In Indian tradition, mudrās are far more than hand gestures—they are considered energetic seals that direct and awaken the vital flow of prāṇa. The word mudrā comes from Sanskrit: mud, meaning “joy,” and rā, “to dissolve,” pointing to a state of merging into bliss.

Used since ancient times in meditation, yoga, ritual worship, and classical dance, mudrās act as bridges between the body and the sacred. In traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, they have long served as tools for prayer, healing, and symbolic communication of the inexpressible. Within India’s performing arts, mudrās form a complete language—expressing emotions, ideas, elements, and stories.

This introductory workshop offers a hands-on exploration of selected mudrās drawn from India’s martial, dance, and energetic traditions. While mudrās can involve the whole body, our focus will be on the expressive and symbolic power of the hands. We will explore their relationship to the five elements through two major lenses: Vedic and Tantric.

This workshop is open to all and requires no prior experience in dance or yoga. It will be especially enriching for:

• Those interested in symbolic movement and subtle body awareness.
• Dancers, actors, and movement artists looking to expand their expressive vocabulary.
• Yoga practitioners, energy healers, and seekers of body-mind practices.

The aim is to open a door into the rich gestural culture of South Asia, allowing each participant to discover in their own hands a tool for connection, creativity, and transformation—through aesthetics, expression, and subtle energy.