Manduka in Sanskrit means frog. Manduki mudra is a frog gesture and one of the Kaya mudra. By practicing Manduki mudra we maintain postural correction and improvement of the respiratory system.
Manduki mudra is one of the mudras mentioned in various ancient yogic textbooks like Gheranda Samhita Upanishad etc. It works for improving your abdomen functionalities. Your upper half of the body, chest portion also get benefitted. It helps various other postural improvements of our body or whole body in various ways.
Table of Contents
The Yogic Philosophy of Manduki Mudra
- Yogic Sense: Kaya Mudras (Postural Correction, Taste Healing )
- Style: Hatha Yoga
- Chakras: Mooladhara, Visuddhi
- Nadis: Sushumna
- Physical Presence: Tongue, Roof of Mouth
- Strengthens: Leg, Waist, Tongue
- Duration: 5 – 10 minutes
- Repetition: If Body Permits
In Gheranda Samhita it is mentioned as testing the nectar or Amrita, which trips from our Sahasrara chakra. There is a specific link between Amrita and steady and regular practice of manduki mudra. Regular practice can lead to having a test of the Amrita also.
Practicing manduki mudra seems very easy, and indeed it is a very easy mudra. It is suggested to be comfortable while you practice any mudra. Practice yogasanas before practicing mudra to get the maximum benefit.
Manduki Mudra and Tongue Movement
In Manduki mudra we perform tongue movement, rotating tongue, or moving tongue in upward, downward, right, left direction. Some people choose to rotate the tongue 5 times clockwise and anticlockwise subsequently.
Manduki Mudra and Kriya Yoga
It is considered one of the sacred gestures performed in kriya yoga also. A specific kriya called- kundalini kriya for activating the kundalini Shakti is practiced along with manduki mudra.
Sometimes it is practiced to look at the tip of our nose also which is called Nasikagra Drishti also can be practiced as a variation of Manduki Mudra.
Benefits of Manduki Mudra
- There are many amazing benefits we achieved through manduki mudra.
- It rejuvenates our mental and physical health and provides a calm and composed state of mind.
- It increases mucus and saliva inside our mouth and throat. The air passage or food passage which helps to improve our digestion gets cleared by this mudra.
- It activates the Mooladhara chakra or also known as the root chakra.
- While you sit in a position of frog, the perineum touches the floor and activates the life energy that exists in the root chakra.
- For those who have a speaking problem, Throat problem, etc. this chakra helps a lot by strengthening and making a flexible tongue.
- Inside the mouth rotating it in a different direction your problem relieves to a great extent.
- Your leg muscles strengthen by this posture. Your hips and thighs become flexible and stretchable.
- Improvement in the taste happens while practicing regularly.
- The nectar or Amrita which is referred to from the book called Amrita Siddhi, drops from our Sahasrara chakra. It helps to rejuvenate our aging process and overall system.
- Our face glows, keeping in an impression of reverse aging.
Manduki Mudra: Step-By-Step Instructions
- Sit in vajrasana keeping yourself in a very relaxed state.
- Sit in such a way so that your heels stay on either side of your butt and keeping the perineum on the floor.
- Keep your hands above your knee.
- Separate your legs as much as possible and feet apart while you sit.
- Keep your spine and neck aligned with your head.
- Keep breathing normally.
- Keep your eyes closed and relax yourself.
- Now close your mouth and keep it close from the beginning till the end while you practice manduki mudra.
- Rotate your tongue inside the mouth, and try to touch the roof (the soft portion or palate) of your mouth with the tip of your tongue.
How long to Practice Manduki Mudra
Keep on rotating your tongue inside the mouth for about 5 minutes depending on your physical capacity. Keep practicing 2 -3 rounds steadily. You will feel the improvement in every dimension of your life.
Advance Variations of Manduki Mudra
Keep your eyes open and relaxed. Gaze in front to a point. It’s not necessary to gaze at the tip of your nose or maintaining Nasikagra Drishti. It is essentially a variation.
Therapeutic Applications of Manduki Mudra
- Speech disorder
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Mudras Related to Manduki Mudra
Preparatory Mudra
- Shanmukhi mudra
- Yoga Mudra
- Chinmaya Mudra
Follow-up Mudra
- Akashi mudra
- Tadagi Mudra
Beginner’s Tip of Manduki Mudra
For beginners try to rotate your tongue for 2 to 3 minutes. Take a break in between for 1 minute, leaving your tongue normal position. And practice once again for 3 to 4 rounds.
Keep shifting your focus from your perineum to Sahasrara chakra or any place inside the mouth.
Contraindications and Cautions of Manduki Mudra
- If you have undergone a recent surgery on your back or in your butt please do not practice manduki mudra.
- If you are suffering from a diabetes problem restrain yourself.
- Do not practice manduki Mudra if you have any issues in your leg, thighs, or ankle portion.
- If you have undergone any surgery on your leg do not practice this mudra
FAQ’s on Manduki Mudra
Is Mandukasana is same as manduki mudra?
It is not the same, but there are fewer differences between manduki mudra and mandukasana. In mandukasana you bend in front, also called bhekasana. You hold your hands attach to your abdomen and move in front and bend in mandukasana.
Whereas in manduki mudra you sit straight and keep your perineum on the floor. You rotate your tongue inside the mouth. In this way, they are two different postures.
Does Manduki mudra really work?
Yes, of course!!! You keep practicing manduki mudra for a month or so, you will start seeing rather than feeling the difference. You will achieve different things. Such as, your perception and sense of taste improvement happen.
In a sense, the Saliva gets increased inside your mouth. Keep practicing yoga for 15 minutes and after that practice manduki mudra for achieving loads of benefits.
How manduki mudra helps in reverse aging?
While you practice manduki mudra essentially the nectar or the Amrita (A perceptual fluid) drips from the Sahasrara chakra. While rotating your tongue inside the mouth and with gradual practice you’ll start seeing a certain glow in your face.
The wrinkles which are supposed to happen with the age reduced to a certain extent. Your overall impression of the physical body improves a lot with time. This gives a certain impression in your appearance or looks that you are getting reverse aging factor with your physical appearance.
Is manduki mudra helps in curing eye disease?
Manduki mudra helps in improving the spinal issue, leg problem, and taste issue. This happens inside your mouth. It helps in rejuvenating the skin. In that way, it helps to improve all the muscles related to your eyes. There is no such article written which helps in curing eye disease through manduki mudra.
Conclusion
This mudra essentially looks like the frog posture but it is practiced for many different activities. It’s a simple posture and just rotating tongue and sitting like a frog can lead to enormous rejuvenation inside our physical aspect. Emotionally, spiritually you will become a stronger person.
Further Reading
Have you enjoyed reading about “Top Benefits of Manduki Mudra | How to Do Manduki Mudra”? Also, check various Topics on Yoga and related topics on Yoga. Relevant issues like Mudra and Asana also. Take a look at our collection of articles about Mudra, books as well as other categories in health & Inspiring Indians Life also. Alternatively, read our article about the top benefits & other interesting ideas for various vegetables in our daily groceries.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7396129/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4438173/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6145966/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871312/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934951/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332036702_Therapeutic_effects_of_Yoga_Mudras