Hand Mudras 101: What They Are, How To Use Them + 13 Mudras To Try

Here's what hand mudras are all about, plus 13 to use in your meditation and/or yoga practice.

In Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, the body is believed to be comprised of five elements, which are ideally balanced in the body. Hand mudras, specifically, relate to the elemental property of the five fingers, which are as follows:

You can incorporate different mudras into different yoga poses or meditations depending on the benefits of that specific mudra. Some are more suited for focus and concentration, for example, while others are better for boosting energy and vitality.

A gesture of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, the gyan mudra symbolizes focus and transformation. It's also great for grounding and supporting the root chakra.

Make a circle by bringing your thumb and index fingertips to touch and leaving your other three fingers extended. With both hands in the gyan mudra, rest them on your knees, with your palms facing up.

Relating to the element of Earth, the privthi mudra is grounding and stabilizing, improving your stamina as well. "Prithvi" actually means Earth in Sanskrit, and as such, this mudra is a great one for working with your root chakra.

Bring your ring finger to gently touch your thumb, extending your three other fingers outward. With both hands in the privthi mudra, bring your hands to your knees with the palms facing up.

With the pinky finger representing the element of water, this mudra connects you to the water in your own body, as well as the sacral chakra. Water is life—and it must balanced within us in order for us to feel our best. Use this mudra to balance your literal or emotional waters, and work with your sacral chakra.

Bring your thumb and pinky finger together gently with the palms facing up. Try to keep your fingers extended but relaxed. (They'll naturally curl a bit, which is OK.) Like all mudras, use both hands.

"Prana" in Sanskrit means "breath," but also "life force," and that's exactly what this mudra is about. It enlivens your energy and vitality from the root chakra, spreading it all throughout your system. With the ring and pinky fingers relating to Earth and water, respectively, this mudra increase those elements in the body while quelling internal fire.

Bring the tips of your pink and ring fingers to gently touch the tip of your thumb, extending your index and middle finger outwards on both hands. Have the palms facing up.

The apana mudra is also known as the "purification mudra," believed to help purify the body. With the middle and ring finger relating to ether (or space) and Earth, respectively, this mudra can help bring down fire or "pitta" in the body for more balance.

Gentle bring the tips of your middle and ring finger to touch the tip of your thumb on both hands. Extend your index and pinky finger outward, and place your hands on your knees with the palms facing up.

If you need to calm down, the vayu mudra isn't one to miss. With the thumb (which relates to fire) pressing the index finger (air), this mudra calms the mind and encourages emotional processing and release. It's also excellent for working with your heart chakra.

Curl your index finger down to the fleshy base of your thumb and cross your thumb on top to hold it down. Extend your middle, ring, and pinky fingers out with the palms facing up, placing your hands on your knees.

A mudra for relieving feelings of emptiness and/or numbness, the shunya mudra decreases the element of ether/space, which allows the other elements to balance in the body. Too much ether can result in feeling disconnected, and this mudra brings you back to your body and emotions.

Curl your middle finger down to the fleshy base of your thumb and place your thumb on top to hold it down gently. Extend your index, ring, and pinky fingers out with the palms facing up. Perform the mudra with both hands, placing them on your knees.

Connecting the elements of fire and Earth, the surya mudra increases heat in the body, unlike some of the other ones on this list, which help quell it. Times you might want to turn up the heat include, for instance, when you need an energy boost or want to improve your strength. This is also a great mudra for the solar plexus chakra—"surya" does translate to "Sun," after all.)

Curl your ring finger down to the fleshy base of your thumb, extending your index, middle, and pinky fingers outward. Have both hands placed on your knees with the palms facing up.

This mudra is way more than just making a fist—it can help calm your nervous system, boost oxygen flow, and even increase the breath capacity of your lungs. It's also thought to help increase concentration, making it excellent for the third eye and crown chakras.

Curl your thumb in towards your palm, and curl your other four fingers around it to hold it down. Placing both hands on your knees, have the palms facing up.

Whether you call it "hands to prayer," "hands at heart center," or in this case, the anjali mudra, this divine salute is a gesture of peace, gratitude, and humility. It's commonly used in greetings and prayer, making it an excellent mudra to thank those watching out for you in life and express gratitude for a teacher or lesson. but it can also be incorporated into your yoga and meditation practice for balance and concentration.

Bring your palms together in prayer and place the tips of your thumbs to your heart so that your arms run straight along your chest.

The hakini mudra is thought to connect the hemispheres of the brain, aiding in concentration as well as mental clarity, plus uniting your logical and intuitive minds. It can also be used to communicate and connect with your spirit guides, perfect for when you need to ask for assistance or share a concern with your spiritual role models or guardian angels. The mental nature of this mudra makes it well suited for the third eye chakra, too.

Touch all of your fingertips gently together to create a triangle. This mudra can be held up to your chest with the thumbs facing down, or down by your abdomen with the thumbs facing up, depending on which is more comfortable for you in that moment.

The Shield of Shambhala mudra, also commonly referred to just as the shambhala mudra, is exactly what it sounds like: a shield. Shambhala is a mythical kingdom in which all of its citizens have achieved enlightment, and this mudra is thought to cultivate that enlightenment within you. The "shield" in its namesake is a shielf from negativity and clouded thinking.

For males, just switch the hands, forming a first with your left hand and pressing it against your right palm.

If this mudra looks familiar, it's likely because a large majority of the Buddha statues you see will depict the Buddha using it—and for good reason! "Dhyana" is actually the Sanskrit word for meditation, and this is an easy hand position to hold if you're meditating for extended periods. It's primarily used in this way, encouraging deeper meditations and inner reflection.

To do this mudra, simply place your right hand on top of your left, overlapping your fingers and bringing your thumbs to touch gentle. Hold your hands in your lap as you sit for meditation.

Whether you're new to yoga and meditation or you're looking to deepen your existing practice, hand mudras might be just what you're missing. There are literally hundreds to choose from, but this starter pack of the more common ones should give you a good sense of how mudras work—so you can start experiencing the benefits for yourself.