5 Benefits of Covering Eyes and Ears with Warm Hands in Yoga

At the end of many yoga or pranayama practices, you might notice your teacher inviting you to rub your palms together until they feel warm, then cup them over your eyes and ears. It is a simple gesture, yet deeply restorative and symbolic.

When we rub our hands together, the friction creates heat and energy, or what yogis call prana, the life force that flows through all of us. Placing our warm palms over the eyes and ears allows that energy to flow inward, soothing both body and mind.

Here are 5 benefits of covering your eyes and ears with warm hands:

1. Soothes the Nervous System The warmth and gentle pressure activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body and mind relax and settle into stillness.

   
   

2. Relieves Eye Strain and Fatigue The warmth relaxes the tiny muscles around the eyes, releasing tension built up from screens, reading, or daily stress.

   
   

3. Quiets the Mind Covering the ears blocks external noise, encouraging pratyahara, the yogic practice of turning inward and withdrawing from sensory distractions.

   
   

4. Balances Energy (Prana) In yoga, the hands are seen as extensions of the heart chakra. Bringing them to the face helps restore and balance your internal energy, supporting relaxation and self-connection.

   
   

5. Grounds and Centers the Practitioner This small ritual helps bridge the inner practice with daily life, allowing you to transition from yoga or meditation feeling calm, focused, and grounded.

   
   

This simple act is a beautiful way to close a practice, especially in autumn, a season that reminds us to slow down and let go. As the trees release their leaves, we too can release tension, fatigue, and mental clutter. Covering the eyes and ears becomes a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and find peace in stillness.

Next time you finish your practice, take a few moments to rub your palms, feel the heat, and place them softly over your face. Let that warmth be a reminder: everything you need to restore and renew yourself already lies within.