Khe=Supreme Soul;Char=Flying in the air
Khechari mudra is one of the mana mudras, is a head gesture we perform to activate our kundalini Shakti. For exploring the various dimension of energy level in our mind and subtle energy exists with our actions and thoughts Khechari Mudra is practiced from ancient times in India.
Table of Contents
The Yogic Philosophy of Khechari Mudra
- Yogic Sense: Mana Mudras (Tongue Extension)
- Style: Hatha Yoga
- Chakras: Ajna
- Nadis: Sushumna
- Physical Presence: Tongue, Jaw, Uvula, Nasal Cavity
- Strengthens: Nervous, Digestive Organs, Respiratory Organs, Life energy
- Duration: 5 – 10 Minutes / 5 – 6 Rounds
- Repetition: If Jaw and Mouth Permits
Khechari Mudra is a hatha yoga practice, placing our tongue with the pituitary gland. At various stages moving tongue in the backside of the mouth to the soft palate to reach inside our nasal cavity.
Various stages exist for Khechari mudra. Khechad in Sanskrit means in Sanskrit those who fly in the sky; “Khe” means the supreme identity or soul also known as Bramha and “Char” means which is flying in the air.
Khechari Mudra and Pituitary Gland – God of Glands
Khechari mudra stimulates our pituitary gland and allows us to test the nectar or called Amrita – The nectar of immortality. The pituitary gland is called God of all Glands within the human body which let us see what exists beyond our senses.
Moving up to the upper lips till the pituitary gland, our consciousness grows to such a higher level so that we can have feelings of staying immortal or disease-free life till we die.
Khechari Mudra and Manduki Mudra
Khechari mudra has a specific connection with manduki mudra. In Manduki mudra we used to rotate our tongue and touch the soft palate inside our mouth with our tongue; in Khechari mudra we practice the variation of manduki mudra. It is an advanced form of manduki mudra over a while with various stages.
One who masters the process of touching with the tip of the tongue to the nearest place of the third eye chakra or Ajna chakra surely understood the essence of khechari mudra.
Khechari Mudra and Ancient Hatha Yoga Practice
We find references to Khechari mudra in ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’, ‘Khecharividya’, ‘Tantriksaiba’, Tantraloka’ etc. in various other ancient yogic textbooks. In recent times Paramahansa Yogananda also taught us khechari mudra in kriya yoga. He taught us about its deep spiritual connection with our consciousness.
Khechari Mudra and Kriya Yoga
There are two variations in Mudra yoga for khechari mudra. One is called Talabya kriya and another one is called Mukha Kriya.
In Talabya kriya we move our tongue to touch the soft palate. Mukha kriya is a prerequisite of Khechari Mudra.
Mukha kriya is the normal kriya or action of rotation with of tongue in clockwise and anticlockwise direction inside the mouth. Inside our mouth, there is a small portion surround by the vocal area is called the uvula, which is a small structure inside on mouth. It is a very vital organ for the deepness of our voice and sweetness of our voice.
Khechari Mudra: Step-By-Step Instructions
Khechari mudra is one of the traditional mudra performed in sukhasana or padmasana.
- Sit in padmasana and gently take a deep breath.
- Relax your mind and start moving your tongue towards the soft palate exist in the upper portion of the mouth.
- Our tongue and uvula are a subtle portion of the mouth. Once you reach the uvula try to keep the tip of the tongue for or at least a minute, depending on the fatigue of tongue.
- Keep touching the uvula then perform more advanced movement of tongue.
- Khechari mudra is practiced in four different stages.
- Initially you hold the tongue and start touching the soft palate. This is Mukha Kriya.
- The next stage where you touch the uvula. This is Talabya Kriya.
- In the third stage after a month of practice, you slowly bring your tongue to the hollow space in our nasal cavity portion.
- In the fourth phase or the final phase of khechari mudra, you will be able to touch the uppermost place called the nectar of life or Amrita; that test is sweet like honey.
How long to Practice Khechari Mudra?
You can practice Khechari Mudra at a stretch 5 – 10 minutes. After practicing initially you will face pain in lower jaw. Gradually with steady practice, you will overcome the pain and practice more.
When to Practice Khechari Mudra?
Khechari mudra works best if you practice in the morning with an empty stomach. After having a light amount of water the saliva secretion in the mouth gets a boon.
Benefits of Khechari Mudra
Many different benefits can be achieved through practicing steadily Khechari mudra. The main benefit we achieved is the activeness of the nervous system.
- It brings an exuberance state of mind while you practice this mudra.
- It activates the Ajna chakra or the third eye chakra for activating our consciousness and awareness improvement.
- Khechari mudra provides all the benefits of Manduki mudra where we achieve improving the sense of taste. Your sense of taste will improve at a higher level.
- Practicing regularly stimulates the Amrita which essentially provides an anti-aging element and disease-free body.
- The stamina and vibrancy of the body improve.
- The skin becomes rejuvenating and one looks much younger.
- It removes any type of saliva and mucus related problems in our throat.
- For those who have problems with their tongue or speaking problem, this will help them a lot.
- Khechari mudra helps in meditation also.
- Khechari mudra distributes all our energy pass in different organs of our body.
Contraindications and Cautions of Khechari Mudra
You should restrain practice if you are suffering excess mucus problems. Consult and Practice in front of an expert yoga teacher.
Those who have a recent operation on their eyes or nose should restrain themselves from practicing this mudra.
Advance Variations of Khechari Mudra
Khechari Mudra itself is an advanced mudra. Initially, you practice navo mudra and manduki mudra. You practice Talabya kriya and mukha also. Then Khechari Mudra begins and slowly you master the technique of Khechari Mudra.
Beginner’s Tip of Khechari Mudra
For beginners practice manduki mudra and navo mudra; which is also a basic practice before Khechari mudra. Navo Mudra similar to Manduki mudra. It is an easy practice where you are just touching the soft palate. It is very similar to manduki mudra.
Therapeutic Applications of Khechari Mudra
- Nervous Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder
- Stammering issue
Mudras Related to Khechari Mudra
Preparatory Mudra
- Navo Mudra
- Manduki Mudra
- Pashinee Mudra
Follow-up Mudra
FAQ’s on Khechari Mudra
What Is Khechari Mudra, And What Are Its Benefits?
Khechari Mudra is a gesture where Yogi travels in otherworldly space. khe means space the ethereal region within consciousness the and char means who flies. it is a gesture for awakening our kundalini Shakti.
Khechari Mudra is performed by rolling the tongue in the back word towards the nasal cavity where it touches the Bindu or space. Here yogi can taste the nectar or eternal fluid called Amrita.
- Khechari Mudra stimulates various points inside the mouth and soft palate inside the mouth. The tongue moves to the nasal cavity and uvula. These points secretes hormones and saliva which helps rejuvenating our body.
- Various glands helps to restrict our hunger.
- Khechari Mudra helps rejuvenating liver kidney and other vital organs.
- Khechari Mudra helps us mentally with a good attitude and fearlessness inside our heart.
- It even stimulate the feel good hormones like dopamine and reduce the effect of the ageing factor in human body.
Why Do Yogis Use Khechari Mudra?
When a Yogi practices khechari mudra he might achieve the capability to immune against poison, diseases, etc. Yogis practice Khechari Mudra even to afflict with hunger, thirst, or even death.
In Hatha Yoga Pradipika Swami Swatmarama explains how practicing Khechari Mudra even destroys bad energies inside us. When a yogi’s tongue touches the soft palate and tastes the nectar or “Somrasa” AKA “Amrita” he is essentially moving to the inner sky or the ethereal region.
Is It True That Khechari Mudra Is Necessary For Kriya Yoga?
The answer is it depends. The great Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda had given full knowledge of Kriya. But regarding the Khechari Mudra, it was optional. When he started teaching kriya yoga abroad he taught various kriyas or internal cleansing methods.
They were different forms of modifications of Kriyas. One of the great person, also known as the father of kriya yoga Lahiri Mahasaya taught Khechari Mudra to his disciples if the disciple finds effectiveness by practicing Khechari Mudra. In a way, there is no restriction of knowing and practicing Khechari Mudra.
How Do You Master The Khechari Mudra Technique?
To master Khechari mudra, initially you practice Manduki mudra for a month. It has four different stages first two stages are just to touch the soft palate and later try to touch the uvula or the soft bag. Then move to the third and fourth stage of Khechari mudra where you touch nasal cavity and finally the pituitary gland. It is the toughest one which needs rigorous practice of stressing the tongue to the nasal cavity and moving upwards to the Ajna chakra.
What Are The Different Phases Of Khechari Mudra?
There are four different stages of Khechari Mudra. First stage is manduki mudra, second one is navo mudra. In the third stage, you have to move the tip of the tongue to the nasal cavity fourth one is to have a feeling of touching Ajna chakra or the upper region of the nasal cavity.
Does Khechari Mudra Really Works?
Yes, it works for those who practice daily with utmost focus and attention. With gradual practice once you will have a taste of salty saliva and finally the same saliva will taste like the nectar or Amrita.
What Is The Purpose Of Khechari Mudra?
The main purpose of khechari mudra is to awaken our consciousness to a higher level. By practicing khechari mudra, it provides anti-aging foundations, helpful for making our physical body disease-free.
Can Khechari Mudra Done After Eating?
Khechari Mudra can be done after eating or before eating. But it works best when you are an empty stomach. Practice Khechari Mudra in the morning where your physical and mental ability works on a sound level.
Is Khechari Mudra Works Best For Anxiety?
Yes to a certain extent Khechari Mudra helps to relieve our stress and anxiety. It helps to release stress by distributing energy flow in different organs which rejuvenises our whole body.
Is Khechari Mudra Is Best For Weight Loss?
Khechari mudra is traditionally known for activating energy in nervous system. It helps mental stableness and provides stability in our thoughts and emotions.
Does Khechari Mudra Works For Beautiful Skin?
Khechari mudra is an element for improving our Kapha Dosa. It helps in digestion and provides all the essential saliva and mucus which rejuvenates our skin and provides beautiful skin.
Conclusion
For achieving a higher state of consciousness you must practice Khechari mudra. Once you master Manduki mudra Khechari mudra becomes very easy. Khechari mudra is the best gesture through which you can grow your conscious to such a level, that it can realize what is called “Paramananda” or “Satchidananda”; happiness all the time; this is the reason Khechari mudra also referred to as the king of all gestures or mudras.
Further Reading
Have you enjoyed reading about “Top 10 Benefits of Khechari Mudra | How to Do Khechari Mudra”? Also, check various Topics on Yoga and related topics on Yoga. Relevant issues like Mudra and Asana also. Take a look at our collection of articles about Mudra, books as well as other categories in health & Inspiring Indians Life also. Alternatively, read our article about the top benefits & other interesting ideas for various vegetables in our daily groceries.
References
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848556/
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4438173/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6145966/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871312/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934951/