Yoga Practice Name
Shanmukhi Mudra
Yoga Practice Branch
Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Practice Type
Hatha Yoga Category
Mudra
Steps and Description
- Sit in siddha/siddha yoni asana, if possible.
- Otherwise take a comfortable meditation asana and place a small cushion beneath the perineum to provide pressure in this area.
- Hold the head and spine straight.
- Close the eyes and place the hands on the knees and relax the whole body.
- Raise the arms in front of the face with the elbows pointing sideways, close the ears with the thumbs, the eyes with the index fingers, the nostrils with the middle fingers, and the mouth by placing the ring and little fingers above and below the lips.
- Release the pressure of the middle fingers and open the nostrils. Inhale slowly and deeply, using full yogic breathing.
- At the end of inhalation close the nostrils with the middle fingers.
- Retain the breath inside for as long as is comfortable and try to hear any manifestation of sound in the region of bindu, ajna or anahata chakras.
- There may be many sounds or none at all; just listen.
- After some time, release the pressure of the middle fingers and slowly breathe out.
- Keeping the eyes closed lowers the hands and relax.
Cautions and Limitations
- People suffering from depression should avoid this practice.
General Benefits
- Physically, the energy and heat from the hands and fingers stimulate and relax the nerves and muscles of the face.
- Physically, this practice helps in the treatment of eye, nose and throat infections and to alleviate vertigo.
- Mentally, it balances the internal and external awareness.
- Spiritually, it induces the state of pratyahara or sense withdrawal.
Benefits for Disease
Depression