analyze and heal.

This mudra is a symbolic gesture of the state of mind in meditation that is depicted by the shape of a triangle made using hands and fingers and it represents the three jewels of Buddhism. Buddha, dharma (good law) and sangha (community). The right hand signifies wisdom, knowledge and awareness, while the left hand represents the illusion and fantasy of this world. When the right hand is placed over the left hand, it represents the dominance of knowledge and awareness over the illusions created by the world.

The Practice: This mudra can be practiced both seated and standing. Start by focusing on breathing and bring your goal to mind. Bring your hands to rest in your lap with your right hand resting inside the left hand. Touch the tips of the thumbs together and hold for 10 minutes.

Anjali Mudra

In the West, most people experience this mudra as a posture of prayer, which carries a personal connection to each person, whether positive or negative. Anjali translates to offering and is used as a posture of composure, of returning to one's heart and initiating or completing an action. Bringing the hands together at your centre connects the left and right hemispheres of your brain.

This mudra honours our practice and allows our full selves to our journey. When we find equilibrium and decide which actions to initiate and complete, this mudra practiced repeatedly supports with our discipline and clarity in moving forward towards our goals.

The Practice: This mudra can be practiced in most postures. Breathe and bring both of your palms together at the centre of your chest as if to gather all of your resources into your heart. Repeat this action a few times connecting to the balancing action of uniting your left and right side, masculine and feminine, logic and intuition and strength and tenderness into wholeness. Settle into stillness, bring your goal to mind and focus on your breath. Notice what comes to mind.

Kali Mudra

The Abhaya mudra (a mudra that represents a diety)connects to the fierce goddess Kali that represents death, destruction, transformation and purity. If you are looking to make changes, release unnecessary baggage, overcome difficulties or even find some fierce energy in the day.

The hand positioning is very direct, with the fingers tightly linked and index fingers point directly with the left thumb crossed over the right thumb to represent feminine energy dominating over the masculine energy.

The Practice: Sit or stand and bring your arms out in front of you. Interlock all of the fingers together leaving the index fingers pointing forward and your left thumb crossed over your right. Bring the focus to your breath and bring to mind your goal. The mudra represents this one-pointed focus to strengthen your discipline.

Set aside some time for you and be clear about what it is you want to create. Consistency is key.

5 Mudras to Release Fear

How does being stuck in fear feel for you?

Maybe it feels shaky, like anxiety. Maybe it feels more sluggish, like dread. However fear manifests for you, we all experience it.

Maybe it comes up for you when you think about leaving your 9-5 to pursue your yoga business full time. Maybe it comes up for you in a relationship you have. Maybe it comes up for you when you think about doing something you really want to do— like travel or move to a new city.

Fear is part of the human experience.

The part where fear becomes damaging is when you start to allow it to control you and make decisions for you. When you’re choosing what direction you’re going to go in and what leaps you’re going to take, allowing fear to choose for you robs you of the power of your amazing, highest self.

There are many ways to shift from fear back into love, and today I’m sharing a few mudras with you to help you do just that.

1. Ganesha Mudra. Use Ganesha mudra to call on the power Ganesha to dispel your fear and achieve your true desires. This beautiful mudra also opens your heart chakra, helping you to receive abundance in the void created by your release of fear.

Bring your left hand in front of your heart with the back of your hand facing your body, thumb pointing down and fingers bent. With your right palm facing your body, hook the fingers of your right hand into your left with your elbows pointing out. Stay here, and breathe.

2. Abhaya Mudra. This powerful mudra symbolizes peace and detachment or freedom from fear. If you look at many statues of the Buddha, he is doing this mudra with his right hand— simply holding it up to his side, all fingers outstretched.

Use it to free yourself from fear and embody the peaceful non-attachment energy of the Buddha.

 

3. Uttarabodhi Mudra. Uttarabodhi mudra is the mudra of enlightenment, reminding you that you are divine and you need not fear anything.

Bring your hands to the front of your navel, the seat of your solar plexus chakra, your personal power. Join the tips of your index fingers and tips of your thumbs together (with index fingers pointing up and thumbs pointing more downward), and interlace your other fingers. 

4. Ahamkara Mudra. This mudra is all about confidence. Sometimes that's what we need when it comes to fear, isn't it? That reminder that we are strong. We are capable. We have everything we need within us. Overcome your fears and find confidence and peace with this mudra. 

Simply bend your index finger and touch your thumb to the outside of it about halfway down. Stretch your other fingers out straight as much as you can.

 

5. Hansi Mudra. Hansi mudra stimulates self-love and acceptance, and helps you access your courage to combat fear and anxiety. 

Touch the tips of your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers together, extending your pinky finger up towards the sky.

Next time you feel that familiar fear returning, allow yourself to feel it. Then use one of these mudras to help you move through it and release it, so you can return back to your highest self and your highest good. 

5 Mudras for Self-Love

February is all about love, right?

I'm all for it. But how about we focus on the love that's already within you, and how to connect with that love and give it to yourself instead of showering it on everyone else?

Mudras are powerful tools to help you shift your energy and access different elements (fire, air, space, earth, and water) within your hands. The best part is, they're generally easy and accessible to most people, wherever you are on your yoga journey.

Use the 5 mudras below as part of your meditation or yoga practice to help you access the love and compassion within you and offer it to yourself.

Image from Beautiful Mind.

1. Ahamkara Mudra. 

This mudra, which is all about self-confidence, works to activate your solar plexus chakra. Often when you struggle to love yourself, confidence can be a big part of that. Use this mudra to be more confident in who you really are.

To do Ahamkara mudra, bend your index finger slightly and bring your thumb to the your index finger between the first and second knuckles. Stretch your middle, ring, and pinky fingers out. Do this with both hands to make it even more powerful.

 

Image from Yoga Wiz.

2. Cin mudra. 

This mudra is one of the most common mudras used in yoga classes all over the world, and with good reason. It's beautiful mudra that brings the elements of fire and air together to represent the union of your individual self with the Universe.

How can you not love yourself when you remember that you are one with all that is? You are one with the cosmos. Your mind, body, and soul are not separate from the Universe-- they are the Universe.

Come into a comfortable seat. Bring the tip of your index finger and tip of your thumb to touch and rest your hands, facing up, on your knees or thighs.

3. Karana Mudra. 

This mudra helps you release some of the negative energy that may be holding you back from loving yourself more.

Whatever energy is running through yourself and your life that is holding you back, keeping you small, and stopping you from stepping into your power, use Karana Mudra to release it.

You can do this mudra in a few different ways, But I recommend bringing the tip of your thumb to the front of your middle and ring fingers, and lengthening your index and pinky fingers up.

Image from MindBodyGreen.

4. Anahata Mudra. 

Open your heart chakra, Anahata chakra, with Anahata mudra. This is one of my favorite mudras to help unconditional love flow through you.

Fold your index finger, associated with the element of air, into your palm. Stretch out your middle, index, and ring fingers. Fold your thumb over the top of your index finger, right between your first and second knuckles.

If you only choose one mudra on this list, choose this one.

 

Image from Dribbble.

5. Padma or Lotus Mudra. Imagine a beautiful lotus flower blossoming open. This mudra reminds you that all of that wonderful opening energy is within you. Not only is it heart-opening, it also activates your crown chakra, your connection to the Universe.

Start by bringing your palms to heart center. Then, keeping your thumbs and pinky fingers touching, start to blossom your hands open. Your index, middle, and ring fingers all reach out to the sky.

Which of these is your favorite mudra and why? Comment below and share!

Meditation and Mudras for Abundance

In the modern world, many of us have a mentality of scarcity and lack.

Scarcity mindset keeps you grounded in fear— fear of there not being enough of whatever it is you desire, whether it’s money or love or travel. When you fear that there isn’t enough for everyone, you forget that the universe is an abundant place.

A scarcity mindset can be incredibly convenient. I see this all the time with my yoga business coaching clients. Your ego loves it because it keeps you small. If the world is a scarce, scary place, then you don’t really have to go for what you truly desire anyway, because you probably could never get it. You don’t have to rise to your full potential, be your highest self, and create your most amazing life.

This post is your reminder that this is not true. This is an illusion created by your ego.

Abundance is all around you, and it’s available to you at any time.

Use the simple meditation and mudras below to shift your mindset and connect with the frequency of abundance.

Using a mala with your meditation can be incredibly powerful. I love this mala from I Am Blessed Mala Beads.

Meditation for Abundance

Begin by finding a comfortable seat. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale softly out of the mouth. Continue to breathe this way as you relax and center yourself.

When you’re ready, silently say to yourself “I know the abundance of the Universe flows to and through me, and I receive freely without hesitation.”

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth 5 times.

Silently say, “I know the abundance of (whatever you want to receive— it could be one thing, or list many)” flows to and through me, and I receive freely without hesitation.”

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, inhaling abundance and exhaling fear. Visualize the bright white light of abundance coming in through your nose, down through the lungs, and all the way to your root chakra, your center of grounding, stability, and security. As you exhale, your belly expands and fills with light.

When you’re ready, silently say to yourself “The world is an abundant place, and I give and receive freely.”

Continue to visualize abundance entering your body as white light as you inhale, and your belly filling with light as you exhale.

Silently say to yourself, “I release fear and I am open to receiving the abundance of the Universe.”

Stay in this place of peace and abundance as long as you would like.

Namaste.

Mudras for Abundance

Energy leaves the body through the tips of your fingers, crown of your head, and your toes. Practicing mudras, “seals”, allows you to take that energy back into your body and channel it.

Use these mudras with the meditation above or incorporate them into your yoga or pranayama practice.

Shunya Mudra

Shunya translates as “empty.” This mudra helps you expand and open to clear blockages in your throat chakra and release the limiting beliefs of your ego.

Use this mudra to clear away blockages keeping you from the abundance that is your birthright, and open yourself to receive.

 

Photo via Jennifer Is Yoga.

 

Ushas Mudra

The Ushas mudra is all about flow.

When you’re stuck in a place of trying to force, push, and control, you aren’t allowing yourself to open, receive, and follow your intuition— all key to calling abundance into your life.

 

 

Photo via Yoga Journal.

Padma Mudra

This mudra, also known as the lotus mudra, resembles a lotus flower blossoming open. It relaxes your mind and opens your heart chakra to open you to love, compassion, and gratitude.

Above all, this mudra is a reminder of the peace, abundance, and love that resides within you already.

Kubera Mudra

The Kubera mudra is also known as the wealth mudra (now we’re getting to the good stuff, right?). Its purpose is to create a consistent flow of abundant energy and material well-being.

Kubera mudra reminds you that if you trust (and do the work), you will always be financially taken care of. You will always have enough.

Did you love the meditation above? If you want to dive deeper and develop a regular meditation practice, click here to learn more about my intro to meditation course.