In May 2008, this amazing project was born at the Sivananda Yoga Ranch through a Divine meeting between Suba Pamar, a Bharata Natyam dancer from South India and Lila Lolling, director of DYF.  The two ladies sat down to discuss the possible use of Bharatanatyam's sacred Mudras

as a "signed" Sanskrit vocabulary within the Deaf community.  Suba was thrilled with this idea and began revealing to Lila some of the sacred mudras and karanas of the classical Bharatanatyam dancers.  During this exchange, another thing was revealed... that each mudra was a representation of an ancient sanskrit word(s) and/or concepts.

Lila was thrilled with this knowledge since she previously had been struggling as to how to translate Sanskrit vocabulary, Yogic teachings and Kirtan (chanting) into American Sign Language (ASL).  But since their meeting, she has been able to make Kirtan accessible to the Deaf community by utilizing the Mudras as a translation of the Sanskrit.

Since Deaf community members are just now beginning to explore Yoga, only a few of the more popular concepts have become a part of ASL vocabulary.  This evolution is so recent that we are still establishing standardized signs for meditation, yoga, etc.

Bharatanatyam, it is said, is the embodiment of music in visual form, a ceremony, and an act of devotion. The dances themselves, tell the stories and history of ancient India.  Through the act of story-telling, the Bharatanatyam dancers use mudras, hand positions, in order to express concepts, words and thoughts.

The incorporation of these Bharatanatyam mudras are just now entering the Deaf community and with rave reviews.  We are able to keep the traditional position and meaning, while still receiving similar energetic benefits (vibrations) that occur through the use of mantras, through the vocal cords.  This project will open the door, not only to vocabulary, but to the knowledge of one's own Atman. 

Lila (left) & Suba (right)

This exciting and ground-breaking project will benefit all peoples, as Mudras break the boundaries between cultures and languages.  Join us in this mission to document these powerful and sacred Mudras and share them with the Global Yoga Community.

Thank you for your support and "Gift of Giving"... you are impacting lives, and the world, in this very moment.

With great humility, enthusiasm and curiosity, we present the Mudra/Vocabulary Research Project.  This project is ground-breaking in nearly every aspect of its vision.  The DeafYoga Foundation recently began incorporating ancient Indian Mudras into the teachings of Yoga philosophy.  Since American Sign Language is still limited in its Yoga vocabulary, we began using traditional mudras in order to convey the Sanskrit word(s) or concepts.  With enthusiasm and acceptance from the Deaf community members, we have decided to continue studying and reveal more mudras! 

This past summer we have focused on integrating these mudras and we are pleased it has aided in the transference of Yogic wisdoms.  But we need your help in order to continue our service and bring mudras into a more formalized, documented format so that Deaf yogins around the globe can begin to utilize a perhaps, Sanskrit-hand vocabulary.

copyright deafyoga foundation 2008.  all rights reserved.

There are several options in assisting us with this project.  We are currently seeking assistance with funding, production, post-production and documentation options.  If you are able, willing and feeling called to be a part of this ground-breaking project, please contact us.  To make a financial contribution, please click below.  Thank you for your offerings and interest. 

"Shiva -Nataraj"