1. Gyan Mudra

How & When: The most important and most known Spiritual Mudra is Gyan Mudra. Even a layman is well versed with this hand gesture adopted by even Gods and Gurus like Buddha, Christ, Guru Nanak Dev ji, and Swami Mahavirji etc. There are many variations of this Mudra as will be discussed later in this part.

To perform this Mudra one joins the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb of the same hand, keeping the rest of the three fingers straight. The hand is then kept on the knee facing up with elbows straight and body seated in Sukhasan, Padmasan, and Vajrasan or may be on chair with straight back. One can keep this Mudra for as long as comfortable and possible. One can perform this Mudra as any point of time. There are no diet restrictions for this Mudra.

One should preferably perform this Mudra while meditating to get maximum benefit out of it. Mornings and evenings are supposed to be the best time for it.

Benefits:
a) This Mudra bestows the practitioner with innate wisdom.
b) It helps boosting the cell activity in grey matter of brain.
c) It helps in meditation and naturally calms down the breath.
d) It brings peace within and lets one connect with self.
e) It brings the realization of rising beyond Trigunas.

2. Poorna Gyan Mudra
How & When: The hand position is the same as Gyan Mudra for this Spiritual Mudra, except for the position of hands. The right hand is kept close to the chest with palm facing forward in Gyan Mudra and the left hand which is also in Gyan Mudra is kept on the left knee with palm facing up. The best time for this Mudra is during meditation.

Benefits:
a) This Mudra improves memory to a great extent
b) It relaxes the nervous system and calms the irritable temperaments
c) The Mudra bestows intelligence and wisdom. This Mudra was generally performed by Seers and Yogis as the time of giving blessings to the disciples and students.
d) It causes electrical changes in the electromagnetic activity of the brain leading to increased clarity and understanding
e) This Mudra also adds to the Aura and Prana of the practitioner.

3. Cup/Chalice Mudra
How & When: This is a two hand Mudra. To perform this Mudra keep the right hand in the lap facing up and then keep the left hand over the right hand with the thumbs joined together pointing up(one may also do it alternatively by keeping one set of fingers over the other set of fingers facing up and the thumbs joined pointing up ) to form a cup with the hands. The order is to match the yoga asana. You would place the right hand on top of the left hand if the right leg is on top of the left leg and vice-versa.

Benefits:
a) This Mudra focuses on helping you balance your right-left energies. It promotes balance of the male-female energies.
b) This Mudra immediately lets u connect to self and also activates and balances the Sacral Chakra and Root Chakra.

4. Abhay Mudra
How & When: "Abhay" means "fearless". Abhay Mudra represents protection, courage, and dispelling of fear. It acts like a shield for the practitioner. The Mudra is kept naturally with fingers joint, thumb close to fingers by the side of the head facing forward. One often sees Lord Buddha Meditating in this hand gesture,

Benefits:
a) Mind becomes fearless.
b) Gives a feeling of courage and strength.
c) It gives one the will power to take challenges and face them bravely.
d) This Mudra, which initially appears to be a natural gesture, was probably used from prehistoric times as a sign of good intentions - the hand raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or at least peace; since antiquity, it was a plain way of showing that you meant no harm since you did not carry any weapon

5. Dhyana Mudra
How & When: The Dhyana Mudra is generally performed by both hands. According to tradition, this Mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating under the Peepal tree before his Enlightenment The hands are generally held at the level of the stomach or on the thighs or to be more precise in the lap. The right hand is placed above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the fingers extended. In some cases the thumbs of the two hands may touch at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle. The esoteric sects obviously attribute to this triangle a multitude of meanings, the most important being the identification with the mystic fire that consumes all impurities.

Benefits:
a) The Dhyana Mudra is the Mudra of meditation and of concentration and of the attainment of spiritual perfection.,
b) It is generally prescribed to students to increase focusing ability as concentration exercise. It indicates the perfect balance of thought, rest of the senses, and tranquility.
c) The Dhyana Mudra helps mortals achieve this transformation.