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Viparita Karani Mudra

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Viparita Karani Mudra Mean?

Viparita karani mudra is a full-body gesture in yoga that is also an energizing inversion. The name comes from the Sanskrit viparita, meaning “inverted” or “reversed”; karani, meaning “doing” (referring to a particular type of yoga practice); and mudra, meaning “seal” or “gesture.”

Viparita karani can refer to any inverted practice, such as headstand and shoulder stand asanas, but as a mudra, its purpose is to direct kundalini energy upward through the body. In most traditional Hatha yoga texts, including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, viparita karani is listed as a mudra. Mudras are usually associated with hand gestures, but can involve other parts of the body or the entire body.

Viparita Karani

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Yogapedia Explains Viparita Karani Mudra

Similar to salamba sarvangasana (supported shoulder stand), except that the hips are usually bent up to a 90-degree angle, this mudra can also be practiced from the position of legs up the wall – lying on the back with the hips on the ground and the buttocks against the wall.

Viparita karani mudra has a host of physical benefits, including supporting the thyroid glands and easing tired legs, but its ability to direct kundalini is what makes it a mudra. As such, it is believed to activate the vishuddhi (throat) chakra, or energy center. This first of the three spiritual chakras is associated with higher communication and authentic expression.


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Synonyms

Viparitakarani Mudra

Half Shoulder Stand

Half Shoulderstand

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