DAY 6 OF 28 DAY YOGA CHALLENGE

Pran Mudra for Increasing Energy

The pran hasta mudra stimulates the root chakra, at the base of the spine, creating a heat that awakens and energizes the body.

Meaning/Benefit:
Pran or prana means “energy” or “life”. This beautiful gesture brings vitality and energy to the body. In addition to reducing fatigue, this mudra reduces nervousness and improves vision. It is used to improve eye problems and diseases. It also provides mental clarity.

How to form the mudra:
The thumb, ring and pinky fingers touch at the tips. The index and middle fingers are extended. This gesture can be done with both hands. It can be practiced for three to thirty minutes once a day.

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 pran mudra above during your daily meditation 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.

For the sake of illustration, the photo above shows forming the mudra with one hand. However, you can use both hands.

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.

Mudras can be held for various lengths of time. You may find that today’s mudra may only need to be held for 30 seconds until you feel refreshed or try holding the mudra throughout your meditation. There are no set rules. Let your intuition guide you. Have fun and explore!