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Merudanda Mudra is a strong hand gesture that helps spinal well being. Practising this mudra may help relieve again ache and cut back stress inside a couple of minutes.
To carry out Merudanda Mudra, curl your fingers into a mild fist whereas maintaining the thumbs prolonged. Relaxation your palms in your thighs, and with every deep breath, change the path of your thumbs.
This mudra is usually 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 phases 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 power all through the physique.
It’s named so due to the soothing and therapeutic results that it leaves on the backbone. It is usually 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 aspect. Identical to a guru (instructor) guides you from darkness to mild, the hearth aspect affiliation of this mudra provides you the wanted hearth power to information your path.
As a result of 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 help.
The phrase “Merudanda” is a mixture of “Meru” (the cosmic mountain) and “Danda” (scepter or employees). Symbolically, it represents “the employees of Mount Meru,” reflecting the central help 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 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 can 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.

Learn how to Do Merudanda Mudra
Merudanda mudra is accomplished following Adho merudanda mudra and Urdhva merudanda mudra in sequence as described under:
- Sit in sukhasana or vajrasana maintaining your eyes closed.
- Place your palms in your thighs with the palms going through down.
- Curl your fingers in the direction of the palms to kind a fist.
- Maintain the thumbs prolonged in the direction of one another (Adho Merudanda mudra).
- Shift your focus in the direction of the sluggish deep breaths and maintain the mudra for 8-10 breaths.
- Roll your palms in your thighs in order that the thumb is pointed in the direction of the sky (Merudanda mudra).
- Once more, keep in such a place for 8-10 breaths.
- Ultimately, transfer your palms in order that the thumbs are pointed outwards in reverse instructions (Urdhva Merudanda mudra).
- Take eight sluggish breaths holding Urdhva Merudanda mudra.
Precautions and contraindications
- Keep away from clenching the fists too tightly, as it might pressure the hand muscle mass or wrists.
- Folks with extreme spinal accidents or power again situations ought to seek the advice of a physician 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 latest hand or thumb accidents ought to keep away from or modify the gesture.
- Practise in a peaceful, quiet area to keep away from distractions and keep focus.
- In the event 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 except 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 can be carried out whereas standing, making it a handy and versatile mudra for each day use.
You possibly can practise this mudra as a preparatory or counter mudra to help different yoga asanas or pranayama methods.
For optimum outcomes, comply with this respiration 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 power 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 the direction of one another, the prana strikes by means of the lungs and decrease stomach.
- Vitality strikes by means of 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 power all through the backbone, it opens all of the power chakras. When is the move of prana is directed in the direction of the photo voltaic plexus (Manipura Chakra), it improves the metabolism to reply higher in any careworn scenario.
- This mudra is useful in opening the sacred power channel, Sushumna Nadi that helps in reaching 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 power.
- Moreover 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 problem of slip disc if practiced for half-hour each day adopted by prana mudra for 10 minutes.
- It additionally helps in curing piles and therapeutic the prostate.
- Diabetic sufferers additionally expertise therapeutic results by means of 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 possibly can 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 help the backbone, breath, and inside steadiness. When paired with sluggish, deep respiration, it gently prompts your power 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 stress within the again muscle mass. Common observe with deep respiration can ease delicate again ache, particularly attributable to poor posture or sitting for lengthy hours.
2. Helps cleansing and lung enlargement
When mixed with deep respiration or pranayama, Merudanda Mudra helps increase the lungs, permitting for higher oxygen consumption. This helps the cleansing course of by serving to take away toxins by means of improved oxygen circulation and blood purification.
3. Improves respiratory and circulatory operate
This mudra encourages sluggish, rhythmic respiration, which boosts the operate 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 respiration prompts the abdomen space, gently massaging the interior 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 enhancing digestive hearth and balancing power move, this mudra helps wholesome metabolism. When performed repeatedly with breath management, it could possibly assist burn extra fats and cut 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 particularly helpful for lowering nervousness, restlessness, and scattered ideas.
7. Strengthens the backbone and prompts power channels (Nadis)
This mudra encourages correct posture and spinal alignment, which strengthens the again and core muscle mass. It additionally stimulates the move of prana by means of the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadis, enhancing the physique’s total power steadiness.
Conclusion
Merudanda Mudra is a straightforward but efficient observe for enhancing spinal well being and calming the thoughts. It suits simply into your each day routine and works effectively with meditation or respiration workout routines. Only a few minutes a day could make an actual distinction in how you’re feeling.
FAQs on Merudanda Mudra
1. Can Merudanda Mudra be practised whereas strolling?
No, Merudanda Mudra ought to be practised whereas seated or standing nonetheless to keep up posture and breath consciousness.
2. Is Merudanda Mudra appropriate for newcomers?
Sure, it’s simple to study and appropriate for newcomers, particularly when mixed with sluggish, deep respiration.
3. Can I practise Merudanda Mudra throughout being pregnant?
It’s typically secure, however pregnant girls ought to seek the advice of a yoga professional earlier than practising any mudra repeatedly.
4. What number of instances a day can I do Merudanda Mudra?
You possibly can practise it 1–3 instances a day, relying in your consolation and schedule.
5. Does Merudanda Mudra require mantra chanting?
No, chanting isn’t required, however you possibly can mix it with a mantra or meditation for deeper focus.
6. Can I do Merudanda Mudra with one hand?
It’s really helpful to make use of each palms for balanced power move, however it may be performed with one hand if wanted.
7. Is there a greatest time to practise Merudanda Mudra?
Morning is right for contemporary power, however it may be performed any time through the day while you really feel the necessity for focus or leisure.
8. Does Merudanda Mudra assist with posture correction?
Sure, it encourages upright sitting and consciousness of the backbone, which may help enhance posture over time.