The Brahma mudra

Externally simple, the Brahma mudra allows you to access deeper channels of inner focus. Everyone can do it, but its potency grows as students go deeper into their practice. It also allows for release in the neck and shoulders, and also strengthening of the retinas and memory. Through this mudra, we can cultivate a clear, calm mind.

This mudra can help you on a physical level with pain and stiffness in the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back, while optimising the overall functions of the neck. The Brahma mudra also helps cultivate psychosomatic harmony. It is useful for managing stress and mood swings, cultivating relaxation, instilling a sense of mental lightness and enhancing balance of our perspective in life.

Method —

1. Sitting in a meditative position, fix your gaze softly in front of you. Relax your neck and shoulders. Sit straight and tall.

2. Breathe in deep, and as you exhale, drop your head back, extending through the back of your neck, instead of crunching it. Softly gaze at the tip of your nose.

3. Inhale, and come back to centre.

4. On your next exhale, drop your chin to your chest, extending the back of your neck. Gaze at the centre of your eyebrows, the Ajna chakra, or third eye.

5. Inhale, and come back to centre again.

6. On the next exhale, letting your eyes lead, turn your head and neck to as far to the left as you are comfortable with.

7. Inhale, and come back to centre once more.

8. On your next exhale, eyes leading, turn your head and neck to the far right.

9. Inhale and come back to centre.

10. Take a few breaths here with the eyes closed, noticing the changes in your body.

The entire cycle should be done very slowly, each breath long and relaxed. Repeat a few times.

Photo: Collected