Of all the mudras taught by Buddha the most important mudra is the Uttarabodhi Mudra, also known as one of the Buddha Mudras. Considered the most powerful mudra for healing the body and mind, this particular mudra heals by raising the energy of the body and mind to a higher spiritual healing platform. The fingers are held upward which shows the movement of energy i.e upwards. The energy from the root chakra moves all the way to the crown chakra.
In this article, we provide a deep look at how to perform the Uttarabodhi 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 Uttarabodhi Mudra?
Extend your index fingers and thumbs as shown. Clasp the other three fingers and close them as shown. Meditate on the pulse at the tip of the index finger and the thumb. Palms are slightly separated. Start focusing on the root chakra raise the energy all the way upto crown chakra all the way along the central canal. meditate on the crown chakra. Focus on the flow of energy and check if its streamlined. Practice this mudra for about 15-20 minutes every day.
When Should I Perform the Uttarabodhi Mudra?
The Uttarabodhi Mudra is useful for:
- Improving concentration
- Meditation practices
- Calming the mind
- Treating depression and lack of enthusiasm
- Finding clarity in your thoughts
- Overcoming fear
- Attaining higher knowledge and enlightenment
- Improving creativity
- Stimulating all the five elements of the body and mind
Remember that it is very important to feel your pulse at the top half the index finger and the thumbs while performing this mudra. The Uttara Bodhi mudra can be used in all sitting meditative poses.
Precautions When Practicing Uttarabodhi Mudra
Uttarabodhi mudra is a very meditative mudra opening up the channels and lungs. It also clears the mind. Hence it should practice at the end of all meditative mudras. The practitioner should follow clean habits in order achieve the full benefits of this mudra.
Suggested Sequence
- Sit in a comfortable position.
- Join your hands in a prayerful, meditative position.
- Straighten your back.
- Extend your index fingers and thumbs and then clasp the other three fingers and close them as shown.
- Hold the Uttarabodhi Mudra for 10-20 minutes.
- Practice Prana Mudra for 10 minutes.
- Join your hands together and end with a prayer.
What Chakras Does Uttarabodhi Mudra Activate?
Uttarabodhi mudra activates all the chakras. Since the crown chakra is the topmost chakra if crown chakra needs full activation all the other chakras need to open as well. Therefore energy slowly moves from the root chakra through all the chakras to the crown chakra. This effectiveness of this activation depends on the purity
Related Mudras
The following are all similar mudra which enlighten the body and mind:
- Dhyana Mudra
- Gyan Mudra
- Surabhi Mudra
- Akasha Mudra
- Hakini Mudra
Related Yoga Poses
In warrior three we can extend the hands in Uttarabodhi mudra pose and the pose will give us excellent results. Even when sitting in the lotus pose we can hold this pose as energy in lotus pose is moving upwards. This mudra can also be performed when we perform standing backwards poses as this lets us extend the fingers and thumbs. The back bending then becomes very relaxing and calming. When we extend the hands in the Anjaneyasana we can perform this particular mudra raising energy upwards. Vajrasana (diamond pose), Siddhasana (perfect pose) are other poses in which this mudra can be performed for excellent results.
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
- 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
- Varada Mudra
- Vayu Mudra
- Vitarka Mudra
- Yoni Mudra