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Merudanda Mudra is a robust hand gesture that helps spinal well being. Practising this mudra may also help relieve again ache and scale 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 fingers in your thighs, and with every deep breath, change the course 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 alter the gaze within the preliminary levels of follow.
Merudanda mudra which means
In Sanskrit, “merudanda” refers to “spinal column” and “mudra” means gesture. Its follow leaves massaging results on the spinal column aiding the movement 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 referred to as guru mudra because the thumb is actively used on this mudra and the thumb is related to the fireplace component. Similar to a guru (trainer) guides you from darkness to mild, the hearth component affiliation of this mudra offers you the wanted fireplace power to information your path.
Because of the movement of prana all through the backbone, Merudanda mudra helps to activate and stability all of the chakras. It additionally serves as an train to enhance the main focus 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 mentioned 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 mix 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 offers the mudra each religious and energetic significance.
Apparently, Merudanda Mudra visually resembles a thumbs-up gesture, which universally indicators that “every part 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, however it can be practised in two different variations, every aligning the thumb in a special course to boost the movement 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.

Tips on 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 fingers in your thighs with the palms dealing with 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 gradual deep breaths and maintain the mudra for 8-10 breaths.
- Roll your fingers 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.
- Finally, transfer your fingers 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 might pressure the hand muscle tissue or wrists.
- Individuals with extreme spinal accidents or persistent 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 movement.
- 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 keep focus.
- In the event you really feel any discomfort within the decrease again or shoulders, cease and alter your posture.
- Not appropriate for these with excessive ranges of restlessness or nervousness until carried out below supervision.
- Keep away from practising for lengthy durations at first; begin with 5–10 minutes and enhance progressively.
Time & length
Merudanda Mudra might 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 every day use.
You may practise this mudra as a preparatory or counter mudra to help different yoga asanas or pranayama strategies.
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, progressively enhance the length. Common follow helps promote calmness and helps spinal alignment and power stability.
Mechanism of working
Whereas performing Merudanda mudra the rotation of the thumbs steers the movement of prana to totally different areas of the physique.
- In Adho Merudanda mudra, when thumbs are pointing in the direction of one another, the prana strikes by way of the lungs and decrease stomach.
- Vitality strikes by way 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 movement of prana is directed in the direction of the photo voltaic plexus (Manipura Chakra), it improves the metabolism to reply higher in any careworn state of affairs.
- This mudra is helpful in opening the sacred power 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 pinnacle. Therefore, it additionally awakens the Kundalini power.
- Moreover this, Merudanda Mudra additionally stimulates the thymus gland. It produces hormones helpful 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 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 by way 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 fireplace.
- You may follow 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 stability. When paired with gradual, deep respiratory, 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 rigidity within the again muscle tissue. Common follow with deep respiratory can ease delicate again ache, particularly attributable to poor posture or sitting for lengthy hours.
2. Helps detoxing and lung growth
When mixed with deep respiratory or pranayama, Merudanda Mudra helps increase the lungs, permitting for higher oxygen consumption. This helps the detoxing course of by serving to take away toxins by way of 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 movement 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 fireplace and balancing power movement, this mudra helps wholesome metabolism. When carried out usually with breath management, it may possibly 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 decreasing 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 tissue. It additionally stimulates the movement of prana by way of the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadis, enhancing the physique’s general power stability.
Conclusion
Merudanda Mudra is a straightforward but efficient follow for bettering spinal well being and calming the thoughts. It matches simply into your every day routine and works properly with meditation or respiratory workouts. 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 must be practised whereas seated or standing nonetheless to keep up posture and breath consciousness.
2. Is Merudanda Mudra appropriate for learners?
Sure, it’s straightforward to be taught and appropriate for learners, particularly when mixed with gradual, deep respiratory.
3. Can I practise Merudanda Mudra throughout being pregnant?
It’s typically protected, however pregnant girls ought to seek the advice of a yoga knowledgeable earlier than practising any mudra usually.
4. What number of instances a day can I do Merudanda Mudra?
You may practise it 1–3 instances a day, relying in your consolation and schedule.
5. Does Merudanda Mudra require mantra chanting?
No, chanting shouldn’t be 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 beneficial to make use of each fingers for balanced power movement, however it may be carried out with one hand if wanted.
7. Is there a greatest time to practise Merudanda Mudra?
Morning is good for contemporary power, however it may be carried out any time throughout the day whenever 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 also help enhance posture over time.