Makara Mudra: the crocodile gesture for recharging

How to do Makara Mudra

1. Sit comfortably with your back upright, or lie on your back with the hands on your belly.
2. Hold your right hand palm up in front of your belly and rest your left hand in it, also palm up.
3. Slide your right thumb up between the little finger and ring finger of your left hand, so the tip rests in the center of your left palm.
4. Touch the tip of your left thumb to the tip of your left ring finger.
5. Let the other fingers relax and breathe slowly and evenly into the belly.
6. Stay for 5–10 minutes, up to three times a day, then release. Next time you can swap hands.

Makara mudra is a two-hand gesture in which one hand rests in the other: the lower thumb reaches through to the center of the upper palm, while the upper thumb touches the ring finger of the same hand. Named after the crocodile, it is traditionally used to recover after stress and to restore energy. Here is its meaning, how to do it and what the Makara mudra benefits really are.

Makara mudra meaning: what is a makara?

What is a makara? In Indian art it is a water creature, often shown as a crocodile, the mount of the river goddess Ganga and of Varuna, god of the waters. The makara meaning in English is usually "crocodile" or "sea creature", and in Kannada and other Indian languages the word is used the same way (it also names the zodiac sign Capricorn). So the Makara mudra meaning is "crocodile gesture".

Why a crocodile? Crocodiles are famous for stillness, and their behavior and habits inspired the crocodile posture of yoga: they lie motionless for hours, saving energy, and move only when needed. The mudra borrows that idea. It is a gesture for filling up your reserves rather than spending them.

How to do Makara mudra: steps and tips

The Makara mudra steps above and the Makara mudra images at the top of this page show the hand position. If you wonder which mudra is this, with one hand nested in the other and a thumb reaching through, it is Makara. Tips:

• Find the gap. The lower thumb slides between the little and ring fingers of the upper hand. Go slowly; it takes a few tries.
• Light touch. The thumb rests in the palm; it does not press hard.
• Lying down works well. Rest the hands on the belly in Savasana for a deep recharge.

Hold it 5–10 minutes, up to three times a day. Afternoons and evenings suit it, when energy runs low. Pair it with slow belly breathing and set the meditation timer.

Makara mudra benefits (Makara mudra ke fayde)

• Recovering after stress. Tradition uses it when you feel drained. Rest and slow breathing are what help most; for a longer routine, see yoga for burnout and exhaustion.
• Steady energy. Unlike a quick mudra for an energy boost, it is about refilling, not stimulation. Prana mudra is the faster pick-me-up.
• A calmer mind. It can serve as a mudra to reduce stress; see yoga for stress relief.

You may see Makara mudra benefits for skin problems, clear skin, hair or dark circles, and claims that it is a hand mudra for weight loss, a mudra for weight gain, or for memory power or mind power. There is no evidence for any of these. Tired-looking eyes improve most with sleep; see yoga for dark circles.

Makara mudra vs crocodile posture (Makarasana)

The crocodile posture, Makarasana, is a relaxing pose lying on your front with the head resting on folded arms. Crocodile posture benefits include a relaxed back and easy belly breathing. Makara mudra is only a hand gesture. They share the same idea of deep rest, but you cannot hold this mudra in the prone posture; do it on your back or seated instead.

Makara mudra side effects

No harmful side effects are known. Some people feel sleepy afterwards, which is often the point. If exhaustion lasts for weeks, see a doctor to check for causes such as anemia, thyroid problems or depression.

Related mudras and their benefits

What are mudras? What is mudra in yoga? Hand gestures that give attention a shape; mudra meaning in English is "seal". There is no single best mudra for overall health. What is a mudra in Buddhism? The same idea, seen in statues of the Buddha. Maha mudra, despite the name, is a seated hatha yoga stretch with breath retention, not a hand gesture, and the benefits of Maha mudra are described in hatha texts.

What is Varuna mudra? Little fingertip to thumb, for dryness. The benefits of Gyan mudra and the benefits of Chin mudra are focus and calm, so if you ask which mudra is good for the brain, start there. The benefits of Vayu mudra relate to gas, the benefits of Kubera mudra to goals, and Apana Vayu is the traditional mudra for heart health. Mahasirs is the usual mudra to reduce headache. If you ask which mudra is best while walking, Gyan is the easiest. See all hand mudras and their benefits on our mudras chart.

Makara mudra benefits in Hindi and Tamil are the same as in English; the box below sums them up in Hindi.

More mudras

Mudras are a traditional practice for focus and relaxation. Research on specific health effects is limited; use them alongside, not instead of, medical care.