Sabrina Mesko is a certified yoga therapist who completed a nine-year study of teachings with world-renown masters, one of whom entrusted her with bringing the sacred mudra teachings to the West. Many ancient civilizations have used hand gestures as part of their religious ceremonies including Egyptians, Turks, Romans, Persians, Aborigines, Chinese, Africans, and Mayans. They are still practiced today in some cultures where pantomimic dances are popular.
In India, these hand gestures were named "mudras," a Sanskrit word, and they became a part of yoga. According to Mesko, "Hand gestures are the mother of all communication and are supremely powerful. . . . It enables us to communicate with the divine, develop and aspire to higher qualities, and keep a universally understood popular language. Mudra is our connection to the divine play of the cosmos."
In this beautifully illustrated paperback, the author draws out the links between mudra, meditation, breathing, the chakras, mantra, and colors. She explains the meanings of each hand and all ten fingers. The book contains 52 mudras and is divided into chapters on soul, body, and mind. Mesko presents specific mudras for wisdom, compassion, gentleness, preventing burnout, facing fear, releasing guilt, calming your mind, and much more. Here is another spiritual tool that can be used in your regular spiritual practice. Mesko's video Mudra: Gestures of Power is available from Sounds True.