Adi Mudra, is a powerful hand formation that can improve emotional balance in the body. It looks like a clenched fist, except that in this case the action is a deliberate attempt to liberate emotions and detox the body. When we are overcome with emotions, we notice that that whole physiology changes. This can have effects on both the body and the mind. Therefore in order to heal the body and mind these emotions needs to be released. One of the best ways of releasing the stress is to perform the adi mudra along with calming of your breath with deep breathing.
In this article, we provide a deep look at how to perform the Adi Mudra, as well as its numerous benefits and important precautions.
What are Mudras?
Mudras are hand gestures that activate a certain element or energy in the body. The five fingers represent the five elements. The energy activation point lies on the fingertips. When the fingertips are connected, the subtle energy in your body gets activated. The thumb represents the fire element. This element represents agni within the body, and it serves to activate all the other elements.
The index finger represents air, middle finger ether, ring finger earth and the little finger represents the water element.
When different hand formations, or mudras, are formed, the combination of subtle elements has a powerful effect on the mind and body.
How Can Mudras Heal?
There is a spiritual force that mediates our mind-body connection. Ayurveda says that when the elements in our body are balanced, our bodies and minds are healthy. Whenever imbalance arises, we can attain balance by activating specific elements using various mudras. Acupuncture is another method that involves activating specific points in the body and improving the flow of energy. Mudras act in a similar way. The tips of our fingers act like electrical potential points, and when the mudras are formed, they create an electrical circuit that circulates energy throughout the body. As this energy circulates, we feel a healing effect. The most astonishing fact is that our brain uses about 60% of its surface area to process the movements and sensations of the hands.
RECOMMENDED: For a complete guide to the many mudras and their benefits, check out Healing Mudras: Yoga of the Hands by Yogi Nataraj.
How to Perform the Adi Mudra?
The Adi Mudra activates all the elements (i.e earth , water, fire, air and ether) within the body. Clasp the thumb with all the four fingers of both hands, relax your breath. Simply relax your breath, Practice this for about 5 minutes and then release the thumb, again do this for about 5 minutes. You can see the release of emotions. After practicing about 3-4 times (5-minute interval each) you can see the change in emotion. You will feel more relaxed and rejuvenated.
When Should I Perform the Adi Mudra?
The Adi mudra is useful for:
- Relaxes emotions
- Calms down tensions
- Calming the mind
- Releases anger
- Calms the heart
- very good way to release stored repressed emotions
- Practice this before any conflicting situation to release emotions
- Enhancing the endocrine system
- Strengthening the muscular system
Precautions When Practicing Adi Mudra
Make sure you practice this mudra with the proper understanding , this mudra is meant to get rid of emotions, hence deep breathing and calming is necessary.
What Chakras Does Adi Mudra Activate?
Adi mudra, relaxes the heart chakra. The heart chakra is the seat of emotions and therefore needs to be calmed and relaxed. Therefore this mudra releases repressed emotions.
Related Mudras
Musti Mudra, Samana Mudra, Gyan mudra, Surabhi Mudra give similar effects.
Related Yoga Poses
Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend), Mayurasana (Peacock pose) give similar effects.
List of Mudra Guides
Mudras are very beneficial when performed with proper understanding. Mudras deal with individual elements, combinations of elements, the vital airs, the vital functions and even moods and feelings. Regular practice of each mudra based on our needs and present condition can help us achieve the specific results we are looking for. Please explore our various mudra guides and try out the practices that suit your needs
Chakra Mudras
- Mudras for the Root Chakra
- Mudras for the Sacral Chakra
- Mudras for the Navel Chakra
- Mudras for the Heart Chakra
- Mudras for the Throat Chakra
- Mudras for the Third-eye Chakra
- Mudras for the Crown Chakra
Mudra Sequences
Individual Mudra Guides
- Abhaya Mudra
- Agni Mudra
- Akasha Mudra
- Anjali Mudra
- Apana Vayu Mudra
- Bhumisparsha Mudra
- Brahma Mudra
- Dharmachakra Mudra
- Dhyan Mudra
- Ganesha Mudra
- Gyan Mudra
- Kundalini Mudra
- Lotus Mudra
- Musti Mudra
- Prana Mudra
- Prithvi Mudra
- Rudra Mudra
- Shakti Mudra
- Shankha Mudra
- Shunya Mudra
- Surya Mudra
- Udana Vayu Mudra
- Uttarabodhi
- Varada Mudra
- Vayu Mudra
- Vitarka Mudra
- Yoni Mudra