As well as being spiritual gestures employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions, mudras have meaning in many forms of Indian dance, and yoga. The range of mudras used in each field (and religion) differs, but with some overlap.
In yoga, there are five types of mudras, each categorized by the body parts involved in creating the gesture. The most commonly practiced ones are hand mudras, known as “hasta mudra.”
11 Powerful mudras and their meanings: A mudra is a hand position that balances energy in the mind and body. The Sanskrit word “mudra” is translated as a mark, seal, or gesture. Mudras were created by ancient yogis to restore physical health, calm the mind, and optimize energy.
Are you interested in trying out the ancient healing practice of mudras during your next yoga sessions? You’ve come to the right place! Mudras are hand gestures or postures thought to have a healing effect on the body in ancient holistic medicine practices, and they’re still used today. [1]
11 Simple Mudras for Healing & How to Use Them - wikiHow
The word “mudra” means “seal” or “gesture” in Sanskrit. These hand movements are used during meditation, breathing practices (pranayama), or even while sitting still to create a deep sense of balance and calm.
In the realm of yoga and spiritual practices, a mudra is a symbolic hand gesture that is integrated into various asanas, meditation, and pranayama. These gestures are designed to facilitate the flow of energy in the body and to enhance one's focus and connection to the spiritual aspect of yoga.