Introduction: 

In yoga, mudras refer to hand, eye or body positions that facilitate energy flow in the body. In Hatha Yoga Pradipika, an ancient Indian text, mudras are hand gestures described as seal or lock (bandha) that are commonly practised during pranayama and meditation to direct energy flow in the body. The living body is made up of five building blocks or elements like wind, fire, water, space and earth. Likewise, the five fingers represent these five elements. While practising these hand gestures with light pressure on the hand, certain areas of the body are activated and stimulated, which exerts beneficial effects on the body. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of yoni mudra.¹ 

What is Yoni Mudra? 

Yoni mudra belongs to the hasta or the hand mudra category. It is believed to invoke the primal energy present in the womb or the source of creation. The name yoni mudra comes from the Sanskrit words ‘yoni’, which means womb or source, and ‘mudra’, meaning a seal lock or hand gesture. As this mudra resembles the shape of a womb, it is called as yoni mudra.²  

How to do it? 

Let us learn how to do yoni mudra: ²  

• First, sit in either padmasana (sit crossed-legged) or in vajrasana (kneel down and sit on your knees with your head and back straight. 
• Next, place the palms of both hands together with the thumb and fingers straight and pointing away from the body. 
• Turn your little, middle and ring fingers inwards so that the backs of the fingers are touching. 
• Next, interlock your little, middle and ring fingers and bring the thumbs towards the body. 
• The tip of the thumb of the right and left hand and the tip of the index finger of both hands will be touching each other.  
• This hand gesture described above looks like a yoni or womb and is called yoni mudra. 

Note- beginners may find this mudra a bit difficult; in such cases, you can try a simple variation of yoni mudra. In this, you can perform yoni mudra without turning the interlocked fingers inwards, only the tip of the thumb and index finger of one hand will be touching the tip of the thumb and index finger. 

Do You Know? 

• The word yoni signifies the Brahman of Brahmayoni, an ancient temple of Bodhgaya that is believed to be the home of Lord Brahma. 
• The yoni mudra draws inspiration from a tortoise that hides inside its shell when it perceives danger.  
• In Hinduism, this pose is dedicated to the goddess Shakti, also known as the creator goddess. 

Benefits of Yoni Mudra:  

Keeping the origin and history in mind, let us now discuss the benefits of yoni mudra.  

Benefit of yoni mudra on polycystic ovarian syndrome 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder marked by obesity, infertility, and irregular menstrual flow and affects many women globally. Nair et al., in 2018, conducted a study that showed performing yoni mudra may provide symptomatic relief in PCOS by balancing the hormonal profile. Thus, the practice of yoni mudra may positively impact PCOS, but it should not be considered an alternative to modern medicine. So, consult your doctor for proper treatment of PCOS and do not rely on this mudra alone. Additionally, one should practice yoni mudra under the supervision of a qualified trainer.³ 

Benefit of yoni mudra on heart diseases 

A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and pre-existing diseases like uncontrolled diabetes may increase the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and angina. Studies support that the practice of asanas, pranayamas, and mudras may have a positive impact on heart disease. A study conducted by Pandey et al. in 2018 explained that yoni mudra may be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease. However, you should not consider the practice of this mudra as an alternative to modern medicine. You should consult a doctor for proper management of any heart disease.⁴ 

Benefit of yoni mudra on the brain 

The human brain is a vital organ known to control memory, thought, vision, breathing, hunger, temperature, etc. Do you know our brain is divided into two hemispheres (right and left) which together regulate your ability to write, calculate and comprehend? Pandey et al. conducted a study in 2018 that found that yoni mudra may help balance prana, a life force regulating different bodily functions. This may help balance the activities of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This indicates that yoni mudra may have the potential to enhance brain function; however, you should not rely on this mudra alone and consult your doctor for proper treatment if you face any issues related to memory, vision, breathing, etc. Additionally, the practice of this mudra should be carried out under the guidance of a qualified trainer.⁴ 

Benefit of yoni mudra in thyroid disease 

Hypothyroidism is the failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormone to meet the metabolic demands of the body. Mali et al., in 2017, conducted a study that showed performing yoni mudra may help manage hypothyroidism. Thus, the practice of yoni mudra may have the potential to improve thyroid function in hypothyroidism, but the practice of this mudra should not be considered an alternative to modern medicine. So, consult your doctor for proper treatment of hypothyroidism and do not rely on this mudra alone. Additionally, one should practice yoni mudra under the supervision of a qualified trainer.⁵ 

Benefit of yoni mudra on the immune system 

The immune system is a defence system to protect our body against disease-causing viruses, bacteria and germs. Kumar et al. conducted a study in 2022 that stated that daily practice of mudras for twenty minutes may help enhance immunity. Thus, there is a potential that yoni mudra may also exert similar benefits. However, we need more studies and proof to claim these effects with greater reliability. Therefore, it is advised to consult your doctor for the proper treatment and not rely on this mudra alone. Additionally, the practice of yoni mudra should be strictly done under the supervision of a qualified trainer.⁶ 

Also Read: Anteverted Uterus: Clarifying Misconceptions and Understanding Its Impact

Other benefits of yoni mudra: 

• According to Ayurveda, yoni mudra helps intensify the flow of prana, which is a force or energy which is known to drive life.² 
• The practice of yoni mudra helps in opening up the chest area.² 
• The practice of mudras may help stimulate manipura chakra and may help improve the metabolism of food and digestion. Thus, there is a potential that yoni mudra may produce similar effects.² 

Note- The benefits of yoni mudra are studied in a limited human population. Still, more studies are needed to claim the positive effects of yoni mudra. 

Although the practice of yoga asanas, pranayamas and mudras may help in the development of the mind and body; however, you should not consider them as an alternative to modern medicine. It is advised not to rely on mudras alone to treat any condition. Kindly consult a qualified doctor for proper treatment. Additionally, any mudra practice should be done under the supervision of a qualified trainer. 

Yoni mudra is one of the most essential pratyahara techniques and it is often practised to control inner and sensory impressions. The position of fingers used while performing this gesture blocks the sensory organs – the ears, eyes, and nostrils and lets you concentrate on your inner self.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Risks of Yoni Mudra: 

Precautions that need to be taken when performing yoni mudra are: 

• In children and older adults as there is, limited data is available regarding the safety of this mudra in these particular groups. 
• After heavy meals as this may impair the digestion process. 
• On uneven surfaces as this may increase the risk of injuries. 

Following are the contraindications of yoni mudra:  

• In case of surgeries and injuries, performing yoni mudra should be avoided. 
• In the state of exhaustion or illness, avoid the practice of yoni mudra. 
• In extreme weather conditions like too hot or too cold climate, you should avoid the practice of yoni mudra.⁷ 

The most preferred time for performing yoni mudra is in the morning. You can perform it on an empty or even a light stomach. If you are a beginner, hold this mudra for a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes. As you gain control while practising, you can stretch the duration up to 30 minutes.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Conclusion: 

Yoni mudra belongs to the hasta or the hand mudra category and is believed to invoke the primal energy present in the womb or the source of creation. The name yoni mudra comes from the Sanskrit words ‘yoni’, which means womb or source, and mudra meaning a seal lock or hand gesture. The practice of this mudra may help exert a positive impact on polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism, heart diseases, the immune system as well as the brain. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Disclaimer: The information or data included on this site is only for educational purposes and should not be considered or counted as a substitute for medical treatment by any healthcare professional or doctor. Based on the individual needs, the reader should consult their physician or doctor to determine the appropriateness of the information provided on this site for the reader’s situation. 

References: 

1. Kumar KS, Srinivasan TM, Ilavarasu J, Mondal B, Nagendra HR. Classification of electrophotonic images of yogic practice of mudra through neural networks. International Journal of Yoga. 2018 May; 11(2):152. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934951/ 

2. Saraswati SS, Hiti JK. Asana pranayama mudra bandha. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust; 1996.201-203.Available at: https://thelonerider.com/pdf/asana_pranayama_mudra_bandha.pdf 

3. Nair A, Balakrishnan S. An Overview of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. International Journal of Science and research. 2018 Aug 19; 25(7):437-46. Available at: https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v8i4/ART20196826.pdf 

4. Pandey P. Relevance and perspective of prevention and management of cardiovascular disease: a review. International ayurvedic medical journal.2018. Available at: http://www.iamj.in/posts/2018/images/upload/1299_1305.pdf  

5. Mali S, Mahgar DS, Sachdeo RA, Morbale TS. Hypothyroidism and Alternative Treatment: An Overview. International Journal of science and research methodology. 2017; 6(1):38-52. Available at: https://ijsrm.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/4.-Mr.-Suraj-Narayan-Mali-Dheeraj-Shivaji-Magar-Rahul-Ashok-Sachdeo-Miss-Tejaswini-Sanjay-Morbale.pdf 

6. Kumar SN, Venu A, Jaya MH. Effect of yoga mudras in improving the health of users: A precautionary measure practice in daily life for resisting the deadly COVID-19 disease. In Lessons from COVID-19 2022 Jan 1 (pp. 41-59). Academic Press. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9347266/ 

7. Ministry, Y.A, Do’s and Don’ts of Yoga practice. Available at: https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/blog?q=58