The gesture first appeared 4000 years ago, found in clay tablets of the Indus valley civilization. It is performed as part of a physical yoga practice with an aim to achieve several benefits. It helps to alleviate mental stress and anxiety and is therefore used to assist the practitioner in achieving focus and coming into a meditative state.
The physical execution of the pose helps to promote flexibility in the hands, wrists, fingers and arms.
What is this gesture?