Mudra - a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal

The word mudra has a number of different connotations in Yoga. It stands for locks or seals (bandha) applied in concentration practices such as Asvini Mudra and Jalandhara Bandha, as well as gestures performed with the hands and fingers during the practice of asana and meditation to provide a mental focus. 

Postures (asana) such as Maha Mudra and Tadaka Mudra involve the entire body. According to the Gheranda Samhita (see below), these postures, in which bandhas are applied, "increase the gastric fire" (jathara agni) and direct it to the place within the body where waste matter blocks the flow of energy.

Thus, mudra is described as both a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal.

Kaki Mudra – “crow seal”

This is a breathing technique. The lips are shaped like a crow’s beak when breathing in, as if drinking the breath in through a straw. According to the Gheranda Samhita, by practicing this technique, one becomes "free of disease, like a crow”.

Anjali Mudra – “prayer seal”

In this hand gesture, the palms of the hands are placed together, slightly cupped, in front of the heart. Anjali Mudra is still used as a form of greeting. When greeting a spiritual personage, the palms are held at eye level, and when making a reverent salutation, they are held above the head.

Tadaka Mudra – “tank seal”

Lting on the back, feet together with the hands linked and the abdomen hollowed, like a well or pool. Both Jalandhara Bandha (“chin lock”) and Uddiyana Bandha (“abdominal lock”) are applied when exhaling. This seal is said "to prevent aging and death.

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (see below) describes mudras as “divine” because they lead to liberation and produce the "classic paranormal abilities of a liberated being". Mudras give both enjoyment and liberation. They have great curative and rejuvenating powers. 

Please note: these techniques should always be learnt with the guidance of a qualified teacher.

References

The Gheranda Samhita, meaning Gheranda's collection, is one of the three classic texts of Hatha Yoga, the other two being the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita. It is a late 17th century CE text and is considered to be the most encyclopedic of the three classic texts on Hatha Yoga.

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a classic Sanskrit manual on Hatha Yoga. Said to be the oldest surviving text on Hatha Yoga, it was written in the 15th century CE.