Yoni Mudra: Two Forms of a Calming Seal

Mudras 3 illustrations Updated 2 Nov 2026

Yoni mudra has two meanings in yoga. In the version most people see in pictures, the fingers interlace and the index fingers and thumbs join to form a triangle, held in front of the lower belly. In hatha yoga texts, yoni mudra also names a practice of closing the ears, eyes, nose and lips with the fingers, better known as shanmukhi mudra. Yoni here means source or origin, and both forms aim to turn attention inward.

This guide gives the steps for both forms, explains what tradition says about yoni mudra benefits, and notes who should keep the practice gentle.

Meaning: Yoni: source, origin
Hand form: Interlaced fingers, triangle at the belly
Senses form: Shanmukhi: fingers close ears, eyes, nose, lips
Hold: Hand form 5 to 15 min; shanmukhi short rounds
Effect: Inward focus, calm
Same for: Women and men

Yoni mudra steps: the hand form

From an upright seat, meet the palms just below the navel.
Interlace the middle, ring and little fingers.
Straighten the index fingers and join their tips, pointing away from you.
Straighten the thumbs and join their tips, pointing up.
The index fingers and thumbs now frame a triangle. Rest the hands near the navel.
Shut the eyes and stay with unhurried breaths for 5 to 15 minutes.

Yoni mudra in pictures

Yoni mudra with interlaced fingers and joined index fingers and thumbs forming a triangle — Level
All levels
Hold
5 to 15 minutes
Works on
Inward focus
The hand form: fingers interlaced, index fingertips joined pointing away, thumbs joined pointing up, resting near the navel.
**Teacher's cue:** Let the elbows soften out to the sides.

Shanmukhi mudra closing the ears with thumbs and resting fingers over the eyes and nose — Level
Beginner plus
Hold
3 to 5 rounds
Works on
Withdrawing the senses
Shanmukhi, the senses closing form: thumbs on the ear flaps, index fingers over the closed eyes, middle fingers beside the nose, ring and little fingers above and below the lips.
**Teacher's cue:** Touch lightly; the fingers rest rather than press.

Seated meditation with yoni mudra held at the lower belly and spine upright — Level
All levels
Hold
10 minutes
Works on
Calm
Most people hold the hand form during seated breathing or meditation, with the spine tall.
**Teacher's cue:** Feel the breath move under the hands.

Shanmukhi mudra: the original yoni mudra of hatha texts

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika and later texts describe closing the six openings of the face, which is why it is called shanmukhi, six faced. Some people call this the original yoni mudra.

Sit tall and raise the elbows to shoulder height.
Rest the thumbs on the ear flaps, the index fingers on the closed eyelids, the middle fingers beside the nostrils, and the ring and little fingers above and below the lips.
Breathe in slowly, narrow the nostrils slightly with the middle fingers and pause briefly.
Release the nostrils and breathe out slowly.
Repeat 3 to 5 times, then lower the arms and sit quietly.

For a softer option, block only the ears and hum on each out breath, the way bhramari is done.

Yoni mudra benefits in tradition

Tradition describes yoni mudra benefits as turning attention away from the outer world, calming the mind and preparing for meditation. The shanmukhi form is a classic tool for pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses described in the eight limbs. These effects are experienced as calm and focus; there is little scientific research on either form.

Yoni mudra benefits for female and male practitioners

Online posts sometimes promise specific effects such as yoni mudra benefits for female hormones or yoni mudra benefits for male vitality. There is no reliable evidence for these claims. The practice is the same for everyone, and its realistic benefit is a quieter mind. For hormonal or fertility concerns, see a doctor; gentle routines on fertility yoga and yoga for PCOS can support medical care.

Safety notes

The hand form is safe for everyone. In the shanmukhi form keep pauses brief, and leave them out entirely with raised blood pressure, an eye problem or a tendency to panic. Do not press on the eyeballs. If you wear contact lenses, remove them first or rest the fingers on the eyebrows instead.

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

Questions people ask

What is yoni mudra?

A seal used in meditation. The common hand form interlaces the fingers into a triangle; the classical form closes the senses with the fingers and is also called shanmukhi mudra.