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Merudanda Mudra is a strong hand gesture that helps spinal well being. Practising this mudra might help relieve again ache and scale back stress inside a couple of minutes.
To carry out Merudanda Mudra, curl your fingers into a delicate fist whereas protecting the thumbs prolonged. Relaxation your arms in your thighs, and with every deep breath, change the path of your thumbs.
This mudra is often used throughout meditation and pranayama practices. The prolonged thumbs in Merudanda Mudra are additionally utilized in Shambhavi mudra to assist regulate the gaze within the preliminary levels of observe.
Merudanda mudra which means
In Sanskrit, “merudanda” refers to “spinal column” and “mudra” means gesture. Its observe leaves massaging results on the spinal column aiding the move of pranic vitality all through the physique.
It’s named so due to the soothing and therapeutic results that it leaves on the backbone. It’s also known as Backbone Mudra.
Merudanda mudra can also be known as guru mudra because the thumb is actively used on this mudra and the thumb is related to the hearth ingredient. Similar to a guru (instructor) guides you from darkness to gentle, the hearth ingredient affiliation of this mudra provides you the wanted hearth vitality to information your path.
Because of the move of prana all through the backbone, Merudanda mudra helps to activate and steadiness all of the chakras. It additionally serves as an train to enhance the main target and focus of the practitioner.
Mythological facet of merudanda mudra
In Hindu mythology, there’s a sacred golden mountain named Mount Meru, believed to be the abode of the gods. It’s stated to face on the centre of the universe, simply because the spinal column lies on the centre of the human physique, providing structural and energetic assist.
The phrase “Merudanda” is a mixture of “Meru” (the cosmic mountain) and “Danda” (scepter or workers). Symbolically, it represents “the workers of Mount Meru,” reflecting the central assist of our physique the backbone. This sacred affiliation provides the mudra each non secular and energetic significance.
Curiously, Merudanda Mudra visually resembles a thumbs-up gesture, which universally alerts that “every little thing is okay.” Practising this mudra is believed to advertise a balanced, wholesome state—bodily, mentally, and energetically.
Merudanda Mudra is historically carried out with the thumb in a central place, nevertheless it may also be practised in two different variations, every aligning the thumb in a special path to reinforce the move of prana.
Adho Merudanda Mudra
On this, each thumbs pointing towards one another.

Urdhva Merudanda Mudra
On this, each thumbs pointing away from one another.

How you can Do Merudanda Mudra
Merudanda mudra is accomplished following Adho merudanda mudra and Urdhva merudanda mudra in sequence as described beneath:
- Sit in sukhasana or vajrasana protecting your eyes closed.
- Place your arms in your thighs with the palms dealing with down.
- Curl your fingers in direction of the palms to kind a fist.
- Maintain the thumbs prolonged in direction of one another (Adho Merudanda mudra).
- Shift your focus in direction of the gradual deep breaths and maintain the mudra for 8-10 breaths.
- Roll your arms in your thighs in order that the thumb is pointed in direction of the sky (Merudanda mudra).
- Once more, keep in such a place for 8-10 breaths.
- Finally, transfer your arms in order that the thumbs are pointed outwards in reverse instructions (Urdhva Merudanda mudra).
- Take eight gradual breaths holding Urdhva Merudanda mudra.
Precautions and contraindications
- Keep away from clenching the fists too tightly, as it could pressure the hand muscle tissue or wrists.
- Individuals with extreme spinal accidents or persistent again situations ought to seek the advice of a health care provider or yoga therapist earlier than practising.
- Don’t practise this mudra whereas mendacity down, because it requires an upright seated posture for correct pranic move.
- These with current hand or thumb accidents ought to keep away from or modify the gesture.
- Practise in a relaxed, quiet area to keep away from distractions and preserve focus.
- Should you really feel any discomfort within the decrease again or shoulders, cease and regulate your posture.
- Not appropriate for these with excessive ranges of restlessness or nervousness until performed below supervision.
- Keep away from practising for lengthy durations at first; begin with 5–10 minutes and enhance step by step.
Time & length
Merudanda Mudra could be practised at any time of the day, both whereas seated in a meditative posture (like Sukhasana or Padmasana) or sitting comfortably on a chair. It may also be carried out whereas standing, making it a handy and versatile mudra for every day use.
You’ll be able to practise this mudra as a preparatory or counter mudra to assist different yoga asanas or pranayama methods.
For optimum outcomes, comply with this respiratory rhythm (4:2:5:2):
- Inhale for 4 seconds
- Maintain the breath for two seconds
- Exhale for five seconds
- Pause for two seconds earlier than inhaling once more
Begin with 5 to 10 minutes per session. As your consolation and focus enhance, step by step enhance the length. Common observe helps promote calmness and helps spinal alignment and vitality steadiness.
Mechanism of working
Whereas performing Merudanda mudra the rotation of the thumbs steers the move of prana to completely different areas of the physique.
- In Adho Merudanda mudra, when thumbs are pointing in direction of one another, the prana strikes via the lungs and decrease stomach.
- Power strikes via the mid-section of the physique because the thumbs are prolonged upward.
- Lastly holding the Urdhva Merudanda with thumbs prolonged outwards energizes the chest in addition to the backbone.
- As Merudanda mudra derives pranic vitality all through the backbone, it opens all of the vitality chakras. When is the move of prana is directed in direction of the photo voltaic plexus (Manipura Chakra), it improves the metabolism to reply higher in any burdened scenario.
- This mudra is helpful in opening the sacred vitality channel, Sushumna Nadi that helps in attaining enlightenment. That is so as a result of the prana flows from the bottom of the pelvis to the crown of the top. Therefore, it additionally awakens the Kundalini vitality.
- In addition to this, Merudanda Mudra additionally stimulates the thymus gland. It produces hormones useful to take away the stress out of the physique.
Therapeutic benefits
- Merudanda mudra is a boon to alleviate again ache or again pressure.
- It rectifies the difficulty of slip disc if practiced for half-hour every day adopted by prana mudra for 10 minutes.
- It additionally helps in curing piles and therapeutic the prostate.
- Diabetic sufferers additionally expertise therapeutic results via this mudra.
- It has soothing results on the nervous system and helps to alleviate stress, nervousness, and different psychological points.
- It relieves points like dyspepsia and gastritis by enhancing the digestive hearth.
- You’ll be able to observe this mudra to heal the distended spleen or liver.
Advantages of Merudanda Mudra
Merudanda Mudra has a number of well being advantages that primarily assist the backbone, breath, and inside steadiness. When paired with gradual, deep respiratory, it gently prompts your vitality channels and improves each bodily and psychological well-being.
1. Relieves again ache and improves spinal alignment
Merudanda Mudra helps the pure curve of the backbone, serving to to launch pressure within the again muscle tissue. Common observe with deep respiratory can ease delicate again ache, particularly brought on by poor posture or sitting for lengthy hours.
2. Helps cleansing and lung enlargement
When mixed with deep respiratory or pranayama, Merudanda Mudra helps broaden the lungs, permitting for higher oxygen consumption. This helps the cleansing course of by serving to take away toxins via improved oxygen circulation and blood purification.
3. Improves respiratory and circulatory perform
This mudra encourages gradual, rhythmic respiratory, which reinforces the perform of the respiratory system. The improved breath move helps regulate the heartbeat and helps wholesome blood circulation.
4. Stimulates stomach organs and boosts digestion
Practising Merudanda Mudra with managed respiratory prompts the abdomen space, gently massaging the inner organs. This stimulation enhances the effectivity of the liver and kidneys and helps higher digestion and metabolic well being.
5. Aids in weight administration and reduces weight problems
By bettering digestive hearth and balancing vitality move, this mudra helps wholesome metabolism. When performed frequently with breath management, it may well assist burn extra fats and scale back obesity-related discomfort.
6. Calms the thoughts and reduces restlessness
Merudanda Mudra helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, selling psychological calm and emotional stability. It brings consciousness inward and is very helpful for lowering nervousness, restlessness, and scattered ideas.
7. Strengthens the backbone and prompts vitality channels (Nadis)
This mudra encourages correct posture and spinal alignment, which strengthens the again and core muscle tissue. It additionally stimulates the move of prana via the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadis, enhancing the physique’s general vitality steadiness.
Conclusion
Merudanda Mudra is an easy but efficient observe for bettering spinal well being and calming the thoughts. It matches simply into your every day routine and works nicely with meditation or respiratory workout routines. Just some minutes a day could make an actual distinction in how you are feeling.
FAQs on Merudanda Mudra
1. Can Merudanda Mudra be practised whereas strolling?
No, Merudanda Mudra needs to be practised whereas seated or standing nonetheless to keep up posture and breath consciousness.
2. Is Merudanda Mudra appropriate for learners?
Sure, it’s simple to study and appropriate for learners, particularly when mixed with gradual, deep respiratory.
3. Can I practise Merudanda Mudra throughout being pregnant?
It’s typically secure, however pregnant ladies ought to seek the advice of a yoga skilled earlier than practising any mudra frequently.
4. What number of instances a day can I do Merudanda Mudra?
You’ll be able to practise it 1–3 instances a day, relying in your consolation and schedule.
5. Does Merudanda Mudra require mantra chanting?
No, chanting is just not required, however you may mix it with a mantra or meditation for deeper focus.
6. Can I do Merudanda Mudra with one hand?
It’s really useful to make use of each arms for balanced vitality move, however it may be performed with one hand if wanted.
7. Is there a finest time to practise Merudanda Mudra?
Morning is right for contemporary vitality, however it may be performed any time through the day if you really feel the necessity for focus or rest.
8. Does Merudanda Mudra assist with posture correction?
Sure, it encourages upright sitting and consciousness of the backbone, which might help enhance posture over time.