Deck Review: Mudras for Awakening the Energy Body

Mudras for Awakening The Energy Body Deck + Book Set is an interesting little gem published by US Games Systems, Inc. The artwork is by Sabina Espinet & the guidebook is written by Alison DeNicola. The cards measure 4 1/4″ x 5″ so they are almost perfectly square. The guidebook is the same size and contains 112 pages of high quality semi-gloss paper with all cards depicted as a full color page. The set is housed in a high quality sturdy cardboard box that measures 4 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ x 1″. The fitted lid easily lifts off due to the box having a matte finish as opposed to glossy that some other publishers use.

The cards include 7 chakra cards and 33 mudra cards for a total of 40 cards. Each chakra has its own card with its Sanskirt symbol depicted on it in the corresponding chakra color. The mudras all correspond best to particular chakras so they match their particular chakra in overall color scheme. The artwork is very soft without looking overly feminine so men would enjoy this deck as well. The mudras are illustrated very well so the viewer can see how to pose their hand in order to create that particular mudra. The corresponding text within the book explains how each mudra is to be duplicated. Each card on its reverse also has the instructions repeated, as well as the name of the mudra, the issues with which it is the most helpful, that particular mudra’s benefits, and the focus. All of the information contained on the back of each card is also included in the guidebook. In addition, the guidebook includes another section entitled “Practice” that instructs the reader as to what they should be visualizing or focusing upon as they use that particular mudra. Each card is done monochromatically so that mudras associated with the Root Chakra have their image consisting of shades of red. The Naval or Second Chakra mudra cards are depicted in shades of orange. Mudras associated with the Solar Plexus are designed in shades of yellow. Shades of green are used on the mudras associated with the Heart Chakra. Soft pastel shades of blue adorn the mudra cards associated with the Throat Chakra. Vibrant shades of purple (my favorite color) bring the mudras associated with the Crown Chakra to life.

As a reader, I primarily use card decks for divination. I rarely meditate, but when I do there are certain decks I prefer to use for meditative purposes over others. I admit to knowing nothing about mudras. I have never used them myself, but in working with this deck the past few weeks I have begun to use the mudras depicted, and I must say I have felt a difference.

This is not a deck meant to be used for divination. It is best suited for meditative purposes as well as focusing inward, and healing. I have used Mudras for Awakening the Energy Body for each of these purposes and this is what I have experienced. Bear in mind that everyone’s experience will most likely vary.

I was suffering from a sinus infection and I had gone through the 10 days of antibiotic, but was still badly congested with a totally stuffed up and very painful head. I thought, why not try to use mudras to move this energy out of my system? I looked through the deck and decided upon Card Number 30, Bhramara Mudra, aptly entitled, “Breathe,” which I badly needed to do without so much struggling!

The Focus on this card reads: “I sense and open to perfect balance and breath.” The benefits of this mudra are: “[r]elieves nasal & nasal congestion. Assists immune system. Opens & directs breath to head & sinuses.” The Bhramara Mudra is associated with the Throat Chakra, which I personally found very interesting because all sinus infections for me always begin with a sore throat.

I formed the mudra with both my hands. I am left-handed so I had a much easier time forming the mudra with my left hand, than with my right, so I was hoping with the right hand that intention would count. As I focused on the brief meditative visualization provided in the guidebook under the “Practice” section I wondered, “am I crazy or does my nose suddenly feel a little better?”

I maintained the meditation for about 2 minutes when I suddenly got the urge to start stretching my neck. As I did so I began to feel my nasal cavity slowly open up. In about another 2 minutes I was breathing easier. I was stunned, to say the least!

I kept this card with me & carefully carried it from room to room. When I had a free moment I would form the mudra again and concentrate on my sinuses opening up. It was a Friday, my GP had gone out of town for spring break & wouldn’t be back for over a week, so had no way to get my antibiotic refilled without going to the ER. Fortunately, by bedtime that night I felt so much better! I slept better because I could finally BREATHE & in the morning I woke up feeling the best I had in about 15 days. I practiced the Bhramara Mudra for 2 more days off and on. I still felt fairly miserable at times, but I could tell the congestion was clearing up. By the end of the week I felt fine and that was without additional antibiotics.

Now, I am NOT recommending you use this deck in lieu of consulting with your doctor. Do not EVER do that. I share my experience to demonstrate that a total newbie to mudras benefited from the practice, which to me proves that the practice of mudras has a true validity. Little did I ever know.

Another example pertains to my 17-year-old daughter. She suffers from anxiety and recently was hired by Walgreens all on her own without any pushing from my husband or I. We are super proud of her, but I was worried about what the added stress of working may do to her. I taught her how to do the Abhaya Mudra, entitled “Fearlessness,” which is very simple to do. The focus of this mudra is, “[m]y courage and self-assurance is unwavering.” I have her form and focus on the mudra for 2 minutes twice before she goes in to work and then I have her form the mudra and focus for two more sets of 2 minutes each before she goes to bed. So far she’s been fine and she reports that she is even sleeping better so now she forms the mudra every night before going to bed.

This deck is proving to me that mudras are very beneficial and I intend to look more into them in the future. Meanwhile, I highly recommend Mudras for Awakening the Energy Body to anyone who is interested in meditation, yoga, as well as Eastern spirituality and philosophies. You may not be able to do divinatory readings with this deck in the conventional sense, but its uses go far beyond divination.