Shakti Mudra: What It Is and How Do You Do It?

Old school yoga meets modern energy work when we use yoga mudras, aka energy seals, with intention to elevate our consciousness. Shakti mudra is a beautiful, empowering hand gesture that invokes the Goddess of divine life energy; Shakti. 

With the proper intention and focus, this mudra unites our mental, physical, and subtle bodies, drawing life force energy from a limitless divine source. 

Mudras are an ancient yogic technique used during pranayama and meditation to tune the energetic field. Practicing mudras allows us to connect individual life force energy with universal prana. Mudras are traditionally believed to activate energy flow through the chakras and can also be used to balance the Ayurvedica elements in our body. 

We are thought to have five elements within our body: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Space. When these elements are out of balance, we can experience low energy, a frustrated, confused mind, and a whole range of other ill effects. Each of the five fingers are connected to one of these Ayurvedic elements, and specific hand gestures are thought to help increase the energy flow and bring about elemental balance in our subtle body.

In this article, learn all about the benefits of shakti mudra and how to practice this powerful gesture.

What Is Shakti Mudra?

Shakti mudra is all about connecting to our source energy and building inner strength. It is also known as the shakti chalana mudra. Shakti is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga, the Divine Mother.

This mudra is thought to have an association with reducing stress, which can be linked to better sleep quality, better immune function, and better cognitive function. The shakti mudra also helps restore balance.

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Traditionally, this mudra is used in Ayurvedic practice to engage the mental powers of discernment and cultivate inner strength. Practicing this mudra helps to foster a sense of confidence, clearing thoughts that might be holding you back and plugging you into the divine source of energy. This mental stability and strength carry into our physical well-being. 

Planet(s): Mars

Element(s):  Fire

Chakra(s): Sacral Chakra

Unleash Your Power & Other Benefits of Shakti Mudra

When our minds and bodies are turbulent, we lose vital energy to unhelpful thoughts and physical patterns. We might toss and turn with worry at night, or hunch all day and store tension in our shoulders. Connecting to the divine energy source of Shakti can help to reduce tension by redirecting thoughts to universal oneness, helping us to access a deeper connection with our breath and greater clarity of mind. 

The shakti mudra is associated with the pelvic area and is infused with feminine energy. This mudra is directly connected with our sacral chakra. By directing our prana and life-force energy to our pelvic region and lower back, we are able to access innate power and strength connected with the Divine creator Durga. By practicing this mudra, many people experience the following benefits:

• Increased self-worth and inner confidence
• Increased creativity and artistic expression
• Better problem-solving abilities and mental clarity
• Improved restorative sleep 
• Lower stress levels
• A calming effect on the body

How To Do Shakti Mudra

To get the most out of this mudra, find a calm space where you feel safe and relaxed. Wear comfortable clothes. To practice this mudra:

1. Start in a comfortable seated position. 

Seat in lotus or easy pose, with your back straight. Focus on your breathing and cultivate a connection with your breath. Without putting too much tension in the arms, place the hands with palms facing upwards on your knees or thighs.

2. Find your mudra.

Fold the thumbs into the palms. Fold the thumbs into the palms and loosely wrap the index and middle fingers around the thumbs. Keep the ring fingers and pinkies straight. Bring the knuckles of the index and middle fingers together and touch the tips of the ring fingers and pinkies of each hand together. Your hands should form a steeple.

3. Rest your mudra at the heart center

Keeping the connection between the fingers, move them to the heart center. Hold for 15-20 minutes.

To release this posture, slowly move the hands away from one another and unbend the fingers. Bring the back of the hands back to the thighs or other standing position and breathe freely.

Pair These Yoga Practices With Shakti Mudra

Shakti mudra can be paired with other yogic practices to intensify the effects of stress relief and inner power.

• Buddha konasana (bound angle pose). The shakti mudra is associated with the pelvis area, and combining this gesture with hip-opening asanas can help to amplify the effects. Some people have even reported reduced menstrual cramps from incorporating shakti mudra into their daily habits. To practice bound-angle pose:
  • Lie on the back in savasana
  • Place the legs straight out in front of you
  • Slowly bend both knees and bring the soles of the feet together, letting the knees fall open towards the floor. If needed, place blocks under the knees.
  • Form shakti mudra with your hands and close the eyes
  • Breath deeply, focusing the breath on the pelvic region
• Aromatherapy with Calming Essential Oils. Because of the sleep-intensifying effects of shakti mudra, enhancing the meditation with scents such as chamomile, lavender, bergamot, and jasmine can help to further reduce insomnia and sleeping disorders.
• Combine with the Adi Shakti Mantra. The adi shakti mantra is a sacred tuning song practiced in Kundalini yoga to connect yogis with the divine, usually before practicing asana. By combining the adi shakti mantra with the shakti mudra, you can foster creative energy flow through your entire being. This is how it goes: