Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity in Hinduism, is worshipped at the beginning of any auspicious event and before invoking any other god. This tradition has deep significance, as Lord Ganesha is believed to bring good fortune and remove obstacles.
Among the many ways to honour Ganesha, one is through the Ganesha Mudra in yoga. This gesture expresses gratitude to Lord Ganesha by engaging all ten fingers, symbolising the five elements of the body.
Ganesha is called Vighnaharta, Vighna means ‘Problem’ & Harta means ‘Destroyer’ or ‘Remover’. Hence, Ganesha mudra teaches us how we can dive within to draw strength and courage to solve any problem.
If you’re seeking harmony in all areas of life, this simple yet powerful mudra can help clear away inner and outer obstacles.
Ganesha Mudra: bonding heart & physical body
Ganesha mudra is a gesture made using both hands (hasta yoga mudra) to strengthen the heart, both physically & emotionally. In this mudra, when both hands are clasped at chest level, it shows the meeting point of the physical and heart strength.
Holding hands together in Ganesha mudra gives:
- A sense of security
- Comfort and reassurance to the heart
- Stimulation of love, compassion, and courage; creating a warm feeling of inner joy
This is one of the most soothing mudras, especially when practised during meditation. It calms the mind and helps direct awareness to the heart centre, which may reduce the risk of heart-related issues.
By the practice of Ganesha Mudra, we tell ourselves,
I am the inner consciousness, I identify with the universal life-force within, and it is all that matters.
In this way, we actually build self-confidence & vitality within which eventually helps us to tap on our unlimited strength to remove all the obstacles from our life.
Remover of obstacles
Ganesha Mudra is known as the remover of obstacles, and this is deeply connected to its effect on the heart.
The heart is considered one of the mystic centres of the body. Focusing attention on this centre can bring profound transformation.
In Ganesha Mudra, when the hands are placed in front of the chest, both physical and mental awareness naturally shift to the heart centre. This gesture can be seen as a symbolic opening of the heart chakra.
It is believed that when an intention or Sankalpa: a heartfelt resolve arises from an open heart and clear mind, it is more readily accepted by the divine. In Hindu tradition, a Sankalpa is often made in the presence of Lord Ganesha as a sacred vow to fulfil a goal with determination.
The physical action in Ganesha Mudra, which involves gently pulling the hands apart, activates the chest muscles and helps release tension in the heart area. This not only stimulates heart energy but also supports us in staying committed to our intentions, thereby removing inner and outer obstacles on our path.
How to do Ganesha mudra(steps)
- Sit comfortably in Sukhasana (Easy Pose) or Padmasana (Lotus Pose).
- Close your eyes and relax your body.
- Bring your palms together in Anjali Mudra (Prayer Position) in front of your chest.
- Hold your left hand in front of your chest with the palm facing outward and fingers slightly bent.
- Place your right hand over it with the palm facing inward.
- Hook and lock the fingers of both hands together firmly.
- Inhale and let go of the tension.
- As you exhale, gently pull the hands apart while keeping the fingers locked.
- Inhale again and relax the tension while maintaining the clasp.
- Repeat this pulling and releasing action 6 times.
- Reverse the hand position (right palm outward, left palm inward).
- Repeat the exercise 6 more times.
You can practice this mudra for 15 minutes to half an hour daily for optimum results.
Additional tips
If you want to add some mantra chanting while hands in Ganesha mudra, then chanting Ganesha Mantra is best for centering the thoughts. Chanting can be giving power to the throat chakra as well.
Each time you hold the mudra, Chant
Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
Ganapataye is another name for Lord Ganesha, and Namah means “I bow down to you in gratitude.
Visualizing the joyous Lord Ganesha smiling while doing this mudra can help in attracting positivity and removing the obstacle. Let the Law of Attraction work for you!
Affirmation
Affirmation is a process of repeating a positive statement with the cyclic movement. One can practice affirmation while doing mudras and meditation.
In Ganesha Mudra, use the following affirmation:
- While bringing the hands in the clasp position in Ganesha mudra say – “I am happy and full of life.”
- While pulling the hands away from each other say – “ I have a healthy body. I am full of energy”
- While inhaling deep say – “ My heart is full of love. I am love.”
Precautions – points to keep in mind
To achieve the optimum results while practicing the Ganesha Mudra, you can be cautious keep in mind the following points:
- Wear loose and comfortable clothes; cotton is recommended.
- Sit in a meditative posture and switch off all mobile phones or electronic devices to avoid distractions.
- Avoid using vibrate mode, as vibrations can still disrupt concentration.
- Do not strain your neck or push your head forward while doing the mudra.
- Breathe deeply and release the breath slowly to bring calm and relaxation.
- Practise on an empty stomach if possible; if not, wait at least one hour after eating.
- After completing the mudra, remain silent for a few moments to absorb its effects.
Benefits of Ganesha Mudra
The practitioner will witness the following benefits once they start practicing Ganesha mudra regularly over a period of time.
1. Strengthening of the Anahata Chakra
Practicing of Ganesha Mudra gives strength to the heart, filling it with love, joy, and courage. It helps the practitioner to accept oneself the way they are which fills one with self-confidence.
The warm feeling which gets stimulated while clasping the hands is a point of opening of the heart chakra. The opening of heart chakra makes one more compassionate which helps one to be more humble and grateful towards life.
2. Increased Capacity of the Lungs and Chest
In Ganesha Mudra, the practitioner is exhaling and inhaling while focusing on the correct posture. This makes the lungs and chest clear of toxicity.
Ganesha Mudra helps asthmatic patients to get better. People who suffer asthma should practice Ganesha Mudra daily.
3. Increased Upper-Body Strength
While practicing Ganesha Mudra, you pull your clasped hands in the opposite direction while maintaining a good neck and upper body posture. One feels stretching of the upper body, arms, and neck which builds the upper body muscles giving strength to the arms and back.
4. Improvement in Neck Pain
Due to the stretching of the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms, one witnesses a significant improvement in neck pain and spondylitis when one practices this position regularly.
5. Better Metabolism & Digestion
Ganesha Mudra stimulates one of the most important of 5 elements i.e. Fire element. Hence, by stimulating the fire element, it also helps in activating the Manipura Chakra and so the belly fire. This helps in better secretion of digestive juices.
6. Boost in Self Confidence
Performing Ganesha Mudra brings improvement in self-confidence and improves mental health. This mudra which represents always joyous Lord Ganesha brings the effervescence of inner joy making the heart and body come into alignment with each other.
It makes the heart feel love and compassion for one own self and others. It helps one reach inward bringing peace calm and evokes self-love which in turn brings a boost in self-confidence and inner healing.
7. Improvement in Overall health
As Ganesha Mudra connects the body and heart together, this is important to achieve overall good health. On regular practice, one witness an overall improvement in mental and physical health.