What is it about?

Hug Mudra is a simple meditation practice that combines gentle self-hugging with mindful breathing and body awareness. Practitioners place their hands on different areas of the body—including the chest, abdomen, shoulders, ribs, and hips—and notice how the breath moves through the body. The hands work almost like a stethoscope, helping us “listen” to our breathing. In this study, Won Buddhist practitioners described experiencing the breath more clearly, naturally, and throughout the body.

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Why is it important?

Breath awareness can be difficult, even for experienced meditators. Hug Mudra offers a simple way to feel the breath more clearly through the body, supporting rather than replacing an existing meditation practice. The gentle act of embracing oneself may also bring comfort, self-acceptance, and self-care—making Hug Mudra a simple practice that can accompany both meditation and everyday life.

Perspectives

The word “mudra” traditionally refers to symbolic hand gestures used in contemplative practice, while hugging is a universal gesture of care. Hug Mudra brings these together through breathing, body awareness, and self-embrace. Our own hands can become like a stethoscope, helping us “listen” to our breathing through the body. Hug Mudra was developed as a simple and accessible way for anyone to practice breath awareness, while gently supporting rather than replacing an existing meditation practice.

Seong-Hun Jo
Wonkwang University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Hug Mudra meditation experiences of Won Buddhist practitioners., The Humanistic Psychologist, September 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/hum0000432.
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