Hasta+Mudras+Continued


 * Hasta Mudras **
 * Hasta Mudras ** (“hand postures”) are East Indian ritual postures of the hand. These symbolic hand positions are often used when depicting an Indian deity, to indicate power or enlightenment. Indian classical dancers fold their fingers in various mudras to tell stories and indicate moods. Many practitioners of yoga say that through hasta mudras diseases can be cured and issues resolved.

There is a tremendous flow of energy in our hands and each finger represents one of the five elements—the thumb is //agni// (fire), the forefinger is //vayu// (air), the middle finger is //akash// (ether), the ring finger is //prithvi// (earth) and the little finger is //jal// (water).

"The roots of all diseases lie in an imbalance of one of the five elements and can be corrected with medicines, willpower and mudras," -- **Acharya Keshav Dev,** Director of Vivekanand Yogashram in Delhi, India

Mudras never generate an excess of energy; they simply seek an optimal balancing of prana, much like a thermostat.

Most of the mudras we will be using are adapted from the East Indian dance form Bharatanatyam.

The general interpretation for the name is ** Bha ** va(expression) + ** Ra ** ga (music) + ** Ta ** la(rhythm) + ** Natyam ** (dance) = ** Bharatanatyam **

Bharatanatyam is a very popular dance form in South India. It is oldest of all Indian classical dance forms: a dance of mind & soul. It is extremely traditional and known for its grace, purity, tenderness, statuesque & sculpturesque poses. It uplifts the dancer and the beholder to a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The dancer is considered as a worshiper, worshiper of the Divine – An embodiment of beauty, charm and gracefulness.

Although we are not learning true Indian classical dance, we should always remember the roots of the styles from which we borrow, and show respect for the highly trained practitioners of those art forms.

In Bharatanatyam, there is a differentiation made between “asamyuka” (single hand postures) and “samyuka” (double hand postures). We will be using some of each in Bollywood Tribal, in addition to hasta mudras normally used for meditation and healing.

It is important to practice the mudras so that it is natural for you to fold your fingers into the correct posture, creating the energy that is intended by the move and feeling confident in its portrayal. Before practicing the hasta mudras, make sure to stretch your hands, wrists and forearms, as you will be using many muscles you never knew you had!

HEALING/MEDITATION MUDRAS
 * ** GYAN MUDRA **

**// Used in: //**
 * // Seek Enlightenment //**
 * // Honor the Ancestors //**
 * // Gyan Bop //**
 * // Gyan Bop Combo //**
 * // Mortar/Mortar Turn //**
 * // Headslide Slide //**
 * // Scoot/Duckwalk Combo //**
 * // Come to Me //**
 * // Temple Figure-8s //** || [[image:file:///Users/kalpanaiyengar/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image002.png width="95" height="160"]] || The thumb and the index finger are brought together in gentle contact, not pressing hard, while all other fingers are kept upright. This is the mudra with which most people are familiar.

Great thinkers such as  Buddha ,  Mahavir  ,  Christ  and  Guru Nanak   are generally depicted in this pose. Its practice ensures mental peace, concentration, sharp memory and spiritual feelings. It cures insomnia and mental disorders, and dissipates tension, depression   and drowsiness. This is a must for those who aspire to develop telepathy or wish to acquire extrasensory abilities. ||
 * ** PRAN MUDRA **

**// Used in: //**
 * // Four-pose Turn //** || [[image:file:///Users/kalpanaiyengar/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image004.png width="72" height="163"]] || Touch the points of the little finger and the ring finger to the tip of the thumb lightly.

This is a life-giving mudra, it energizes the body and improves its vitality.

It helps to improve eyesight. A must for those who feel nervous, tired and weak. ||
 * ** VARUNA MUDRA **

**// Used in: //**
 * // Drink & Be Merry //** || [[image:file:///Users/kalpanaiyengar/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image006.png width="77" height="145"]] || A bit like the Gyan **Mudra**.

Touch the tip of the little finger with the tip of the thumb while the other fingers are kept upright.

Regular practice ensures an optimum level of water in the body and heals all ailments connected with dehydration. ||

** ASAMYUTA HASTAs (single hand mudras from Bharatanatyam) **
 * ** Pataka Hasta **
 * (Flag) **

**// Used in: //** To begin the dance, clouds, forest, to refuse something. To show breasts, night sky, river, the heavens. Horse, strike down, wind, sleeping, to go quietly. To indicate greatness, to offer something, moonlight, bright sunlight. To open a door, waves. To enter a street, to show equality, to anoint ones body. To show oneself, to take an oath, to show silence. To bless, ideal king, palm leaf, shield, to touch things. To indicate such and such person, ocean, to indicate everything is all right. To address a person, going forward, sword, month, year, rainy season, to sweep. These are the different usages of Pataka Hasta. ||
 * // Four-pose Turn //**
 * // The Ocean //**
 * // Chakalaka Combo //**
 * // Scoot/Duckwalk Combo //**
 * // Enticement //**
 * // BollyHop Dip & Drop //** || [[image:file:///Users/kalpanaiyengar/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image008.png width="69" height="112"]] ||
 * ** Mayura Hasta **
 * (Peacock) **

**// Used in: //** || Peacock, Creeper, Bird, Curls, Forehead, Dot on the forehead (bindi), Tears, Predictions, Famous. To show all these meanings Mayura Hasta is used. ||
 * // Peacock //** ||
 * ** Mushti Hasta **
 * (Fist) **

**// Used in: //** || Strength, Dragging by the Hair, Courageous, Holding Things, Wrestling. To show all these Mushti Hasta is used. ||
 * // Warrior //** ||
 * ** Padmakosha Hasta **
 * (Lotus bud) **

**// Used in: //** || To show Fruits like Bilwa & Kapitha, Breasts, Round, Ball, Small quantity of food, Bud, Mango, Rain of flowers, Bunch of Flowers, To show Flowers, Bell, Anthill, Lilly, Egg. This is how Padmakosha Hasta is used. || ** (Bee) **
 * // Four-pose Turn //** ||
 * ====Bhramaram Hasta====

**// Used in: //** || To show Honey Bee, Parrot, Meditation (Yoga), Birds Called Sarasa & Kokila. This is how Bhramara Hasta is used. ||
 * // Bees and Lilies //** ||
 * ** Hamsasya Hasta **
 * (Swan's bill) **

**// Used in: //** || Tying the sacred thread of marriage, Advice, Decision, Excitement, Pearls & other precious stones, Drawing, Fly, Drop of water, Wick of the lamp, Polishing, Searching, Jasmine & other flowers, Drawing a line, Holding garland, To say 'I am Brahma', Saying 'No', Looking at the polished article. Hamsasya Hasta is used to show all these things. ||
 * // Banish Demons //**
 * // Peace //** ||
 * ** Mukula Hasta **
 * (Flower bud) **

**// Used in: //** || To show Lily, Eating, Cupid, Smearing sacred marks on the body, Belly button, Banana Flower Mukula Hasta is used. ||
 * // Bees and Lilies //** ||
 * ** Mrugasheersha Hasta **
 * (Deer) **

**// Used in: //** || To show Women, Cheeks, Way of doing things, To show respect, Scare, Argument, Back Stage, The place of living, Forehead, Meeting of people, Sacred Design on the floor, Massaging the feet, Getting people together, house, Holding an umbrella, Stairs, Gate, To call the loved one, To show Movement this hasta is used. ||
 * // Bees and Lilies //** ||
 * ** Sarpasheersha Hasta **
 * (Snake’s hood) **

**// Used in: //** || Sandalwood paste,Snake, Slow, Sprinkling, Caring, Holy water, Elephant's Forehead, To show the muscles of wrestlers Sarpasheersha hasta is used. ||
 * // Bees and Lilies //**
 * // (as part of flower basket) //** ||

= = = = = = = = = = =SAMYUTA HASTAS (double hand mudras from Bharatanatyam)=
 * ** Anjali Hasta **
 * (Hands Joined) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Pataka in both the hands & join the palms to show Anjali Hasta.
 * // Seek Enlightenment //** ||

To salute God, Teacher & the Learned hold the Anjali Hasta above the head, in front of the face & in front of chest respectively. || ** (Flower Basket) **
 * =Puspaputa Hasta=

**// Used in: //** || Hold Sarpasheersha in both the hands & join them at the wrist to show Pushpaputa Hasta.
 * // Bees and Lilies //** ||

To show Lamp Offering, Children, Accept Fruits, Offering to the Sun in the evenings, Chant Holy prayers This hasta is used. ||
 * ** Utsanga Hasta **
 * (Embrace) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Mrugasheersha Hasta in both the hands, cross the hands, touch opposite shoulders to show Utsanga Hasta.
 * // Bees and Lilies //** ||

To Embrace, To show shyness, To show one's body, To discipline children Utsanga hasta is used. ||
 * ** Shakata Hasta **
 * (Demons) **

**// Used in: //** =//Banish Demons//= || || Leave the thumb & the middle fingers in Bhramara Hasta. Hold like this in both the hands & cross at the wrist to show Shakata Hasta.

This hasta is used to show Demons. ||
 * ** Matsya Hasta **
 * (fish) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Pataka hasta in both the hands, place them one above the other and stretch the thumb a bit (like the fins of fish) to show Matsya Hasta.
 * // The Ocean //** ||

This hasta is used to show Fish. ||
 * ** Garuda Hasta **
 * (Eagle) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Ardhachandra in both the hands, turn them & hold them with the thumbs to show Garuda Hasta.
 * // Warrior //** ||

This Hasta is used to show a bird called Garuda. ||
 * ** Chakra Hasta **
 * (Disc) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Ardhachandra hasta in both the hands, place them one above the other like a Plus (+) mark to show Chakra Hasta.
 * // Peace //**
 * // Warrior //** ||

This Hasta is used to show Chakra, the weapon of Lord Vishnu. ||
 * ** Khatva Hasta **
 * (Cot) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Pataka Hasta in both hands, place the hands one above the other, and stretch the index fingers down to show Khatva Hasta.
 * // Peace //** ||

This Hasta is used to show Bed. ||
 * ** Keelaka Hasta **
 * (Link) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Mrugasheersha Hasta in both hands, bend the little finger a little & join these fingers like a chain to show Keelaka Hasta. To show friendly talk this hasta is used. ||
 * // Drink & Be Merry //** ||
 * ** Samputa Hasta **
 * (Casket) **

**// Used in: //** Hold Chakra Hasta, fold the thumb & little fingers in both the hands to show Samputa Hasta.
 * // Peace //** || [[image:file:///Users/kalpanaiyengar/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image044.png width="94" height="62"]] ||

To cover things and to show the sacred box in which the idols are placed this Samputa Hasta is used. ||
 * ** Nagabandha Hasta **
 * (A pair of serpents) **

**// Used in: //** || Hold Sarpasheersha in both the hands & cross them at the wrist to show Nagabandha Hasta.
 * // Honor the Ancestors //** ||

To show Snakes, Creeper Chamber this hasta is used. || Sources:
 * The Home Page of Anu and Anand (Baratanatym section) ** – []