Hridaya Mudra

हृदय मुद्रा

Also known as: Apan Vayu Mudra

Meditation/SpiritualEarthFireAirSpace

Etymology

Hridaya (हृदय) means 'heart'

How Mudras Work

Theory

The hands have a disproportionately large area of representation in the brain's sensory and motor cortices, a concept visualized by the cortical homunculus.

Implementation

A mudra holds the fingers in a specific, sustained posture, creating a stable and precise pattern of neural input from the hand to the brain.

Practice

This focused neural circuit influences brainwave activity and helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, allowing you to consciously shift your psychological and energetic state towards a desired quality like calmness or focus.

Finger Position

Index finger at thumb base, middle and ring fingers touch thumb tip

Duration

15-45 minutes

Difficulty

Beginner

Associated Chakras

Anahata(Heart)
Bija Mantra: PUSHPA OM
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Highlighted fingers indicate active contact points

MGN Notation

HAND(RIGHT)
  PALM(UP)
  WRIST(STRAIGHT)
  T: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(2.tip), TOUCH(3.tip)
  1: BENT, TOUCH(T.base)
  2: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(T.tip)
  3: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(T.tip)
  4: STRAIGHT
  FINGERS(TOGETHER)

Instructions

This is a classical dance mudra representing the bee, sacred to various Hindu deities and symbol of focused dedication and sweet wisdom. Touch your index finger to your thumb while extending your other three fingers in a natural curve (traditional texts describe this as embodying the bee's focused devotion in gathering nectar while serving the whole hive). The curved fingers represent the bee's wings while the circle represents its single-pointed focus on the source of sweetness....

Quick Start Checklist

  • 1Sit upright; touch middle fingertip to thumb tip
  • 2Keep other three fingers extended naturally
  • 3Rest hands on knees palm up
  • 4Breathe into heart center with awareness
  • 5Practice 10-15 minutes; focus on heart opening
  • 6Cultivate compassion and emotional balance

Benefits

Physical

  • First-aid for heart conditions. Strengthens heart muscle
  • regulates palpitations
  • relieves gas and acidity

Mental

  • Emotional release and heart opening

Spiritual

Traditional texts describe this as "opening the heart center and cultivating love" — their terms for how heart-centered positioning activates the parasympathetic nervous system's bonding and compassion functions. Practitioners often report that this mudra helps develop what ancient sources called "heart consciousness" — a naturally loving and open state that can support emotional healing and compa

Precautions

  • !Stop if any chest discomfort occurs during practice.

Clinical Applications

Anxiety & Stress ManagementCardiovascular HealthChronic Pain Management

Guided Practice

Fold ring finger to touch thumb base while extending other fingers toward heart center. This heart gesture activates cardiovascular emotional regulation and promotes heart-centered awareness (McCraty et al., 2009). SAFETY: Those with heart conditions should practice gently. Monitor response if taking cardiac medications. Stop if experiencing chest discomfort. Feel how this heart-centered contact naturally opens emotional awareness and promotes cardiovascular balance. Many practitioners notice enhanced heart rate coherence and emotional stability within minutes. Practice 10-20 minutes for heart health. APPLICATIONS: During emotional stress for heart regulation, before heart-centered activities, or when needing enhanced emotional intelligence and compassion. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Those with serious cardiac conditions should consult healthcare providers. Avoid during acute heart symptoms or uncontrolled blood pressure.

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Symbolism

Traditional Hindu texts describe the heart as the seat of love, compassion, and spiritual connection. Ancient practitioners believed this heart-centered gesture represented what they called 'divine love' - the capacity to love without conditions or limitations while maintaining emotional strength an

Traditional Uses

Heart chakra openingemotional healing
Source: Mudras document
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