Mudras & Mantras (PDF)

Mudras & Mantras Part II

Prashant V. Joshi (CoachP) B.E. (EE), M.A. M.Phil, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, YACEP

Manju Joshi (CoachM) MA, HHC, E-RYT 500,YACEP, C-IAYT, MCO-Osteo

Co-Founders, GurukulYoga and Food Yogini [email protected]; [email protected] www.gurukulyoga.com *** www.foodyogini.com

Billions Yet To Be Served... Billions Yet To Be Fed...

Shreem Shreem Sweet, Simple & Scientific Now & Then

Emojis: Modern Mudras

Mudras: Ancient Emojis

● Recap of Science of Mudras ● Practice: More Hand-Mudras ● Recap of Science of Mantras ● Practice: 3 Beeja-Mantras ● Summary ● Further Studies ● Q&A

Mudra (मुद्रा = मु + द्रा ) Mu + Dra (to delight + to let go)

● A Sanskrit word, meaning an energetic/authenticity seal, a gesture or a mark ● Mudras are performed in spiritual practices and in many other cultures ● Most Yogic mudras are performed with hands. Some Mudras require the use of the whole body. ( e.g. Sinha Mudra, Yoga Mudra, Maha mudra) Science of Hand Mudras

● Based on the principle of five elements represented by the five fingers ● Used in Pranaayaama and Dhyaana ● Mostly performed by touching one or more fingertips with thumb-tip or base of the thumb ● Tips of fingers have sensitive nerves, which carry signals to the brain. Touching tips of fingers with the thumb creates a closed circuit of neurons ● Help in regulating the life force and calming the mind Hand Mudras Yogic View

Each finger represents one element (FAEEW) ● Thumb: Fire ● Index: Air ● Middle: Ether ● Ring: Earth ● Little: Water

● Praana: ○ Lungs & Heart

● Udaana: ○ Throat, Upper chest, Head

● Vyaana: ○ Peripheral Nervous system, All around the body

● Samaana: ○ Navel

● Apaana: ○ Below the Navel

Praana Mudra: no known contraindications!

Vyaan Mudra: No known contraindications. Practice daily 10-20 minutes

Contraindications: - Do not practice if you have diarrhea - Avoid in menstruation & pregnancy

How: touch tip of the thumb with middle and ring finger. Practice 15-45 minutes

Benefits: ● Improves digestion & excretion ● Eliminates toxins from the body ● Helps weight-loss ● Promotes inner peace

Caution: - Please do not practice more than 10 minutes during hot weather (summer e.g.) - Do not practice if you have fever

मंत्र = मन ् + त्र (Mantra = Mana + Tra; pronounced “Muntra”) That which protects the mind/ protects from birth- death cycle ( Samsara) through repeated syllables, sounds; vibrations

Veena: Divine string instrument

Human Spine as Veena Chakras and Beej Mantras Balancing the Energy system 3 Beej Mantras

Important Mantraas for Balancing the energy system

● First/ Mulaadhaara : Lum ● Fourth / Heart/ Hrudaya : Yum ● Sixth / Aadnyaa : Oom

तय वाचकः प्रणवः --- patanjali yoga sutra 1.27

(Aum is the expression of supreme consciousness)

अ + ऊ + अं = AUM Summary

● Mudras and Mantras are simple, sweet and scientific means of communication and connection towards joy & peace ● Mudras are Non-verbal seals/gestures based on five elements ● Mantras are sacred sounds, vibrations to protect the mind ● Tools for all yogis and yoginis to enhance their practice and teachings Intent, awareness, attention…. Journey towards joy & peace

○ Kundalini Yoga kriyas

○ Energy-Medicine Practice ○ Asanas, Pranayama, Dhyana ○ Mudras, Bandhas, Mantras Thank you

Q&A

May There Be Harmony, Health & Happiness!

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Billions Yet To Be Served... Billions Yet To Be Fed... © Gurukul, LLC 2000-2021 Appendix: M&M Part-I Lotus or Padma Mudra 1

Lightly touch the sides of two hands in flower shape & hold near the heart Benefits: – This is a mudra of abundance and grace – Opens the heart to love and compassion – Releases tension by relaxing the heart & pericardium area – Opens up the body to beauty and acceptance – No side effects!

Lotus Or Padma Mudra 2 Also known as Buddha’s Dhyaana Mudra

● Popular meditative mudra: ○ Left hand below (Illusion), ○ right hand up (enlightenment) ○ two tips of thumbs touching (taming the ego) bringing inner peace ( good side effect!) Dhyaan Mudra/Gyaan Mudra Mudra of meditation/ Knowledge Ether/Space/Akasha Mudra

● अ + हम ्= अहम ्= Ahum = I Am ● स:+ अहम ्= सोऽहम ् = So Hum = I am That( Divine) ● हं+ स: = हंस: = I am That ( Divine)