Khechari mudra

Khechari Mudra is a highly significant and advanced yogic practice that endows the practitioner with several spiritual powers along with numerous physical benefits. It is an extremely powerful practice on the path of spiritual awakening and is exclusively mentioned in the traditional Hathayogic texts.  

This mystic practice is said to be practiced by touching the nasopharyngeal cavity behind the uvula using the tongue tip and drawing up the prana into the spine, passing the chakras, and awakening the Kundalini Shakti. Khechar mudra is acclaimed to secrete the elixir of life, Amrita. Khechari mudra, coupled with Ujjayi and Shambhavi, activates the pituitary gland, helping the yogi reach higher levels of consciousness through the stimulation of the nervous system. 

There are several prerequisites for this unique yogic practice. Talavyakriya and Nabhomudra are a few to name. The tongue should be long and flexible to perform this, so it is stretched in and out through chalana and dohanakriya before kechary mudra.

Practice of Khechari Mudra

Hatha Pradipika describes Khechari as given below:

कपालकुहरे जिह्वा प्रविष्टा विपरीतगा। भ्रुवोरन्तर्गता दृष्टिर्मुद्रा भवति खेचरी॥३२॥

Kapālakuharejihvāpravistāviparītagā| Bhruvorantargatādstirmudrābhavatikhecarī||32||  

Reversing the tongue and inserting it into the nasopharyngeal cavity, while fixing the gaze in the middle of the eyebrows, it becomes Khechari Mudra. 

As the aspirant reaches the tongue beyond the pharynx, a strange feeling of nothingness is experienced in the mouth. The practitioner should focus on that. This is the place of the master gland, and by stimulating it, one can balance the energy channels. Pressing the pituitary gland releases hormones that regulate various physiological activities.

It is said that during the initial stages of practicing Khechari Mudra, when the practitioner touches the secretion the taste would be bitter. This indicates the detoxification of the physiological system. However, with consistent practice, the bitter taste turns into sweet like honey, which is termed Amrita. Hatha Pradipika calls it the bliss of nectar. 

Physical Benefits of Khechari Mudra

Khechari Mudra has several physical benefits. Some of them are given below:

• Helps manage migraine and hypertension.

• Stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, aiding in slow aging.

• Opens up blocked salivary glands and eases the pain due to gland disorders.

• Helps reduce anxiety by activating the vagus nerve.

• Significantly reduces the problem of stammering.

• Influences the thyroid gland and manages metabolism, weight and growth.

• Causes the release of dopamine, inducing a soothing effect. 

• Aids in activating the pineal gland to secrete melatonin, serotonin, and beta-endorphins, further regulating sleep, appetite, and well-being. 

• Cleanses the body and helps with foul breath.

Along with physical benefits, this practice brings several spiritual benefits. 

Spiritual Benefits of Khechari Mudra

• Neither hunger nor thirst disturb the yogi, resulting in tranquility of mind.

• The mind becomes balanced and steady.

• Helps develop extra sensory perception, leading to psychic abilities and intuitive powers

• Awakens the third-eye chakra.

• Aids in the practice of meditation

• Removes tongue gag and makes tongue more sensitive, assisting in regulating panchatattva dominance or deficiency