Mudras & Mantras

Chanting Om at the beginning of a yoga class is becoming common place. Chanting enables us to come out of our heads and into our bodies. We enjoy the vibration of the group sound. Mantras are often in the Sanskrit language. The sacred syllables have a purifying and revitabising affect on our energy body.

Indian Classical Dance has a highly evolved gestural and devotional movement language that can bring these chants alive. Mudras are hand gestures that captures the essence of what is being expressed. There is a wealth of Sanskrit poems, or shlokas that can be expressed through hand gestures, body movement and facial expression.

Next time you sit with your palms folded in Atman Anjali Mudra, or Namaste notice the connection of the gestures, the sound and your intention. Just as this is part of Yoga, it is also part of Indian Devotional Dance Practice. In my Moving Mudra Dance workshops we explore the movement aspects. In my Chants for Peace Kirtan we explore this heart felt practice for health and vitality.