GYAN MUDRA

Mudra is formed by the Sanskrit words ‘mud’ - joy, and ‘ra’ - to produce. Numerous mudras, or hand postures, are applied in Yoga and meditation, but mudras can be seen throughout history in Buddhist, Janism, and Hindu iconographies, as well as Traditional Indian dance. The various hand and finger movements formed while practicing any mudra were believed to invigorate specific energy pathways in the body, which we now associate to building links within the nervous system.

The gyan, or chin mudra is known as the ‘mudra of knowledge’ and is formed by placing the index and thumb to form a circle, with the remaining fingers left comfortably outstretched and the palms facing upward. Traditionally, gyan mudra was used to promote and maintain stability during seated mediation practices, and is often also used today in standing postures like tree pose (vrksasana) and Lord of the Dance pose (natarajasana). Practicing gyan mudra aids the practitioner in increasing mental strength and sharpening concentration so to better focus on attaining true wisdom. The bond formed between thumb and forefinger symbolises the union of Self and Universe; the thumb representing the supreme consciousness - Brahman, and the forefinger, one’s soul - Atman.

In Ayurveda, gyan mudra boosts Vayu, the element of air, leading to improved nervous system and pituitary gland function. Recently, mudras have piqued interest within modern health science. In a set of published studies, regularly practicing Yoga and meditation has been shown to “reverse the expression of inflammatory mediators and to maintain homeostasis and physiological functions of the autonomic, endocrine, and HPA axes”, meriting gyan mudra to “relief from stress, anxiety, depression, and tension... better sleep, improves blood circulation in the nervous system and pituitary gland.”