Brahma mudra is a hand gesture that is believed to cultivate a sense of inner peace and stillness. It is named after Brahma, the Hindu creator god, and is often used in yoga and meditation practices to quieten the mind and connect with the divine. This mudra also influences the lower abdominal healing. The apana vayu (the air that goes downward cleansing the intestines) and the fire chakra, the one that improves the fire of digestion are influenced by this mudra. Brahma had four heads. This mudra includes moving the head on all sides and meditating in all directions and we get the healing influence from all directions.
In this article, we provide a deep look at how to perform the Brahma 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 Brahma Mudra?
Clasp your thumb with all the other fingers and make a fist. Hold the hands with fingers facing upwards. Bring them closer to the body near the navel area. Breathe slow and deep. You can sit in any comfortable asana or a chair. Breathe deeply and focus on the navel chakra. As you meditate on the navel chakra you can feel a healing digestive heat being developed. This digestive heat gradually improves. After about 15 minutes of meditation look to the right for a minute, Continue deep breathing. After a minute look to the left breathe for a minute. Then turn around with the direction that is left and then breathe for a minute. After doing so relax the mind and feel calm meditating on Lord Brahma who has the power to create. When you do this meditative process you will find that your digestive heat increases and your creativity improves as well.
When Should I Perform the Brahma Mudra?
The Brahma mudra is useful for:
- Improving digestion
- Meditation practices
- Makes the mind creative
- Detoxes the body
- Stabilizes the thought process
- Calms the energy in the stomach area
- When the full ritual is done remembering Brahma memory increases
- Enhancing the endocrine system
Precautions When Practicing Brahma Mudra
Those who have problem with burning sensation or high heat in the body should not perform this mudra only for about 5 minutes.
What Chakras Does Brahma Mudra Activate?
This mudra activates Ajna, Manipura, Visuddha and Sahasrara Chakras.
Related Mudras
Apana Mudra, Apana Vayu Mudra, Prana Mudra and Agni Mudra are similar to Brahma Mudra.
Related Yoga Poses
Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend), Padangusthanasana (Standing Forward fold), Marichyasana series (asanas of sage marichi ) are similar to the Brahma Mudra.
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
- Adi Mudra
- Agni Mudra
- Akasha Mudra
- Anjali Mudra
- Apana Vayu Mudra
- Bhumisparsha 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