Master Confidence With Yoga Mudras for Public Speaking
Written by Ellie Smith, Yoga Instructor
Ellie Smith is an experienced yoga and breathwork teacher with a background in academia, teaching communication and cultural studies. She is the founder of Ellie Smith Yoga Ltd, a platform for new and returning professionals to learn how to apply practices from yoga to improve their public speaking presence.
Yoga mudras are more than just hand gestures; they’re powerful tools for building confidence, especially in moments of pressure. By integrating mudras like anjali or vajrapradama into your routine, you can steady your nerves and shift your energy, whether you’re preparing for a big presentation or simply navigating a busy day.
Why mudras build confidence
Mudras are a quiet but powerful part of my yoga practice. These simple hand gestures (a poor translation for something far deeper than just a gesture) connect movement with mindset, and I’ve seen firsthand how they help steady the nerves, especially in moments of pressure.
When I use mudras like anjali or hakini before I speak in public, they help me settle in and feel centered. They’re not magic, but they do shift something in me, and often in the room, too.
One gesture I come back to again and again is vajrapradama mudra, the "unshakable trust seal." It's a great mudra to help me feel grounded. I don’t just feel more confident; I stand differently, speak more clearly, and connect more fully. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s powerful.
And the interesting part of all this? Most of the time, I don't even know I'm doing it, and likely neither do you.
Our bodies are fascinating. They are always working to keep us safe. And that includes when we go up on stage to give a Big Scary Speech. More often than not, our bodies will likely self-soothe, and these hand gestures (or something like them) are one way we unconsciously do that. Elon Musk himself is known to opt for Hakini Mudra.
How to use mudras in daily life
If you're looking to develop a little more self-confidence, this is for you. Adding mudras to your day doesn’t need to be elaborate. I like to start small. Quiet moments, early morning, before bed, or right before speaking publicly, are ideal. Sit comfortably, take a few slow breaths, and bring your hands into position. That alone can change how you feel.
For everyday grounding, anjali mudra, hands pressed together at your heart (or heart chakra), helps me feel both steady and respectful, toward myself and others. It’s gentle but affirming.
For anxious moments, especially before a presentation, I turn to vajrapradama. Interlace your index fingers, middle fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers. Rest your hands lightly on your chest. This simple act sends a message to your body: you are safe, you are strong, and you’ve got this.
For moments during a presentation, my go-to is hakini mudra. It portrays an aura of self-confidence to my audience, making me appear to be more reliable and credible. That doesn't mean I'm intentionally deceiving them, just that I'm telling my body I'm safe, so the signs of flight-or-fight that public speaking can trigger are less visible.
Three mudras that support public speaking
When nerves hit, mudras offer more than comfort. They shift how we show up.
Vajrapradama mudra is all about unshakable trust. Weave your fingers together and rest them near your heart center. This creates a sense of rootedness. It reminds your body (and your mind) to trust your voice, your message, and your presence.
Anjali mudra, the familiar prayer position, builds connection. Placing prayer hands at the front of the chest brings your attention to the heart and sets a tone of respect for yourself and your audience. It softens the space between you and the people listening, creating a sense of shared presence.
Hakini mudra helps focus the mind. Bring your fingertips to touch, palms apart, hands near your forehead. This one clears mental clutter. It supports calm, thoughtful speech, especially useful when your mind feels busy or scattered.
What the audience picks up on
These gestures don’t just help me. They shape how others experience me, too. There’s something about the calm and clarity these mudras invite that shifts the energy in the room. People sit up, listen in, and seem more at ease, not because of what I’m doing with my hands, but because of how those hand positions help me be.
Hakini mudra is a great example. When I hold it, I feel sharper, more clear, and more aligned with what I want to say. I often notice people leaning in, staying with me more fully. It’s a reminder that how we carry ourselves, right down to our fingertips, tells a story long before we open our mouths.
More than just a speaking tool
Each one has taught me something different. Anjali mudra for centering. Vajrapradama for trust. Hakini for clarity. They’re like anchors, small, steady, always within reach.
If you're new to this, I invite you to try just one. See how it feels. Let it become part of your toolkit, not just for public speaking, but for any moment when you need to stand tall, breathe deeply, and remember who you are.
If you're interested in taking your yoga practice further but are unsure where to start, I invite you to sign up for my free Yoga Starter Kit, there to help you get set up the right way for a lifelong, sustainable yoga practice made to suit you. And you never ever have to touch your toes.
Read more from Ellie Smith
Ellie Smith, Yoga Instructor
Ellie Smith is a yoga and breathwork teacher based in rural Japan. Her background is in tertiary education with a focus on communication and cultural studies. She now blends these two professions in her business, teaching clients how to get started with yoga, how to stick with it, and how to apply its principles and techniques off the mat to reduce public speaking anxiety and improve their public speaking presence.
