Chinmaya Mudra: Breathing Into the Ribs

Mudras 3 illustrations Updated 2 Nov 2026

Chinmaya mudra makes a ring of the first finger and thumb, just like chin mudra, yet folds the remaining three fingers softly inward. Chinmaya can be translated as full of awareness or consciousness. In yoga classes it is used mainly during sectional breathing, where many students find it draws the breath into the middle of the chest and the sides of the ribs.

Below: forming chinmaya mudra, its partners in sectional breathing, a five minute routine, the usual list of chinmaya mudra benefits, and a reality check on them.

Meaning: Full of awareness
Hand shape: Thumb index circle, other fingers curled
Breath area: Middle chest and ribs
Part of: Sectional breathing with chin and adi mudra
Hold: 5 to 10 minutes
Palms: Down on the thighs

How to do chinmaya mudra

Take a tall seat, floor or chair.
Make a ring with each pointer finger and thumb.
Fold the last three fingers lightly inward.
Lay the backs of the fingers down so the palms face the thighs.
Breathe slowly through the nose, noticing the middle chest and ribs.
Carry on for up to ten minutes.

Chinmaya mudra in pictures

Chinmaya mudra close-up showing a thumb and pointer ring with three fingers tucked in — Level
All levels
Hold
5 to 10 minutes
Works on
Rib breathing
Thumb and pointer make a ring; the rest of the hand folds in like a loose bud.
**Teacher's cue:** Curl the fingers without making a tight fist.

Seated sectional breathing with both hands in chinmaya mudra resting on the thighs — Level
All levels
Hold
10 rounds
Works on
Side ribs
With the hands in chinmaya mudra, notice the ribs widen sideways on each inhale.
**Teacher's cue:** Feel the ribs open like an accordion.

Hands placed on the side ribs to feel the breath expand before practising the mudra — Level
All levels
Hold
5 breaths
Works on
Breath awareness
Before using the gesture, place the hands on the ribs to feel what side breathing is like.
**Teacher's cue:** Breathe into the hands without lifting the shoulders.

Chinmaya mudra in sectional breathing

Some schools teach three gestures for three areas of the breath. Chin mudra, thumb and index touching with the other fingers straight, is linked with the lower belly. Chinmaya mudra is linked with the middle chest and ribs. Adi mudra, the thumb tucked into a soft fist, is linked with the upper chest. Ten breaths per gesture, then a merged full breath, teaches how air fills the torso from bottom to top.

A short practice

Chin mudra: ten breaths, feeling the belly rise.
Chinmaya mudra: ten breaths, feeling the ribs widen.
Adi mudra: ten breaths, feeling the upper chest lift.
Hands open: ten full breaths moving through all three areas.

The whole sequence takes about five minutes and makes a good opening for pranayama practice.

Chinmaya mudra benefits: claims and limits

Mudra books list chinmaya mudra benefits such as better breathing, improved digestion and a calmer mind. The breathing benefit is the most believable, but it likely comes from the attention you place on the ribs rather than the finger position itself. There is no research showing a direct effect on digestion or lung function. Use the gesture as a helpful focus for breath awareness.

If you notice the shoulders lifting when you breathe into the ribs, relax them on the exhale and try again with a smaller breath.

Who might prefer an open hand

Stiff or sore fingers need not stop you: lay the palms on the side ribs during the breathing and skip the gesture. People with ongoing breathing problems should follow their doctor's advice and use gentle breathing exercises only as an extra.

Mudras are a traditional practice and research on them is limited. Use them alongside, never instead of, the care your doctor advises.