2 simple mudras for balance

Today I am sharing with you two simple qigong meditations that can help you find emotional & physical balance. Each exercise uses a unique mudra (hand position) to either release negative energy, or build positive energy.

Mudra to release negative energy

The first mudra, pictured on the left above, will help you release negative qi (energy). This is a simple practice to help us get rid of anger, frustration, negativity, or even other people’s negative energy that is directed at us. This can really help those of you who feel you’re being held back by yours or someone else’s negative energy.

Sit cross legged comfortably, ideally outside, directly on the ground. Place your right hand on your right knee, palm up. Fold in the middle and ring finger, and hold them with the thumb. The index and small finger should be sticking out, pointing away from you. This mudra helps release negative qi.

Place the left hand on the left knee, palm down. Fold your thumb into your hand, and close your fist over your thumb. This mudra protects your qi (that’s why infants hold their hands this way naturally).

This hand placement is for women – for men, reverse the hands.

Relax, empty your mind, take deep regular breaths, without forcing it. Allow whatever negativity you have been experiencing to come into your mind, into your body. Notice if this negative qi is located anywhere specific in your body. Now, breathe in through your nose, with the tip of your tongue gently resting on the roof of your mouth… feel the earth’s soothing energy come up into you. On the out breath, relax your tongue, and breathe out through your mouth. As you breathe out, visualize the dark, negative energy flowing out of your right hand. You can visualize this negative qi as black smoke.

Count 21 breaths doing this exercise. Ideally do this practice for at least 10 minutes, doing several rounds of 21 breaths. You can keep going as long as you need to start feeling lighter hearted. This is a very safe and effective meditation practice.

Mudra to build positive energy

This second meditation is a great pick-me-up when you are feeling down, low energy, depressed, or stuck in negative thoughts. It can also be used when you are feeling especially good and energized, in order to increase this positive qi in your body & mind.

Like the first practice, you ideally want to sit cross-legged outside, directly on the ground. The mudra, as pictured in the right photo, is quite simple. The left index finger points up, and the right hand grasps the index. The hands should be held about chest height, not touching the body, directly in front of the heart chakra, or tan zhong point (CV17).

The hand position is reversed for men (left hand holding the right index finger).

Sitting in this position, begin by breathing naturally and emptying your mind. Keep your mouth closed, with the tip of the tongue gently touching the palate. Close your eyes, and smile softly. Whenever a thought arises, simply let it go, watch it float away, do not attach any importance to it. Following your breath, allow yourself to feel positive qi from the universe flowing into you through every pore of your body. You can visualize this positive qi as a white light bathing your body. Mentally count 21 breaths, or several cycles of 21.