Welcome and thank you for joining our first meditation and tutorial from our five element mudra series.
My name is Sarah and I will be offering guided meditations and mudra methods to enhance our awareness of the five elements within our body and the five elements within our natural surroundings.
In this series we will review the origins and the philosophy of mudras and their corresponding meditation practices.
Take some time to write down your mudra and its methods so you may practice on your own.
The Vedic teachings outline the relationship between the five elements and the five fingers as follows the thumb and the fire element,
The index finger and the air element,
The middle finger and the space or ether element,
Ring finger and the earth element,
Pinky finger and the one.
The first element in our series is the earth element.
The earth element rules the legs and the feet as well as the entire skeletal system.
Earth element is associated with the root chakra,
Gravity and grounding energy.
Mudras are associated with the various levels of consciousness in the body.
The word mudra means seal or energetic lock as it locks the energy within the body and doesn't let it leak out.
This internalization of energy improves the mind-body connection that keeps us focused and helps balance our physical and mental energies.
Mudras are described as gestures,
Attitudes,
Symbols expressed through our hands,
Body,
Eyes and face.
In Hatha yoga mudras are not only practiced in the hands but also associated with internal actions involving the pelvic floor,
The diaphragm,
Throat,
Eyes,
Tongue,
Abdomen and other parts of the body.
Mudras are also used to tell stories,
Express deities,
Perform imagery and stimulate the flow of energy called prana.
The mudra for the earth element is Prativimudra.
Prativi is the Sanskrit word for the vast one referring to the earth and also the name of a goddess associated with all of nature.
To practice Prativimudra bring the tip of your thumb and the tip of your ring finger together and extend the remaining fingers.
Place your mudra on the lap or at your sides with palms face up.
As much as possible do not move the fingers or arms around.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
Inhale and exhale a few times like this while you give yourself a body scan from feet to crown of the head.
Align your spine naturally pointing the crown of the head up and chin pointing down towards the back.
The back of the neck is long and the shoulders are away from the ears.
Bring your rib cage directly over the pelvis and engage your core to maintain a long spine.
Relax your low back and make sure your knees and ankles are comfortable.
Both feet are connected to the earth.
Keep your hands in Prativimudra for the remainder of your meditation and your gaze is up and in towards the third eye center.
While practicing Prativimudra focus on calming,
Anchoring,
Stabilizing and strengthening actions.
Notice your connection with the earth and how the ground supports you providing a stable safe foundation.
Allow yourself to feel the qualities of earth that you most need to draw upon,
Permanence,
Reliability,
Safety,
Security,
Whatever it is that you need at this moment.
This mudra increases the earth element and decreases the fire element in the body.
We use this Prativimudra to ground our energy down.
When you feel the sensation of the earth qualities you most need to experience,
Affirm to yourself that you can access this feeling anytime you need to.
Simply take the time to connect to the earth element with rhythmic breathing and the Prativimudra.
Open your eyes slowly and release your mudra.
Bring your hands together over your heart center.
Give yourself gratitude for this mudra and meditation practice.
Take another deep inhale and long exhale and a soft smile.
Take another deep inhale,
Long exhale,
Relax.
Write down any notes if anything stood out to you about the Prativimudra and the earth element meditation practice.
If you would like to practice longer,
You may sit for 45 minutes or three sittings of 15 minutes.
Prativimudra may be a part of your asana practice as well.
Think about practicing Prativimudra with Viksasana,
Tree pose,
Tadasana,
Mountain pose,
Malasana,
Garland.
Continued practice of the Prativimudra should be performed in moderation under the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher.
Prativimudra is also not recommended for women during pregnancy.
Consider making time for your self-study and explore the five elements with mudra,
Movement,
And sound meditation on your own with these recordings or follow your heart to a solo retreat or group wellness immersion.
You are invited to listen to one or some or all of these five element mudra meditations.
Practice makes progress.
Thank you for being here.
I look forward to focusing on the five elements and mudra methods with you next time.
Peace.
