Increase strength, health and confidence

Performing mudras (yogic gestures or even attitudes) are energizing and powerful means to arouse energy or shakti and to unite the individual vital life with the universal or cosmic energy or Divine consciousness.  They can be known as a way to uplift and create a certain psychic, emotional, devotional and aesthetic attitude and really enhances how we connect to a higher force of energy. Performing mudras can develop our concentration, deepen our awareness and change our perception, they can be simple hand gestures or involve the whole body - here Prana Mudra or otherwise known as Shanti Mudra is explained.  It provides a direct link between the body, mind and energy increases our strength, overall health and sense of confidence and connection with the universe.  It is a beautiful mudra when performed after your asana practice and pranayama it really invokes the subtle flow of energy throughout the system and brings an inner sense of peace and equanimity as it brings an attitude of offering and receiving energy to and from the divine source of life.

1. Sit in any comfortable meditation posture with the right hand resting on top of the left - palms facing upward. 

2. Close the eyes and become settled, bring your awareness to your easy breathing and relax the body in your stable position.  Inhale deeply and fully then exhale completely.  Contract the abdominal muscles inward to really push out all the exhalation and retain the breath here, creating udyhana bandha.  Contract the pelvic floor muscles creating moola bandha hold for as long as is comfortable without strain.

3.Release the two bandhas and begin a deep inhalation - breathing into the abdomen, at the same time release the hands the palms facing the body and bring them in front of the navel.  Feel a sense of lifting the energy upward within the body.

4. Continue the inhalation expanding the chest and raising the hands until they are in front of the sternum at the centre of the chest, keeping the sense of the energy being lifted.

5. Continue the inhalation slightly raising the clavicles and raise the hands to the front of the throat - still raising the energy.

6. Retain the breath now and spread the arms out to the sides the palms facing upward the arms are not straight.  Bring the concentration to the crown of the head and visualize and aura of light emanating from the head.  Hold the retention for as long as is possible without forcing or straining and feel the whole being radiating vibrations of peace throughout your system and to all living entities.  Radiate vibrations of peace to the whole universe.

7. Begin the exhalation slowly and with control and bring the hands and arms back down to the original position in the same way they came up - past the throat, chest and abdomen.  And feel the energy progressing down the body.

8. Apply the moola bandha - contracting into the pelvic floor muscles for as long is as comfortable.  Then release and relax the whole body and the breath.  Sit in the love and the light of your whole complete self and Divine energy.

With this mudra benefit your whole system but also the whole universe - be an ambassador for peace.

Have beautiful practice and beautiful days

AUM shanti shanti shanti 

Mangala / Nicky