Vaccarelli VN, Raimondi GA, Barros NF. Using mudrās to expand the culture of care: an autoethnography of mental suffering among university students. Interface (Botucatu). 2026; 30(Supl. 1): e250190 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.250190
Abstract
Hasta mudrās, a Ayurvedic yoga technique, are hand gestures that promote body balance by stimulating the nervous system and breaking up stagnant energy in the body, meaning that they can be used to promote a non-pharmacological, multisensory and emancipatory mode of care. This article discusses the use of hasta mudras in expanding the culture of care and promoting the health of university students suffering from mental distress. From April to December 2020, during the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, weekly synchronous online classes were held at a public university in Brazil, where different mudras were applied. An autoethnographic text was produced to demonstrate the conclusion that the mudras played a fundamental role in relaxing, strengthening, decongesting, grounding and increasing the patience of participants.
Keywords
Yoga; Care; Mental health; University students; Autoethnography
Access in: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.250190
