Mudras Can Balance Your Energy and Develop Awareness

Of all the tools I teach kids to manage anxious feelings, mudras are the most popular. They’re really special. In over two decades of teaching, I've seen the profound impact that mudras can have on children.

Mudras help regulate your nervous system and they also influence your energy body. What’s your energy body? It’s the non-physical part of you. You can’t see it or hear it or smell it, but you can feel it. And you can feel its effect in your everyday life.

Mudras are simple and accessible. Your hands are always with you! They can be practiced at any time. They are so subtle you can use them at school, when out in the community or at home, without drawing attention to yourself or distracting others.  

Use mudras when you want to:

• Relax
• Reduce stress
• Concentrate
• Connect to the inner self
• Calm anxiety
• Focus and have mental clarity
• Improve communication skills and self-expression
• Sharpen intuition and insight
• Alleviate physical ailments

I’ve taught mudras in all kinds of classes to many groups of kids. One example of how they can balance energy and develop awareness was in a class I taught in a lunchroom after school. I taught the kids a mudra called “Turtle in a Shell” (described below). Riley was in this class. I hadn’t yet given an explanation of how it works or what the benefits were. As soon as she put her hands into this shape, she proclaimed, “Oh, this makes me feel so stable and strong.” This girl was harassed daily by a boy at school. She went on, “I know! I’m going to use this mudra when that boy is bothering me so I can feel this way instead of the way I usually feel when he is bugging me.” The next week in class, we started with a check-in. Riley said, “I use this mudra all the time (showing Turtle in a Shell). I taught my sister, and she uses it all the time. I taught my best friend, and she uses it all the time now, too.”

Turtle In A Shell (Adhi) Mudra
“Adhi” means “primordial”- the first thing ever.  The turtle shows up in many creation stories.  Fold the thumbs into the palms and wrap the fingers around them making loose fists with thumbs tucked inside.  Place the hands on the thighs, palms down.  This mudra can help reduce feelings of anxiety and instill a sense of stability and calm.  It may feel cooling and quieting. 
   

Each mudra has its own flavor and you’ll experience it in your own unique way. They can help you quickly feel calm, confident and centered. They can also cultivate a strong and clear mind. They can help you feel more connected and aware.

If you’d like to learn more about mudras along with other tools and techniques for managing your mind and mood, check out Anxious to Awesome: A Practical Guide for the Whole Family.  Or get our e-booklet: Mudras for Children.