Prana Mudra... ‘Gesture of the Upward Current of Vital Energy’

In one of my posts a week ago, I introduced the relationship of yoga and breathing, via the 5 Vayus - life energy ‘currents’ that flow through and nourish areas of the body and their functions, maintained through our breath. 

Just as it is where there are ups & downs in life, there are always moments where some vayus are weaker than others, and when this happens, we may notice the functions being affected.  

To work on strengthening our vayus, one of the tools available in yoga therapy are hasta mudras - symbolic hand gestures that bring their own unique effects to the body and mind - and each vayu has a mudra that nurtures it. 

Prana Mudra
Prana Mudra activates & enhances the flow of prana vayu, which supports the cardio-respiratory system. The mudra helps to increase breath capacity, especially with inhalation, cultivating vitality, energy & enthusiasm.

Method -
1. Come to a cross-legged seat; breath from the nose & take a moment to observe your natural breath.
2. Rest hands on knees with palms facing up.
3. Curl 4th & 5th fingers in & place thumb over their tips.
4. Extend the 2nd & 3rd finger into a V-shape
5. Notice any changes to your breath or sensations in the body with this mudra.
6. Does the inhalation feel smoother or bigger?
7. To increase the energy of this mudra - keep the gesture but take the hands out to the side of the body.