What are Yoga Mudras?

If you have been in a class with me you will have practiced a Mudra - they are hand gestures that are said to draw energy - "Prana" - that leaves the digits/palms back into the body by making a circuit. They are also said to stimulate pressure points in the hands to help create energy flow, or bring about relaxation. They can also help with your focus in your practice, both asana and meditation.

"Mudras are seals or locks, They generally have a purpose of focussing the mind. In Hatha Yoga mudras are said to awaken Kundalini (energy contained within) and destroy old age and death." Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Whilst the destroying "old age and death" by mudra might be a touch ambitious, mudras can really benefit your practice.

Here is one of my favourites.
 

For Kali Mudra we interlink the fingers, except the index fingers which point forwards, and the left thumb crosses right.

Kali is the goddess of destruction of evil forces. She is a pretty fierce character with sharp teeth and, amongst other gruesome things, a necklace made of severed heads so she is not for the faint hearted!

Kali doesn't tolerate any nonsense and she comes into a situation, sorts out the problems and gets the job done pronto. She is able to destroy evil  - we could think of this as destroying negativity - overcome challenge and bring about change, something that we all need from time to time right?!

The name Kali comes from the Sanskrit word kala meaning ‘time' and just as time always keeps moving, Kali is representative of the change and also the impermanence of life. She destroys the old to make space for the new. I think her catchphrase, if she had one, would be "Bring it on"!

We can weave this mudra into our asana practice - for example Tree Pose with arms overhead plus Kali Mudra, is a really nice variation. You could also use it in meditation - take this Kali mudra and visualise yourself overcoming a challenge that you are facing, or making a change that you need to make in your life. It's energy is one of "feel the fear and do it anyway". 

​And if any negativity or challenges come your way in the coming weeks...channel Kali!