Prayer Position - Anjali Mudra - The Salutation Seal
Anjali Mudra also known as Pranam is widely recognised as a greeting and a way of thanking people. It holds the same meaning as Namaste.
Anjali Mudra brings many benefits and represents unification bringing the right and left sides of the body and brain together. It also symbolises the unification of yoga, the coming together and the connection between the individual self and the universe.
Anjali mudra is considered as the highest greeting.
During a yoga practise Anjali Mudra helps to centre body and mind and brings a calming sensation, when performed it reminds us to be grateful.
Anjali Mudra assists greatly when performing balancing postures such as the tree (vrksasana).
Anjali Mudra helps practitioners come into a meditative state and find inner peace.
Anjali Mudra improves the flexibility of the hands, wrists, fingers and arms.
How to perform Anjali Mudra
Bring your palms together with your fingertips pointing up. Make sure you have equal pressure in each hand.
When the hands are placed in front of the sternum feel that the elbows are lifted and that you have space under your armpits and allow your shoulders to broaden and soften away from your ears.
Anjali Mudra can be performed in a number of postures from seated to standing to twisting. It can be done with the hands in front of the sternum (at the heart centre), above the head, behind the back or to the side of the body.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
