A mudra is a hand position (though mudras can sometimes involves other parts of the body) that seals energy flow and reflexes to the brain. Certain positions direct energy through specific nadis (energy channels) to affect changes in the body and mind.
When practicing a mudra, the amount of pressure is important enough pressure must be exerted to feel the flow of energy through the nadis but not enough to whiten fingertips.
Guyan mudra (also referred to as jnana mudra) is Zama Yoga’s pose of the month for January 2014 and is known as the knowledge mudra.
Guyan mudra involves the joining the tips of the index finger and thumb in a circular position and allowing the other fingers to be free, stimulating knowledge and ability and imparting a sense of calm, clarity and concentration. The index finger represents Jupiter (knowledge and expansion) and the thumb represents the ego. This allows the acceptance of greater knowledge than that of the ego.
Guyan mudra has a number of benefits, including:
- relieving stress & depression
- sharpening memory and concentration
- relieving insomnia
- imparting a state of mental peace
- releasing anger
- relieving migraines
Guyan mudra is used during pranayama and meditation, and can also be used during asanas, such as:
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Vrkasana (Tree Pose)
- Natarajasana (Lord of the Dancers’ Pose)
- Paschimottanasana (Seated Fold Bend – as pictured)
Where the index finger is tucked underneath thumb (so that the pad of the thumb is now on top of the finger nail of the index finger), this becomes active guyan mudra, and changes the effect of the mudra by bringing it into an active state.
We look forward to practicing guyan mudra with you in class during January.