Ādhi Mudra (Ah-dhee) - Gesture of Primordial Stillness
Adhi Mudra's simplicity and essence of stillness make it a valuable addition to any yoga practice. A primordial gesture that represents utter stillness creating space for our authentic selves to be seen.
Instructions
- Sit in a comfortable seated position.
- Tuck your thumb into the palm of your hand.
- Wrap the other fingers around the thumb, making a gentle fist.
- Ensure the fist is not too tight; maintain a sense of ease.
- Place your knuckles on your thighs, with the back of your hands facing upwards.
- Keep your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
Benefits
- Calms and soothes the nervous system.
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- Aids in focusing the mind, especially beneficial in meditation.
- Improves lung capacity by encouraging deeper breathing.
- Balances the energy flow in the body.
When to Practice
- During meditation for enhanced concentration.
- When feeling stressed or anxious to induce calmness.
- In the beginning or end of a yoga session to center and balance.
- Anytime during the day for a quick mental reset.
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Best Time of Day: Evening
Contraindications
People with hypotension (low blood pressure) should monitor effects of the Adhi mudra.
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Personal Insights
Have you ever seen a child self-calming their selves? When left alone, oftentimes they'll sit and make fists naturally finding the stillness within themselves. I recall doing this myself when younger. I didn't understand, no one had taught me, but I felt this calm me down.
Little did I know that 30 years later I would be using this very same mudra to calm myself down when I need to create space and stillness within myself.
I love to go on adventures and sometimes those adventures create moments of stress and tension. It's important to be able to stay present, find stillness, and act from a place of calm energy.
