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!