Lately, I've been captivated by mudras, the deliberate and meaningful gestures or seals that guide the flow of universal energy. My fascination with mudras began years ago at a workshop with a Tibetan Buddhist during the Los Angeles Yoga Expo in 2003. Recently, while exploring the Byzantine era artwork in Greece, I noticed images of religious figures practicing hand mudras. After a little research, I discovered that over thousands of years, mudras appear across multiple cultures, regions, and religious beliefs, reminding me of the interconnectivity of all beings and yoga's power of union.
The prevalence of mudra imagery in my life has been uncanny. I come across them almost daily now, appearing in my social feed, artwork at friends' homes, and even embedded into the jewelry I admire in store windows. Taking this as a sign to bring more mudra mindfulness into my yoga and daily life, I've delved into my consciousness to dust off my mudra knowledge to share with you today!
In this blog, we'll explore a common mudra many of us already practice: Anjali Mudra, also known as Namaskar, or the hands in prayer position. Gaining a deeper understanding of Anjali Mudra will help us channel its benefits, incorporate the blossoming power of early summer and the Fire element, and integrate these complimentary energies into our yoga practice and lifestyle.
How to do Anjali Mudra:
Bring both hands together in a prayer position in front of the heart chakra, pressing the fingers and palms firmly.
Raise the elbows to be parallel to the floor.
As you move your hands into this mudra, energy flow is directed to the heart chakra.
Direct your awareness to the flow as you bring your hands into position and press them firmly together.
Eyes can be open or closed.
Take a few breaths and release your hands down.
You may repeat the mudra, sit quietly in meditation, or move in your next asana.
Anjali Mudra can be seamlessly integrated into any yoga practice or meditation as a beginning salutation or closing seal. Anjali Mudra can also be practiced seated or standing, on its own, or in combination with asana, for example at the top of yoga class while setting an intention, or at the start or close of a sun salutation sequence.
Benefits of Anjali Mudra:
Anjali Mudra directs energy flow into the heart chakra, promoting emotional regulation and fostering peace, gratitude, and harmony. By creating an inward state of self-reflection, all mudras have the power to merge our individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. When practiced with intent, this particular seal reunites us with our innate qualities of allowance, acceptance, and love.
Following the seasonal energies of Taoist 5 Element wisdom, we are now entering early summer, governed by the Fire element. An embodiment of love, joy, and passion, all housed within the heart, the Fire element energizes the heart physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Practicing Anjali Mudra to nurture the heart chakra will strengthen our own innate joy, gratitude, and love, infusing more peace, harmony, and creativity into our lives this season.
Commonly practiced during yoga and meditation, appearing in artwork, and depicted through religious icons, Anjali Mudra holds serves as a reminder of the interconnectivity of all beings. It encompasses a spiritual resonance that has been vibrating for thousands of years through countless individuals and cultures. Allow it to continue serving us today as a channel for universal love, gratitude, and acceptance that starts from within, through cultivated self-love, and then expands outwardly, encompassing all beings.
In Conclusion - A Yoga Challenge!
As we explore the transformative power of this commonly practiced seal and its special connection to the heart chakra, we deepen our personal experience of the interplay between mudras, the elements, and our yoga practice. With mindful practice, Anjali Mudra can help us cultivate the energy of the Fire element in early summer, igniting our hearts with love, joy, and creativity.
Like yoga, the power of mudra must be experienced. Using the insights from today's blog, I challenge all of us during this Fire element season to bring more mindfulness to the heart chakra and the flow of universal love through Anjali Mudra. I'm excited to hear your experience with this applied knowledge.
May the practice of Anjali Mudra be a constant reminder of our innate capacity for compassion and acceptance, allowing us to radiate love and peace in all aspects of our lives.
Namaste,
Lara
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