詳しいガイド（英語）
Meaning and tradition
Karana is Sanskrit for action or doing, and the gesture is known as the Mudra of Expelling. In Buddhist and Hindu iconography it appears as a gesture used to ward off evil and expel obstacles, and in some traditions it is shown in dance and ritual as well. In modern popular yoga it is taught as an energy mudra for releasing what is unwanted. It is mainly an iconographic and popularized teaching rather than a gesture described in the classical hatha yoga texts.
Its element association (air and water) comes from the finger map used in modern hasta mudra systems, where the index finger is air and the little finger is water.
How to practice
Sit in Easy Pose or stand in Mountain Pose. Fold the middle and ring fingers into the palm, lay the thumb over them, and point the index and little fingers straight up. Hold the hand at chest height with the palm forward, or rest both hands on the thighs.
Breathe slowly through the nose. Dirga Breath gives a steady rhythm. Hold for a few breaths up to five minutes, then open the hand and shake it out.
Tips and common mistakes
Use light pressure. The thumb holds the two folded fingers; it does not squeeze.
Look at which fingers touch. Unlike Apana Mudra, where the middle and ring fingertips touch the thumb tip, here the thumb presses the folded fingers down and no tips meet. Unlike Prana Mudra, where the ring and little fingertips touch the thumb tip, here the little finger stays straight and points up.
Keep the two raised fingers straight but not rigid, and keep the wrist neutral.
Tradition vs. evidence
Claims that this gesture expels negativity or changes the air and water elements come from a symbolic framework and are not supported by clinical studies. What can be said honestly is that a defined, effortless hand shape gives attention something to settle on and pairs well with slow breathing.