Did you ever hear that expression: “The eyes are the windows to the soul”?  Well, I like to think of the hands as the messengers of the heart. 

What we do with our arms and hands can communicate so clearly what we feel in our heart. Think about a time you had to hug someone, but you were really upset or angry with them versus a time you’ve hugged someone when you were feeling more loving feelings toward them….very different hugs, I'd bet!

When I talk, I use my hands a lot. They not only help me to more fully communicate what my words are trying to say, but they also help me express my feelings about something.  My gestures help me organize my thoughts, my words, my feelings – they’re my road map, if you will. 

Mudras are like that.  They are an outward, physical expression of an inner state – be it in our hearts, our minds, or simply our energy. Not only do they help express a current state of consciousness, but they can also lead us to a certain state of consciousness.  

Mudras are, most commonly, a position we place our hands in as a way to seal in or direct the energy in our bodies.  There are many different mudras that we use in yoga– some are used to elicit a more quiet, introspective state; others are used for healing purposes.

We’ll be exploring several different mudras in our online Gentle Flow Yoga classes (Wednesdays at 5:45pm) throughout the month of May.  Come and experience first –hand the beauty and power of mudra and discover another layer of your practice. 

In the meantime, here’s a practice you can explore right now: 

• Bring the palms of your hands together in Anjali mudra (prayer mudra) in front of your heart.
• Feel the even joining of your right and left hands.
• Feel them aligning at the center of your chest – your heart – your home.
• Close your eyes and enjoy three conscious breaths and notice how you feel.

Check out my schedule of classes and videos for more movement practices!