Añjali Mudrā
[2] The modern yoga pose praṇāmāsana (Sanskrit: प्रणामासन) involves standing upright, with the hands in Añjali Mudrā.
As a gesture, it is widely used as a sign of respect or a silent greeting in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
In sculpture, the Anjali mudra is common at entrances and in relief works of historic temples such as the Lingobhavamurti of Shaivism.
[6] Añjali (अञ्जलि) is a Sanskrit word which refers to the cavity formed between the palms by folding the hands together, to thus hold and offer flowers or water or donate or to receive something.
The Natya Shastra, a classical Indian dance text, describes it to be a posture where the two hands are folded together in a reverential state and that this is used to pray before a deity, receive any person one reveres, and also to greet friends.
[8] In the most common form of Anjali mudra, the hands are held at the heart chakra with thumbs resting lightly against the sternum.
"[9] In Sri Lanka the Sinhalese gesture of welcome incorporates the words "ayubowan" (may you live long) with both hands placed together on the sternum with a slight bow.
[8] While anjali mudra may be performed by itself from any seated or standing posture, the gesture is also incorporated into physical yoga practice as part of many full-body asanas including:
