The Hidden Power in Your Hands

At an early age I learned the hidden power that lies in our hands, by digging in the dirt to plant flowers, making sand castles on the beach and at my grandmother's watching her making pasta by hand, kneading bread and preparing meals for us, always infused with love. I remember kneeling beside her in church, her eyes closed & the peaceful expression on her face as her hands clasped around her rosary beads in prayer.

As an adult, I witnessed all three of my newborn children, each taking their turn, reaching up & curling their tiny hands tightly around my index finger as an affirmation of trust in me. As my children each grew, we  finger painted, tickled, recited silly finger plays and sang songs with gestures like the "Itsy Bitsy Spider".

My own hands were used to hold & comfort my sons as they struggled with their dad's and my  "unfriendly" divorce, friendship problems and the confusion of everyday life, and I did my best to soothe and protect my daughter as I stood with my hands on her shoulders the day she blew a kiss and waved goodbye to her 'nonno' (grandfather) at his funeral service.

Hands gestures such as these as well as peace signs, "ok" signs and even the "middle finger" are something that we use all the time.  Sometimes the gestures are intended for good and sometimes for not-so-good, and yet do we really know what true power lies within them?

In many cultures, the hands, along with facial expressions, are used to tell ancient stories-each hand gesture or position has a different meaning.  These gestures are translated into symbols or seals and give a deeper look into the state of consciousness of the person using them.

The "Chin Mudra" is commonly
used for meditation

A Mudra is a hand gesture that can engage a certain area of the brain and/or soul for a specific purpose and can exercise & affect the corresponding organ or emotional influence.  There are mudras for just about every purpose: anxiety, strength, confidence, asthma, weight loss, peace, blood pressure control and more. Mudras can be easily and quietly applied and used  as a simple self-calming technique for children with sensory or other cognitive challenges. In short, we have the power in our hands to engage and influence our body & our mind by crossing, bending, extending or touching our fingers with other fingers.

In Hatha Yoga there are 25 mudras that include body (asanas) & eye positions. In Kundalini Yoga the mudras are used in addition to breath and asana (postures) to intensify the effect of the yoga. In Tibetan yoga, as well as Reflexology and other forms of Chines Medicine, the hands are said to have many reflex zones (about 5,000 points on each hand and foot) and each zone or point is associated with a specific part of the body and brain. By stimulating those points through deep massage or mudra, the hands become a medium for healing of both the body & mind. Medical science supports this understanding by showing us the many nerve endings and synapses that lie just below the surface of our fingertips and palms. We know that cerebral activity is activated and strengthened by touching and feeling, especially with the fingertips.

Each finger represents an element or an aspect. For example, the thumb, represents divine consciousness; the index finger, human consciousness. When the two are joined together, as in the image above, the mudra represents the joining of human and divine consciousness.

If we look at the elemental aspects, the index finger represents inspiration (energy from the outside) and the thumb stands for intuition (energy from inside of us). When we join the two together, they form a closed & continual unity. The powers of both are connected both symbolically and physically. This gesture is commonly seen practiced by those who are meditating to intensify the  imagery or point of focus or sense of inner peace.

"Garuda" Mudra (Mystical Bird)

Mudras can be practiced any time any place and by almost anyone. Mudras provide a way of brain, body & gland stimulation for those adults & children who have weak motor skills or cannot move their lower body to walk, exercise or practice yoga asana. Mudras can be practiced for 15 minute intervals, 3 times daily for adults. Children can practice for as long as possible and gradually increase the time to 15 minute intervals.

One of my favorite mudras to do with children is what we call "Baby Butterfly" in our yoga adventures, but is actually the "Garuda" mudra that affects & stimulates blood flow, circulation and internal organs. It also connects & balances the activity between the right and left hemispheres of the brain as well as calms respiratory spasms, relieves hormonal cramps & upset stomach.  It regulates mood fluctuations and can help recover from fatigue. The children "fly" their butterflies for a few minutes a few times a class. Some are challenged by getting the hands in position, but once they do, they seem fascinated by the movement and also proud that they have mastered it. I encourage them to breathe deeply as they "fly" their butterflies.

Lotus (Padma) Mudra

I think my favorite mudra is the Padma (Lotus) Mudra. (Image at right). This gesture resembles a blossoming flower, opening up towards the sun & can be used in times of distress; when you feel isolated, drained, exploited, misunderstood or lonely. In this mudra we "Open" the flower wide & take 4 slow deep breaths, then "close" it and count 4 more slow complete breaths. You can repeat this as many times as you need to. This gesture is connected to the heart, and strengthens & integrates the body/mind connection & improves our capacity to communicate & to give & receive love.

When we practice mudra regularly in an attentive silence, it can help us develop a sense of focus and confidence. We gradually become aware of new insights, solutions to problems and embrace new experiences. It helps us recapture our sense of playfulness so that we can learn to look for & see the best and overcome the worst. 

It can also help us to understand why when obstacles are presented, it may be helpful to keep our fingers crossed.

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