Mudras

Mudra (Sanskrit mudrā: "seal", "mark", or "gesture") is a symbolic or ritual gesture. While some mudras may involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. A mudrā is a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Unfortunately, there is no serious scientific research regarding mudras, that is why we don't add them to Prana Breath app. But even though there are no clinical studies that prove the positive effects of mudras, there are plenty of practitioners that claim mudras do work. So you might want to give it a try!

Origin

In India, mudras are an established component of all religious activities, and were mentioned in ancient Vedic scripts. The various mudras and hastas (arm poses) are significant in the depiction of Hindu gods. In addition to body postures and attributes, they also represent the distinguishing characteristics of various deities.
The mudras are just as familiar in Indian dance, where the hands, eyes, and body movements act and/or dance the entire drama without words.

In Yoga, mudras are used in conjunction with Pranayama, generally while seated in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana pose, to stimulate different parts of the body involved with breathing and to affect the flow of Prana in the body.

Benefits

• enhances your breathing practices;
• gives the control of Prana flow in your body;
• heals a specific health issue;
• adds either to relaxation or to energizing, depending on the kind of mudra.
  

Literature

• "Mudras of India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance" by Cain Carroll and Revital Carroll
• "Mudras: Yoga in your Hands" by Gertrud Hirschi
• "Mudras for Body, Mind and Spirit: The Handy Course in Yoga" by Gertrud Hirschi
• "The Healing Power of Mudras: The Yoga of the Hands" by Rajendar Menen