Mudras: Ancient Gestures to Relieve Modern Stress - Softcover

Emily Fuller Williams (author) & Stuart Prado (illus)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0943990408 ISBN 13: 9780943990408

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2011

Synopsis

One way that all of us can better care for ourselves is by developing techniques for coping

with the irritations and anxiety that are part of life. That's why we're introducing this book on mudras.

Think of these gestures as self-talk for your hands. These simple movements, the gestures

that we often make unconsciously, can help us focus on our work, calm ourselves, release anger and energize us. Used for centuries by many different cultures, mudras are seen in Eastern dance and meditation, in ancient Egyptian friezes, even in Byzantine icons of Christ. Most of us use them today, too: we wave goodbye, we press a hand to our chest in

distress, we wriggle our fingers to release energy, or press fingertips together to calm ourselves.

Easy to learn, mudras can be done anywhere, at any time: at traffic lights, in meetings, in

airplanes, when we're arguing, when we're grieving, when we need to prepare for sleep. The word "mudra" can be translated from the Sanskrit as "that which brings in

About this title

About the Author:

Emily Fuller Williams, who started out to be a classroom teacher but found a different “helping” career as a massage therapist, is a member of a Cleveland OH-area practice that includes psychologists and mental health counselors and the author of Mudras: Ancient Gestures to Ease Modern Stress. A warm, gentle woman, Williams introduces mudras wherever she is: to clients, colleagues, even strangers on airplanes. “Anyone, of any age, who is willing to listen and provide feedback!” she chuckles.For the past several years, Williams has incorporated mudras in her practice and in her frequent presentations at conferences and retreats. She's taught the gestures to hospice workers, therapists, teachers, parent educators, and to members of church, civic and business groups at such programs as “Managing Holiday Stress,” “Stress Management for Parents,” and “Teaching Mudras to Children.” A native of River Falls WI, Williams graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison and the Ohio College of Massage Therapy. She lives in Fairview Park OH with her husband. They are the parents of two young adults.

From the Inside Flap:

Feeling edgy? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Can't think straight? Use the power in your hands to change how you feel.

Mudras: Ancient Gestures to Ease Modern Stress guides you through simple hand gestures known to relieve stressful feelings. These gestures are timeless: when you wave good-bye, when you place your hands over your heart upon hearing bad news, when you shake out your hands after a tense encounter you are using mudras. Now you can harness the power in hand gestures deliberately. This book teaches you the how and why of these ancient gestures. Easy to learn easy to use anywhere, any time, mudras are an effective, no-cost addition to the ways you already take care of yourself and those you love.

Whatever your situation or need, let mudras help you:

Increase patience

Let go of anger

Clarify visions of the future

Release tension

Boost memory

Bolster self-confidence

Focus your mind

Increase energy

Let go of grief

Praise for Mudras

"I was very surprised to discover something new and I absolutely love the minimal time involved."

Pamela Izquierdo

"Many of my sixth graders regularly use these mudras when they are under stress. Obviously the children have found that the gestures work!" Ann Masternak

"These time-honored strategies for managing mood will be invaluable to my patients. Everyone from hyperaroused kids to overwhelmed adults will benefit from trying these techniques."

Suzanne LeSure, Ph.D.

Emily Fuller Williams has practiced massage therapy since the 1980s with an emphasis on its emotional benefits. She began incorporating mudas into her work several years ago. Ms. Williams is sought-after massage and mudras instructor at conferences and trainings. She and her husband and two sons live in Cleveland, OH.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0943990408
• ISBN 13: 9780943990408
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96