Mudra Monday: Uttarabodhi Mudra

Uttarabodhi Mudra is the yogic hand gesture of enlightenment

Uttarabodhi Mudra can be utilised when we feel mentally and/or physically drained. After a long day at the office or studying for examinations - whatever has depleted your energy stores, this Mudra allows you to recharge your batteries.

Practicing Uttarabodhi is a great way to calm an excited mind, or soothe the nerves before starting a seemingly overwhelming task such as public speaking. It is believed that Uttarabodhi Mudra helps to improve self-confidence and allows us to realise our true, inner Self. It removes fear and teaches one not to worry about anything, but God.

Uttarabodhi Mudra is also said to help ignite inspiration, improve our problem-solving and decision-making abilities, as well as heightening the practitioners focus and concentration. Having a strengthening effect on the inhalation, it gives the body a sense of being refreshed, which invigorates the heart and lungs.

To practice this Mudra the hands interlock in front of the navel, leaving the index fingers and thumbs extended. The tips of the index fingers touch, pointing upward, and the tips of the thumbs touch as well, pointing downward. This Mudra should be practiced for 15 to 20 minutes, one to three times a day to get the best results, but can be performed any time and any place as needed.

Elements: All. 

If you'd like to know more about Hasta Mudras you can read my introduction to the topic here and find all previous Mudra Monday blogs here.

Illustration © estudio mosa 2018