From the ancient times, Lord Shiva is considered the originator of the Hatha Yoga, Who divided this divine knowledge into following seven sections:
- Shat karma (Six Cleansings)
- Asana (Postures)
- Mudras
- Pranayama (breathing exercises)
- Pratyahara (Control of senses)
- Dhyana (Meditation)
- Samadhi (a state of contemplation or trance)
Every method has its definite purpose. Shat karma for cleansing , Asanas for rigidity or strengthening body, Mudras for stability, Pranayama for lightness, Pratyahara for tolerance, Dhyana for self-realization and Samadhi for moksha or liberation.
Mudra may be described as an asana with meditation at a particular point for a longer duration. There are twenty-one yoga mudras and their purpose is to attain stability in yogic way of life. Our purpose here is to provide a common knowledge of the mudras to readers. With the proper practice of mudras one can achieve pratyahara, the pranas rise up and the Kundalini is awakened. According to Hatha yoga, value of human life lies in the awakened Kundalini, otherwise from spiritual point of view human and animals are on the same plane.
The names of twenty-one mudras are as follows:
- Maha mudra
- Nabho mudra
- Uddiyana bandha
- Jalandhar bandha
- Moola bandha
- Maha bandha
- Mahabedha
- Khechari mudra
- Vipritkari mudra
- Yoni mudra
- Vajroni mudra
- Shaktichalani mudra
- Tadagi mudra
- Manduki mudra
- Shanbhavi mudra
- Panch dharna mudra
- Ashwini mudra
- Pashani mudra
- Kaki mudra
- Matangini mudra
- Bhujangini mudra