5 Types of Yoga Mudras

There are almost 399 mudras estimated among different religion.

Some mudra may envolve asana, pranayama, visualization techniques, body locks or simply hand. While in some mudras, Prana is stimulated to redirects subtle energy to upper chakras, or sometimes it calms down to concentrate in a meditative posture.

In a nutshell, all the yoga mudras can be categorized into the following 5 types.

1. Kaya (Postural) Mudra
2. Mana (Head) Mudra
3. Hast (Hand) Mudra
4. Bandha (Lock) Mudra
5. Adhara (Perineal) Mudra

1. Kaya (postural) Mudra

Kaya mudras are similar to asana practice when performed in conjunction with simple mudras. It requires intense concentration to hold the body in a particular asana (or pranayama) & mudra.

Example – Manduki Mudra, Pashinee Mudra

2. Mana (Head) Mudra

Head mudras comprise the practice to focus the mind in meditation (mainly in kundalini yoga). These mudras require the involvement of sense organs (eyes, nose, tongue, lips & ears). Head mudras are so powerful that it can snap out us from instinctive habits (which become an obstacle in meditation) even in short periods.

Example – Shambhavi mudra, Khechari mudra, Kaki mudra, Bhoochari mudra

3. Hast (Hand) Mudra

These are the most common mudras performed using different positioning of thumb, fingers & hand. It works on the characteristics of 5 universal elements.

Example – Gyan Mudra, Prana Mudra, Surya Mudra

4. Bandha (Lock) Mudra

These mudras utilize the engagement of subtle skeletal muscles (vocal, respiratory & pelvis) to hold the Prana. This Prana holding awakens the kundalini energy in the body.

Example – Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Mula Bandha, Maha Mudra

5. Adhara (Perineal) mudra

Adhara or Perineal mudra contains involvement of pelvic floor area to stimulate the sacral chakra, which in turn harness sexual energy in the body.

Practicing Adhara Mudra helps energy to redirects into the solar channel (Pingala Nadi) of the body.

Example – Vajroli Mudra, Ashwini Mudra, Maha Bheda Mudra