Shanmukhi Mudra – Closing the Seven Gates

Shat – Six

Mukhi – openings

Sit in siddhasan or any comfortable sitting position.

Inhale, while performing kaki mudra as well as agochari mudra.

Hold the breath, close the eyes, and cover the ears with the thumbs, the eyes with the index fingers and the nose with the middle fingers. Press the upper lip slightly over the bottom lip with the ring and little fingers. Keep your focus on ajna chakra. (Moolha banda can be applied).

Remove the hands from the face and exhale with brahmari.

Inhale straight away again and practice these rounds for a few minutes.

Benefits:

1. Useful for managing anxiety and removing negative mental patterns.
2. Ajna chakra is stimulated.
3. Stimulates sensory organs and later stages sense withdrawal.
4. Brings about calmness, focus and introversion.
5. Increases sensitivity to subtle stimuli.
6. Great for facial muscles and appearance as the heat and prana of the hands and fingers stimulates and relaxes facial muscles.
7. Creates balance between the materialistic and spiritual aspects.

Precautions

If any pain is felt from performing the agochari mudra then avoid.

Place the fingers gently on the face.

For some people it can bring up strong emotions very fast and sometimes fear.