MY FAVORITE CUES

Gyan Mudra: one of the most ubiquitous mudras in yoga

Touch the tips of your index finger and thumb together to form a circle; the other three fingers are stretched out comfortably.

Why?
This hand mudra brings about calmness and spiritual awareness. Your index finger represents the individual soul, and your thumb represents Supreme soul or higher power. This mudra symbolizes the union of the individual (index finger) with the Supreme (thumb).

Happy New Year to all who celebrate! Happy day to all!!

Do you practice hand mudras? Mudras are believed to express our inner feelings and have a powerful effect on our bodies. I have always toggled in and out of practicing with hand mudras, but undoubtedly feel a difference in my well-being when I incorporate these hand gestures into my day. Yes, they can be practiced any time! You most likely use hand mudras on a regular basis without even realizing it: peace sign with your index finger and middle finger extended, hand to your heart when you’re especially emotional about something, and more! Let’s explore mudras this month!!

If you missed last week’s mudra, click here to go to my website for the newsletter on Gyan Mudra.

I have a FREE 10-minute upper body flow for you this week. This is the perfect class to add on after another workout or when you’re looking for a short and sweet practice! Click here to go to my website for the class video.

It’s been a long time since I’ve taught in person and I’m excited to see some of you on the mat soon! I am picking up an 8:15 class on Mondays at Highland Park Yoga, beginning on 9/13. I am also subbing at Reach Yoga on Sunday, 9/12 at 8am. Masks are required so the room will not be hot. I am really looking forward to this!!

Dhyana Mudra: you most likely have seen this mudra when looking at statues or pictures of the Buddha.

Sit with your palms facing up, right hand on top of your left so your hands look similar to a bowl. Allow your thumbs to face upward and touch on a diagonal. This will make your hands look like a triangle, which symbolizes spiritual fire.

Why?
In this mudra, your right hand represents connecting to a higher spirit and eventually enlightenment. Your left hand represents illusion – also called maya. This is a hand mudra often used in meditation because it offers increased concentration and attainment of spiritual perfection. Your two hands forming an empty bowl signify that you are open to receiving anything necessary on your spiritual path.

Happy Wednesday!

Do you practice hand mudras? Mudras are believed to express our inner feelings and have a powerful effect on our bodies. I have always toggled in and out of practicing with hand mudras, but undoubtedly feel a difference in my well-being when I incorporate these hand gestures into my day. Yes, they can be practiced any time! You most likely use hand mudras on a regular basis without even realizing it: peace sign with your index finger and middle finger extended, hand to your heart when you’re especially emotional about something, and more! Let’s explore mudras this month!!

If you missed my newsletters on Gyan Mudra and Dhyana Mudra, click here to go to my website to learn how to practice them and what they mean.

Gyan Mudra:

Dhyana Mudra:

I generally take a snippet from one of my newsletters and weave it into my class to add a little more insight and inspiration. In my classes this week, I have been sharing a bit more about hand mudras. You may want to check out this post I found on 10 powerful meditation mudras and how to use them. Click here for more mudra inspiration!!

For this week’s Nutrition Nugget, I am going to focus on the immune system since that’s what I’m studying in my Functional Nutrition Program. It’s a fascinating subject to be learning about! Here’s something you may want to consider trying to give your immune system a boost. Buy some castor oil (I’ve seen it at Whole Foods), and apply it to your body. Obviously, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting sticky. Why apply castor oil? “When castor oil is absorbed through the skin, several positive events take place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases. Lymph flow improves throughout the body, speeding the removal of cellular-related toxins and reducing swollen lymph nodes.” So cool!!

Reminder – I am now teaching an 8:15 class on Mondays at Highland Park Yoga, so please join me! Masks are required so the room will not be hot.