San Mukhi Mudra

San Mukhi Mudra is a sacred hand gesture that means seal, used during pranayama and meditation practices to close the organs of perception. This practice, found in the Yoga Sutras, is known as Pratyahara, which refers to the withdrawal of the senses. By sealing the eyes, ears, and nostrils (partially), it helps to direct awareness to the mind and ultimately allows the practitioner to perceive a subtle, internal sound called nada.

Benefits of San Mukhi Mudra

The practice of this mudra offers countless health and mental benefits by calming the nervous system and inducing a state of peace. It also enhances meditation, alleviates mental tension, high blood pressure, anxiety, and heart-related issues, and reduces stress.

Instructions

• Lift your hands to your face and bring your elbows up to shoulder level.

• Place the tips of your thumbs in your ear canals and press the flaps of skin at the entrance of your ears against the ear canals, then push them in.

• Gently use your forefinger and middle finger to close your eyes. The tips of the middle fingers lower the upper lids, while the forefingers cover the remaining space above to block out the light.

• Press the nostrils with the ring fingertips to narrow the nasal passages for slow, steady, rhythmic, and subtle breathing.

• Keep the little fingers on the upper lip to feel the flow of breath.