Shiva Linga Mudra: Meaning, Benefits, and How to Do

Shiva Linga Mudra is a hand gesture used in Hinduism. Learn about the history of this Mudra. Find out how you can use it for relaxation and discover its ability to increase your energy levels and help you deal with stress.

Definition – What is Shiva Linga Mudra and its Meaning, References, and Mythology?

Shiva Linga Mudra is one of the sacred hand gestures/seals. It is one of the asymmetrical Mudras or Asamyukta Mudra, meaning we keep both hands in different positions in this Mudra. Shiva is a primary Hindu deity. He is the one who is responsible for destroying evil. Shiva linga/lingam is a sacred structure worshipped in various Hindu temples. This Mudra represents God and Goddess both. Lord Shiva represents masculine power, and Goddess Shakti/Parvati represents feminine power.

Shiva Linga Mudra focuses on removing the negativity from life and adding positive things, making ourselves more grounded and relaxed. It emphasizes the Muladhara Chakra, located at the base of the body; this Chakra is also known as the Root Chakra. This Mudra helps to overcome stress, anxiety, and depression. It increases the energy in and around the body, which helps to fight against things that stress you.

This Mudra brings a sense of equality. Many of us believe that we are superior or inferior to someone. This thought can induce jealousy, a sense of non-satisfaction, and negative thoughts, which should be avoided at all times. Other than this, some people also believe that males are superior. Some think females are superior. But the key lies in the balance. This Mudra represents male power as well as female power. Both form this universe. Other than that, it would not have been made. So, practicing this Mudra brings a balanced approach to our life.

Alternate Name of Shiva Linga Mudra

Upright Mudra.

How to Do Shiva Linga Mudra?

• This Mudra requires you to perform while seated in any meditative posture.
• Make sure that you are comfortable with the posture. You can practice it while sitting in comfortable meditative postures (such as Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Swastikasana). You can even start with micro exercises for the neck, arms, and legs before you start with this Mudra practice. This helps you to avoid any aches and pains that can be caused due to prolonged sitting.
• Keep your neck and spine comfortably straight.
• Rest both of your palms comfortably on your knee. Palms facing upward towards the sky.
• Start to close your eyes completely.
• Slowly bring both of your hands to the midline of your body. Now, slowly curl your right-hand fingers until they touch their base and form a fist. Then, keep your thumb extended to point upward toward the sky.
• Now, gently place your left hand so it should serve as a base for the right hand. While all of its fingers and thumb should remain joined and should be parallel to the floor.
• Witness your Muladhara Chakra or the Root Chakra. Keep maximum awareness towards it.
• If you want to progress into the Mooladhara Chakra activation, you can even chant its Beeja Mantra, “Lam.”
• Inhale slowly and exhale gently. Feel the grounding.
• You can practice it with different Mantra chanting, meditation techniques, and Pranayamas such as Bhastrika Pranayama and Kapalbhati Pranayama.

Shiva Linga Mudra Benefits

• It activates the Muladhara Chakra or the Root chakra, which helps to activate more energy centers of your body as it is the first Chakra out of all the 7 Chakras. So, it helps in establishing a better connection with all other Chakras.
• It makes you feel more grounded. It helps alleviate your mental burdens, especially the negative energies around you.
• You feel stable and calmer, and more relaxed.
• It helps to overcome stress, depression, and anxiety. So, those suffering from such conditions should try this Mudra to overcome such issues and live happily.
• It helps you to prevent all the imbalances caused by tightness around Muladhara Chakra.
• It makes you more spiritual, balanced, and calm.
• It increases potency and health.
• It helps to lose weight and strengthens the immune system.

Shiva Linga Mudra Precautions and Contraindications

Similar to many other Mudra practices, it has no side effects.

However, there are a few things to consider:

• Practice it while sitting on a blanket or yoga mat, preventing Earth’s radiation.
• Keep your wrists and elbows comfortable.
• Keep your spine comfortably erect.

When and how long to do Shiva Linga Mudra?

• This Mudra can be practiced when you feel stress and anxiety.
• If you have too much tightness around the Mooladhara Chakra.
• It brings a sense of equality, so you can practice it to enhance your understanding of balance.

Morning is the ideal time to do any yoga or Mudra. Our brain is at its best in the morning and during the daytime. 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, you can do this Mudra later in the evening too.

Practicing this Mudra for a minimum of 30-40 minutes daily is recommended. Whether you wish to complete it in one stretch or two threes that last between 10 and 15 minutes, it’s up to you. 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 Shiva Linga Mudra

There are different types of breathing we can practice with this Mudra. However, the breathing that suits this Mudra more is:

• Ujjayi Breathing can be practiced by contracting the neck muscles and breathing from there with a little sound created by the contraction of the neck muscles.

Visualization in Shiva Linga Mudra

• Imagine a fire that ignites all the bacteria inside you.
• All the bacteria are getting wiped off your body.
• And they will not dare to enter again.

Affirmation of Shiva Linga Mudra

While practicing this, Keep a positive intention. Start with:

“I understand that the key lies in the balance.”

Conclusion

The Shiva Linga Mudra is an incredibly powerful gesture that can be used for various reasons. Whether you want to increase your spiritual practice or improve your health, If you’re interested in learning even more Mudras, check out our Mudra Certification Course. In this course, you’ll learn all 108 Mudras, their benefits, and how to use them effectively.