Mudras in yoga: Unlocking the Power of Hand gestures for Everyday Life.

Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, encompasses not only physical postures and breathing exercises but also various techniques and practices that engage different parts of the body, including the hands. Mudras, or hand gestures, are one such powerful tool in yoga that can be used in everyday life to enhance well-being, promote relaxation, and improve mental and emotional balance. In this blog, we will explore mudras in yoga and how they can be incorporated into our daily routines for greater mindfulness and vitality. What are Mudras? Mudras are symbolic hand gestures that are believed to stimulate different energy channels or nadis in the body and influence the flow of prana, or life force energy. They are commonly used in yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda (the traditional system of medicine in India) as a way to balance the body, mind, and spirit. Mudras are typically performed by curling, extending, or crossing the fingers in specific ways to create different shapes or patterns. There are hundreds of mudras described in yogic texts, each with its own unique benefits and purposes. Some mudras are simple and can be done anytime, anywhere, while others require more practice and guidance from a qualified teacher. Mudras can be practiced in various body postures, such as sitting, standing, or lying down, and they can be combined with other yoga practices, such as asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), for a more integrated and holistic approach to health and well-being. How Mudras can be Used in Everyday Life One of the beauties of mudras is that they can be easily incorporated into our daily lives, allowing us to tap into their benefits and integrate them into our routines for greater mindfulness, relaxation, and vitality. Here are some ways in which mudras can be used in everyday life:

1. Stress Relief and Relaxation: Mudras can be used as effective tools for managing stress, anxiety, and tension. For example, the Gyan mudra, which involves touching the thumb and index finger together while extending the other three fingers, is believed to calm the mind, improve concentration, and promote inner peace. It can be practiced during stressful situations, such as in traffic, at work, or before important events, to help us stay centered and focused. 2. Boosting Energy and Vitality: Mudras can also be used to invigorate the body and mind, and enhance energy levels. For instance, the Prana mudra, which involves joining the little finger, ring finger, and thumb, while keeping the other two fingers extended, is thought to increase vitality, improve immunity, and enhance overall well-being. It can be practiced in the morning or during periods of low energy to revitalize the body and mind. 3. Enhancing Meditation and Mindfulness: Mudras can be used to deepen meditation and mindfulness practices. For instance, the Dhyana mudra, also known as the meditation mudra, involves resting the hands on the lap with palms facing up, right hand on top of the left, and thumbs gently touching. This mudra is believed to calm the mind, promote concentration, and deepen meditation practice. It can be used during meditation sessions or when practicing mindfulness in daily activities, such as sitting quietly, walking, or eating mindfully. 4. Promoting Physical and Mental Balance: Mudras can also be used to promote physical and mental balance. For example, the Vayu mudra, which involves bending the index finger and placing it at the base of the thumb, while keeping the other fingers extended, is believed to balance the element of air in the body.

Mudras are powerful tools that can be easily incorporated into our daily lives to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By using hand gestures to stimulate specific energy channels in the body, we can access our body's innate healing potential and support balance and harmony. Regular practice of mudras can help alleviate stress and anxiety, improve circulation, support healthy digestion, and promote relaxation. Whether used in conjunction with other yoga practices or on their own, mudras offer a simple yet effective way to support overall health and vitality.

The Benefits of Yoga for Stress Relief and Relaxation: Find Calm in the Chaos

In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our lives. Whether it's due to work pressure, personal challenges, or the constant bombardment of information and distractions, stress can take a toll on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Fortunately, yoga offers a powerful tool for managing stress and finding relaxation amidst the chaos of modern life. In this article, we will explore the benefits of yoga for stress relief and relaxation, and how this ancient practice can help you find calm in the midst of a hectic world.

1. Physical Relaxation:

One of the first things you may notice when you start practicing yoga is the physical relaxation it provides. Yoga involves gentle movements, stretches, and postures that release tension from the muscles and promote relaxation. As you practice yoga, you learn to tune into your body, release physical tension, and let go of stress held in the muscles.

2. Stress Hormone Regulation:

Yoga has been shown to help regulate the body's stress response system. Regular yoga practice has been found to decrease the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol, and increase the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. This can help bring the body's stress response back into balance, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress on the body and mind.

3. Mindful Awareness:

Mindfulness is a key component of yoga practice. Through deep breathing, focused attention, and present-moment awareness, yoga helps you cultivate mindfulness - the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and promote relaxation and well-being.

4. Relaxation Response Activation:

Yoga has been found to activate the body's relaxation response, which is the opposite of the stress response. The relaxation response is a state of deep relaxation where the heart rate slows down, blood pressure decreases, and the body's natural healing mechanisms are activated. This helps counteract the negative effects of stress on the body and mind, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation.

5. Improved Sleep:

Poor sleep is often a common symptom of stress. Yoga has been shown to improve the quality of sleep by calming the mind and relaxing the body. The practice of yoga can help you release tension from the body and quiet the mind, leading to better sleep and improved overall well-being.

6. Emotional Balance:

Yoga is not just a physical practice, but also an emotional one. The mind and body are deeply interconnected, and yoga helps bring harmony to this relationship. Through breathing techniques, meditation, and self-reflection, yoga can help you become more aware of your emotions, manage stress and anxiety, and cultivate emotional resilience.

7. Self-Care and Self-Compassion:

Taking time for yourself and practicing self-care is crucial for managing stress and promoting relaxation. Yoga provides a space for self-care and self-compassion, allowing you to nurture your body, mind, and soul. It encourages you to listen to your body, honor your limitations, and practice self-compassion, which can lead to a greater sense of well-being and relaxation.

8 . Social Support and Community: Yoga is often practiced in a group setting, providing an opportunity for social support and community connection. Connecting with like-minded individuals, sharing experiences, and practicing yoga together can create a supportive environment that promotes relaxation, stress relief, and a sense of belonging.

Yoga offers a holistic approach to stress relief and relaxation by addressing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of well-being. Through physical relaxation, stress hormone regulation, mindful awareness, relaxation response activation, improved sleep, emotional balance, self-care and self-compassion, and social support.

The end of the summer

28th of August 2022 – Peloponnese, Greece.

My summer was long which allowed slow time. Time to be, and time to reflect. I hardly did any yoga on the mat. I am never harsh with myself when this happens. I detached myself completely from the outside pressure that doesn’t serve me. I listen to what I need at that time and in this place. At least my years of yoga practice on the mat has taught me to go within, to listen, to be. To experience yoga outside of the mat.

My routine here in Greece was different. Late nights which meant tired mornings, hot weather which gave very few little windows to practice comfortably. There was 12 of us sharing a house which left little space for quiet time or private space.

But maybe my yoga this summer was somewhere else. Maybe it was about living all together again, the exchanges, the sharing. Maybe it was about moving at a different pace and allowing ourselves to be. I open myself to my new surrounding and what I have in front of my eyes. I watch, I observe, I listen, and I feel. My yoga is just everywhere. Everything I long for all year round is just right there in front of me. There is no routine and with that comes the ability to be in the present.

YOGA WAS EVERYWHERE

Some of my yoga was the good old helio-therapy as they would call it in Greece (aka sun therapy) That sun that I longed all year round living in London. Like a cold-blooded creature my body charges up in the sun. I had this sensation that I could store the heat in my body for the coming months.

And also some chroma-therapy (aka colour therapy) My eyes would fill up with the bright light. I forgot the sky could be so blue the sea so beautifully clear and turquoise. All the colours are vibrant and sharp. The fuchsia of the Bougainvillaea in Greece is my favourite colour, each time my eyes come across one my heart fills with joy. My senses are somehow numbed by the heat, or maybe put on slow motion….Ready to absorb and feel the instant benefits of the surroundings.

Thalasso-therapy (aka therapy from the sea) Diving in the warm crystal clear sea. Floating and just witnessing the immense beauty. Being in the water gives a great way to connect with our body. Using the low gravity to do things that are harder on the ground. I have found tremendous pleasure swimming butterfly with ease as the salty sea carries my weight more than in a normal swimming pool. I am able to explore butterfly with ease and undulate slowly and deeply before I can easily come back to the surface to take a fresh breath of oxygen. This fully nourishing breath that will then unable me to swim further. I fully open my eyes under the water, the sea is so clear. It’s just magical.

Earth given Reflexology: Walking bare foot on the pebbled beaches. Challenging for some feet that are hardly ever barefoot all year round and have lost all their agility. I enjoy the pressure under the feet and enjoy feeling some discomfort before my threshold grows and it all become just natural all over again. How can we lose this? The ability to walk bare feet? Family therapy. I haven’t read this summer. I had my own story to live. We spend hours talking, exchanging, discussing, debating, and also arguing.

Taking the time catch up, to talk lightly and to talk deeply. Family transmission – What we keep, what we don’t need to keep and what we create. Showing my kids where we got married and where their grandparents got married. A visit to the cemetery and paying our respect to those we miss.

Play and fun, kids have it in them naturally. Watching my kids play and have fun is my favorite hobby. I get so much pleasure in it. Watching them play in the waves, building rock castles, skimming rocks, trying to stand up at at five on a paddle, Jump off the roof of a boat into the deep sea. Stroking strayed dogs and cats.

YOGA, mindfulness and being in the present moment: This summer was also: filled with “Volta”, Greek for a walk with the family when the sun goes down. A boat trip and trying to not be sea sick while crossing to the other coast line - Meeting old friends and meeting new friends - Watching the sunset everyday- Star gazing – Waiting for a shooting start to appear – Seeing a shooting star when not looking for one - Taken by surprise by the Moon rising while having dinner on the beach and watching its perfect reflection on the sea - Taste and smells, Eating freshly picked sea urchins and sea potatoes, sipping café frappe all morning, eating ice cream while walking along the beach at night. And journaling daily while high on café frappe, this sacred space and practice that allows me to introspect. Take distant, digest. Time travel Coming from London and travelling to Greece is also travelling back in time. It’s not unusual to a see a family of four ride a vespa with no helmet. The fruits and vegetables pick-ups drive along the beach to sell its fruits and vegetables, making his presence known with a megaphone. The baker stops in strategic spots to sell what he has. Greece is also where the locals fish by the seaside and eat it for the next meal. Where the women gather outside of their house to peel vegetables together for the next meal while having a good chat therapy.

I cannot see it right now, but I know that I am moving forward. I may not have made any progress in strength or flexibility. But I have lived all of the above. My body didn’t just store the Greek heat. It also stored those memories. They are engrained in me. They are me. So yes, no yoga on the mat for me this summer. Tomorrow we are flying back to London, for another year. Saying goodbye is always hard. I know yoga on the mat will come back naturally and I will find joy going back into a regular practice. I will continue to explore my practice and re-feel those sensations I felt this summer. This summer was heaven, my heart was at peace, and I was able to make the most of it. Is this not yoga? Having made space in my head I will be looking forward to holding space for my students and sharing again my experiences off the mat and be able to translate them on the mat.