This document summarizes and recommends a new book about mudras titled "MUDRA, THE SACRED SECRET" by Indu Arora. It describes Indu Arora as a lovely divine spirit and excellent teacher who is open to learning from her students. The book explores hand mudras from various spiritual traditions and provides guidelines for practice. It covers general mudras, therapeutic mudras, mudras related to the five elements and seven chakras, and mudras for mantra practice and protection. The author congratulates Indu Arora for her tremendous service in highlighting this important aspect of yoga and wishes her success in future similar works.

1. MUDRA, THE SACRED SECRET
A new book by Indu Arora
( www.yogsadhna.com )
I warmly welcome this new book by my dear friend
Indu Arora, a lovely divine spirit in human form
who is a teacher and therapist par-excellence. One of
the beautiful qualities that attracted me to Indu is
that of her willingness to learn through her
teachings and acknowledge the influence her
students have had in her life and spiritual growth.
This to me is the true yogic character, one of
openness and gratitude. One that makes me very
happy to witness that such a teacher and therapist, a
true healer exists on this planet.
This ‘baby’ of hers is a testimony to her ability to spread the true and wholesome
wisdom of both Yoga and Ayurveda, the twin treasures of Indian culture. It is a
monumental effort, one that enables all sincere Sadhakas to dwell deeper into the
truer reality of the universe itself. Everything is energy and the art and science of
mudra is a vital, secret key to unlocking our own personal, innate connections with
such energy.
In this masterpiece, Indu Arora has explored the length and breadth of Hasta
Mudras as perceived through different cultural and spiritual traditions including
Yoga, Tantra, Sanathana Dharma, Buddhism and Indian Classical Dance. She traces
the origin and history of Mudra with adequate textual references and appropriate
quotations that explore the spirituality, psychology, philosophy and science of
Mudra.
With excellent photographs and
illustrations she explores the beauty,
the spirit as well as the multifaceted
benefits of Hasta Mudras. As an
excellent teacher, she also makes
sure that her readers get clear
guidelines for their own personal
practice.
The various well thought out
sections of the book include both the
general mudras of the hands
(Vyaavahaarika Hasta Mudras) as
well as the therapeutic hand
gestures (Cikitsaka Hasta Mudras).
These are detailed in a very
enjoyable and comprehensive
manner.

2. She has made sure that the deeper aspects
of Mudra are covered through sections on
the Yoga Tattva Mudras exploring gestures
relevant for the five elements of nature. This
is an important component of all healing
traditions and enhances our understanding
of links between the microcosm and
macrocosm. The sacred worship of the five
Pranic flows, the Pancha Pranas through
Upasana Mudras is much appreciated for its
relationship in manifesting health in all
dimensions.
For those interested in enhancing the
healing energies for health and vitality, the
section on Cikitsaka Sparsha Mudrs is very useful as it details the therapeutic
gestures of touch. This will be especially interesting for those who are familiar with
the Gitananda tradition as it uses methods similar to our practice of the Vibhaga
Pranayama. In fact to the best of my knowledge this type of approach is unique to
Swami Gitananda Giriji’s teachings that have now percolated in popular Yoga circles
worldwide.
It is very heartening to see her include both the Adhyatmika Hasta Mudras that
facilitate the awakening of one’s innate higher spirituality as well as Sapta Chakra
Mudras that enable the harmonization all seven Chakras. These are not commonly
taught and hence are very useful for those interested in the deeper energy practices
of Yoga and Tantra.
Anyone who has respect for the spiritual traditions of India will know the
importance of the Gayatri Mantra in daily life of one who follows the Sanathana
Dharma lifestyle. Here it is praiseworthy that Indu has included the Gayatri Mantra
Mudras that are used in the practice of Gayatri Japa Sadhana of all traditional
Indians.
She has rightly ended with the Shadanga Nyasa Mudras that are vital for the
protection of a sincere Sadhaka against negative forces that arise from both outside
as well as inside ones’ own self. These can be used to awaken the heart, shield the
body, awaken insight, release negativity and guide the intellect.
I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Indu for this tremendous Yoga Seva and wish
to witness future ‘babies’ from her spirit highlighting among others, the left over
aspects of Mudra including Kaya, Chakshu, Mukha, Sirsha, Griva and Jivha mudras
of the whole body, eyes, face, head, neck and tongue.
May we all continue to grow and glow in the spirit of unity with the blessings of our
Divine Mother, the benevolent universal energy of Yoga itself.
Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Chairman ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India. www.rishiculture.org