Where Should Hands Be During Meditation? 5 Types of Mudras (With Pictures)

If you’re new to meditation, you’ve probably put been putting a lot of thought the specifics of meditation, including which meditation hand position is best.

Just like there is no right or wrong place to meditate (unless you’re behind the wheel of a moving car, for example), there is no wrong way to hold your hands.

So the basic answer to “where should hands be during meditation” is – wherever feels comfortable for you. You could place your hands gently on your knees with palms facing upwards or downwards. You can place them folded in your lap or gently resting at your sides.

Having said that, there are some specific meditation hand positions that hold special meanings.

5 Mudras for Meditation (With Pictures)

Mudra is the Sanskrit word meaning “gesture”, “seal” or “mark” and in meditation, mudra is the way that you hold your hands.

There are many different mudras and they each have different meanings. By using these mudras, it is believed that you can direct the flow of energy within your body.

Here are some of the most common mudras used in meditation. Read through these to learn some ideas of how to hold your hands during meditation.

Bhairav Mudra

Bhairav mudra is a meditation hand position also known as the “shakti” or “shiva” mudra. Bhairav mudra is great for balancing prana (energy) flow throughout the body and harmonizing the left and right brains.

To make this hand position, simply rest one hand on top of the other, palms facing up and fingers uncurled.

Chin Mudra

The Chin Mudra is associated with consciousness and will help you to stimulate the root chakra, which connects you to the earth like the roots of a tree.

To perform the Chin mudra, sit with your palms facing up and then touch the tip of your index finger to your thumb.

Dhyani Mudra

The Dhyani Mudra is associated with meditation. This mudra calls for connecting your hands in order to connect both sides of the brain and unite all the body. To make this position, simply place the back of your right hand on the palm of your left and allow both hands to rest on your lap.

Varun Mudra

The Varun mudra, known as the “gesture of water” is associated with communication and openness. It can help you to become a better communicator and to become more intuitive.

To make this mudra you will place your hands palms up on your knees and touch the tips of your thumbs and little fingers together.

Anjali Mudra

Perhaps one of the simplest and most recognizable mudras, the Anjali mudra symbolizes love, respect, and peace to yourself and to the universe. It is often used in an expression of respect and gratitude. Anjali mudra is how you will see yoga teachers greet students, while saying “Namaste.”

For this mudra, simply place your palms and fingertips together as you would if you were praying. Hold the tips of your fingers toward the sky.

Choosing a mudra is a personal decision. When you’re meditating, feel free to choose any mudra that represents how you feel or what you’re looking to get out of your meditation session. Remember, you can also choose not to use a mudra while meditating and simply relax your hands in a way that is comfortable for you.

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