Shakti Mudra

Shakti Mudra 

Shakti (power, a Hindu goddess) + mudra (gesture)

Ayurvedic Element – Fire

Fundamentals

Shakti mudra (aka Shakti Chalana Mudra) is one of the most important yogic hand gestures (hasta mudra) and is focused on balancing the fire element in the body.

The mudra is also called the “seal of patience” as it is thought to increase this virtue. That makes it a useful tool to practice alongside meditation, as it may help keep you to remain still for longer periods of time – even on days when you may not feel like meditating.

You can practice the mudra at any other time when you are dealing with a situation or experience which requires more patience. Shakti Mudra is also used to strengthen the immune system, improve the health of the nervous system, and enhance life energy.

As its name implies, this mudra is connected to the goddess Shakti, which represents the feminine aspect of the universe. It may help us connect with the divine, and with our own feminine energy.

This particular manifestation of the goddess often embodies power, inner strength, and creation. By working with this deity, we can increase our own creativity, but also open our minds to new perspectives and feel more connected with others.

Connecting us to the divine energy, this mudra allows us to build our inner power and confidence, and reduce any thoughts that don’t serve us.

In this manner, we are able to prevent losing our vital energy due to any toxic thoughts and patterns. From that place, we can access a more conscious and high-vibrational state, which will bring clarity to many aspects of our lives.

Ayurvedic Element- Fire

According to Ayurveda, Shakti Mudra balances the fire element in the body.

Physically, that may help those who struggle with low blood pressure, poor digestion, or any issues related to the immune system and metabolism.

Mentally, balancing the fire element may help reduce the feeling of anxiety, and increase our ambition and enthusiasm. It may aid us to build our courage, willpower, and sense of responsibility for our own lives.

On a deeper level, working with the element of fire may help us reconnect with our true purpose, and open ourselves to transformation and growth.

Chakras- Sacral Chakra

This mudra is connected with the feminine energy, the pelvis, and the Sacral Chakra.

By working on this energy center, we will unleash our creative energy, which may help us bring to life anything we are eager to develop, regardless of whether it is a passion project, a business, or a relationship.

This chakra also helps us to work with our inner child and become more emotionally stable.

Meridians- Lung Meridian

The Shakti Mudra relates to the Lung Meridian in Chinese medicine. This meridian stems from the tip of the thumb.

An imbalanced lung meridian may lead to colds, but also depression, poor memory, and clouded thinking. It is related to the emotion of grief.

Working with this meridian may help combat any cold-related issues, but even more importantly, may aid us in resolving grief, particularly when it comes to old sorrows we haven’t yet had the ability to fully process.

Benefits Of Shakti Mudra

• Shakti mudra has a calming effect on the mind and body and may combat stress and anxiety and improves well-being.
• It helps anyone who feels physically weak or lethargic, as it boosts vital prana energy in the body. 
• Improves better sleep quality and combats irregular sleep patterns, sleeping disorders, and sleeplessness.
• Improves creativity, confidence, and mental clarity. 
• Activates and stimulates the immune and nervous systems. 
• Releases tension in the pelvic area, which may be especially helpful for those who struggle with menstrual cramps.

Contraindications

Don’t do Shakti Mudra if you have an injury or have undergone surgery on the hands, fingers, or wrists.

How-To Perform Shakti Mudra

1.  Sit in your favorite seated pose.

3. Bend your thumb to touch the palm.

4.  Wrap the index and middle finger around the thumb.

5. Now bring your both hands together, and touch the tips of the ring fingers and the little fingers with the same finger on the other hand. The knuckles of your middle and index finger should also be touching.

6. Hold the gesture near your heart center.

Bonus Tip:

Don’t place too much pressure on any of your pinky fingers, simply press them until you feel a flow of prana energy. When releasing, first separate your hands, then relax the fingers.

When to use Shakti mudra

Meditation

• Any seated pose you love using for meditation can work with this mudra, such as yoga poses: Lotus Pose (padmasana), Easy Pose, or Hero Pose.
• This pose can also be practiced standing in Mountain Pose.
• If you’d like to work more with your pelvis area and the divine feminine energy, you can practice the pose in regular or reclined Bound Angle Pose. 

Mantra

• If you’d like to focus on meditation and reducing your thoughts, practice the mudra along with Sanskrit mantra “Om” chanting.
• To work more with Shakti, or the divine feminine energy of the Goddess Durga, pair the mudra with the Adi Shakti Mantra. 
• In your yoga practice, if you want to focus on working with the Sacral Chakra, chant the seed mantra for this chakra, which is Vam.

Pranayama

• Also known as “Breath of Fire”, Kappalabhati breath may be the most suitable pranayama to go along this mudra, especially if your main focus is working with the fire element.  It involves quick, fast exhalations out of the nose. 

Where & When

• The mudra is traditionally practiced for 30 minutes per day. You can do the entire 30 minutes at once, or divide the practice into three 10-minute sessions.
• It is believed you will gain the biggest benefit of a mudra if you practice it continuously for at least two months.
• The best time to practice Shakti mudra is in the morning, on an empty stomach.

For more in-depth asana resources, check out our free Mudra Library. Here you’ll find complete guides to each and every yoga mudra to deepen your yoga knowledge.

Each mudra page features high-quality photos and illustrations, insights into the meridian, chakra, and ayurvedic element systems, as well as tips on how, why, and when to practice each mudra.