It wasn’t until I spent time in the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal that I truly woke up to the significance of placing my palms together at heart centre, Anjali Mudra. It's often used in Asia and in yoga classes with the greeting “namaste”.

This sacred hand position creates flexibility in the hands, fingers, wrists, and arms and opens the heart. It reduces stress and anxiety, calms the brain and is an excellent way to encourage meditative awareness.

What does it signify?

Anjali means a gesture of reverence, a blessing, or a greeting. Mudra means a seal - to seal energy in the body, or your relationship with the Divine.
"Namaste" roughly means “the divinity within me bows to the divinity within you". It recognises the Divine in each of us and in all creation, such as people, creatures, trees, rivers and oceans.

How does it work?

Anjali Mudra is used to bring together the right and left sides of the brain and our active and receptive natures. It builds awareness and nourishes us so we can be more open hearted. Yogis view the energetic heart as a lotus flower at the centre of the chest and Anjali Mudra nourishes it, encouraging it to unfurl.

Anjali Mudra in 3 Steps

I love placing my palms together at my heart centre during practice. Whether it's sitting cross legged, in mountain pose (Tadasana) or perhaps in chair pose, it always feels special.

1. Sit comfortably crossed legged, in a chair or stand in Mountain pose. Inhale and bring your palms together. Rest the thumbs lightly on your sternum.
2. Press the hands firmly but evenly against each other.
3. Bow your head slightly, tucking in your chin. Broaden the chest and relax your shoulders away from the ears.

Enjoy the moment in grace,

Sue