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Hridaya Mudra

हृदय मुद्रा

Also known as: Apan Vayu Mudra

Meditation/SpiritualEarthFireAirSpace

Etymology

Hridaya (हृदय) means 'heart'

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

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

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