This photo is the Shankh Mudra, one of the many hand postures that heal the body.

Meaning/Benefit:

This wonderful hasta (hand) mudra is for chakra five, the area of the throat. This gorgeous mudra takes the shape of a conch shell. It activates and relieves problems connected to the throat area, such as colds and excessive talking. It helps us speak our truth. It also has a calming effect and is used in prayer or meditation to show reverence and connection to the Universe or the Divine.

How to form the mudra:

The center of the right palm encircles the left thumb. The left fingers wrap around the right fist, with the tip of the left index and middle fingers touching the right thumb.

For your meditation today

Use this hasta mudra to reflect on one or more of the following:

• In what areas of my life am I not communicating how I really feel? With whom?
• How can I speak my truth freely without harming another?
• Do I often cut off others in their speech? Am I often excessive in the length of time I talk? Do I use too many words to express myself?
• How can I balance active listening with sharing my feelings, stories and thoughts?

(This is taken from my book, Hasta Mudras for Health & Healing. To purchase my book or for more information on hasta mudras, go here.)

About Hasta Mudras

A hasta mudra is a gesture or positioning of the hands to channel and direct energy in the body. Mudras come from the over three thousand-year old tradition of yoga originating in India. Hasta means “hand” in Sanskrit and “mudra” comes from the Sanskrit word “mud”, meaning to delight. A mudra is a seal as in sealing your connection with the Divine or sealing energy in the body. There are many forms of mudras, such as with the eyes and the tongue.

Yoga is a spiritual practice and offers practical healing applications that benefit even those who aren’t spiritually oriented. Hasta mudras work in a way that can be compared to acupuncture or reflexology. By activating parts of the hand, a hasta mudra opens up channels of energy and sends messages to the brain.

Try the mudra above today. If you are sensitive energetically, you may receive immediate results. But if the benefit doesn’t come quickly, be patient and consistent in your practice. Keep in mind though that while hasta mudras can offer great healing, no mudra is a substitute for medication or medical attention.

Since hasta mudras work to change the energy in the body and spirit, it’s best if you incorporate conscious breathing with your practice. Breathe full and free on the inhale and exhale the breath out completely. Find a rhythm with the breath. Try to make the inhale and exhale the same length.

It also helps to set a positive intention as you form a hasta mudra and concentrate on this intention during the practice.