There are numerous hand mudras or positions that lock and guide the energy flow and stimulate different areas of the brain. Each finger relates to a planetary energy and the quality that each planet represents. the thumb relates to the personal of the individual (the ego). Below are the commonly used ones.
Gyan Mudra (Seal of Knowledge)– To form Gyan Mudra, put the tip of the thumb together with the tip of the index (first) finger. The other three fingers are straight and relaxed. The energy of the index finger is associated with Jupiter, representing knowledge, wisdom, and expansion. Using this mudra stimulates receptivity, inner wisdom and calmness. It is one of the most commonly used.
Buddhi Mudra (Seal of Mental Clarity) -Touch the tip of the little (fourth) finger and the tip of thumb together. The other three fingers are straight. Creates capacity to clearly and intuitively communicate, stimulates psychic development. Mercury; quickness, mental powers of communication.
Shuni Mudra (Seal of Patience) – Touch the tip of the middle (second) finger and the tip of the thumb together. The other three fingers are straight. Promotes patience, discernment, and commitment. Saturn; taskmaster, taking responsibility, and courage to hold to duty.
Surya or Ravi Mudra (Seal of Sun, Life) – Touch the tip of the ring (third) finger and the tip of thumb together. The other three fingers are straight. Revitalizing energy, nerve strength, and good health. Sun; energy, health, and sexuality. Uranus; nerve strength, intuition, and change.
Buddha Mudra – Hands in the Lap – For a woman, rest the right palm facing up in the lap with the left hand palm up on top of it. Put the thumb tips together. The hand positions are reversed for a man.
Venus Lock – This mudra channelizes sexual energy and promotes glandular balance, and can facilitate concentration and focus. The palms face each other, connecting the positive and negative sides of the Venus Mound – the fleshy area of the thumbs. For feminine-identifying individuals, interlace the fingers with the right little finger on the bottom. Place the right thumb in the webbing between the thumb and index finger of the left hand. The left thumb presses the fleshy mound at the base of the right thumb. For masculine-identifying individuals, reverse the sequence, so the right forefinger on top, and the left pinky is on the bottom.
Bear Grip – Place the left palm facing out from the chest with the thumb down. place the palm of the right hand over the left facing the chest. curl the fingers of both hands so the hands form a fist. This mudra is used to stimulate the heart and to intensify concentration.
Prayer Pose (Pranam Mudra) – The palms of both hands and fingers are completely touching. The outer edge of the mound of the thumb is pressed into the sternum. Neutralizes the positive side of the body (right, sun, masculine) with the negative side (left, moon, feminine).
There is a science to using Prayer Pose (Pranam Mudra) because there is a polarity in the body between the right side (the pingala) and the left side (the ida). When you put the right and left hands together, you neutralize the positive and negative polarities of the electromagnetic field. This action creates a neutral space.
The position of the thumb knuckles (in the center notch of the breastbone) is a reflex point for the vagus nerve, one of the major nerves that connects with the pineal gland. The pressure created in this space during Pranam Mudra immediately causes the pineal and pituitary glands to secrete, which creates a resonance in the brain that resets its normal rhythm to a meditative state. Research on the vagus nerve has revealed that it is involved in our feelings of compassion and empathy 2; therefore this mudra allows one’s prayer to come from the heart.