Learn everything you need to know about the ancient mudra called Shakti Mudra. This simple yet powerful practice will help you unlock your inner potential and awaken the Goddess.
What is Shakti Mudra? Its Meaning, References, and Mythology
The Sanskrit language is where the term Shakti Mudra comes from.
Shakti is power or strength.
Mudra is a gesture or seal.
Shakti, another name for Hindu Goddess Durga, is the Goddess of power or strength.
Shakti Mudra, a ritual hand gesture that calms the body and mind, is called a Shakti Mudra.
This Mudra in Ayurveda is used to calm the mind and to promote mental and physical health. This Mudra is feminine or sensual because it has a positive effect on the pelvic region.
This Mudra calms the nervous system and relaxes brain muscles. This Mudra is great for stress, anxiety, tension, and sleeping disorders.
This Mudra helps to increase our inner strength and mental power, which makes us more stable both mentally and physically.
How to Do Shakti Mudra?
- To perform this, start by sitting in any comfortable meditative posture (Sukhasana or Padmasana). Whichever posture you find comfortable while sitting is fine. Just make sure you are keeping your spinal health in mind.
- Keep your neck and spine comfortably erect.
- Rest both of your palms comfortably on your knee.
- Gently close your eyes.
- Observe this dark space behind your eyes.
- Breathe deeper and longer. With every passing breath, make your breathing even deeper.
- Rest your left hand on your lap, while your left palm should face upward towards the sky.
- Slowly bring your arms up in Anjali or Namaste Mudra.
- Tuck your thumb in the middle, and bend your index and middle fingers to wrap the thumb lightly.
- Next, connect the distal fingers of your ring finger and little fingers with the fingers from the other hand.
- Next, touch the index finger and middle fingers of both hands with your fingertips.
- Witness your entire mind and body.
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Benefits of Shakti Mudra
- The brain’s instability is the main cause of sleep disorders and sleeplessness. Our brain becomes unstable due to stress, tension, and pressure. Shakti Mudra calms the mind.
- This Mudra also soothes our nervous system, which is directly linked to our minds.
- By practicing Shakti Mudra regularly, our sleeping patterns improve gradually, and we can cure disorders like insomnia.
- Shakti Mudra gives inner strength and stability to our body. This Mudra calming effect increases internal energy.
- This Mudra improves the immune system and makes our bodies more healthy and fit. This Mudra also helps to heal any weakness in the body.
- Shakti Mudra is designed so that prana flows directly to the pelvic region. This Mudra calms and soothes the Pelvis and all surrounding glands. This Mudra reduces tension in this area, the prostate gland in men, and mensurational discomforts in women.
- These are just a few of the many benefits that Shakti Mudra offers. It also treats spasms in the intestine, often associated with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Precautions and Contraindications in Shakti Mudra
- Do not put pressure on your fingers. Just gently press on them. You won’t be capable of sitting in this position for long.
- When and how long to do it
- This Mudra can be done at any time. It can be done anywhere and anytime. You can do it right before you go to bed for better sleep.
- This Mudra should be performed for no more than 10-12 minutes. For best results, you can do 2-3 stretches per day.
When and How long to do Shakti Mudra?
- This Mudra can be practiced when you feel your internal environment is quite disturbed and you need to relax your internal self.
- Our work can have a huge impact on our day-to-day lives. Our mind is often stressed and anxious by our busy work schedule. This can lead to anxiety and sleeplessness. This Mudra practice helps to relieve that.
Morning is the ideal time to do any yoga or Mudra. In the morning, at this time during the daytime, our brain is at its best. So, you are more likely to be able to concentrate easily. Therefore, you should practice this Mudra from 4 am and 6 am to get the most effective outcomes.
If you are having difficulty with this during the morning hours, then you can do this Mudra later in the evening too.
It is recommended to practice this Mudra for a minimum of 30-40 minutes daily. It’s up to you whether you wish to complete it in one stretch or in two threes that last between 10 and 15 minutes. Based on research, the best way to practice an exercise for at least 20 minutes is to get the best benefits of that particular Mudra.
Breathing in Shakti Mudra
You can start with
- Thoracic Breathing: With inhalation, let your thoracic or chest region come out, and with exhalation, relax your chest comfortably in.
Visualization in Shakti Mudra
Combinations of colors in green, soft, and flowing forms have a calming effect. Imagine green images (e.g., landscapes, leaves, silk scarves, etc.). As you exhale, let it slow down and become more complete.
Affirmation in Shakti Mudra
My whole being is filled with silence, harmony, peace
Conclusion
Shakti Mudra is a powerful hand gesture that can be used for many purposes. If you want to learn more about this mudra and its benefits, we highly recommend signing up for our Mudra Certification Course. In this course, you will learn 108 different mudras and their meanings. You will also learn how to use these mudras in your practice and daily life. Ready to sign up?
