How To Do Manduki Mudra (Gesture Of The Frog) | Breathing Pattern | Awareness | Contra-indications | Benefits | Practice note | Note
Manduki Mudra (gesture of the frog) is a kaya mudra (postural mudras).
How To Do Manduki Mudra (Gesture Of The Frog)
- Sit in bhadrasana. If possible without straining, adjust so that the toes are pointing outward.
- The buttocks should rest on the floor. A folded blanket may also be placed underneath the buttocks to apply firm pressure to the perineum, stimulating the region of mooladhara chakra.
- Place the hands on the knees, holding the spine and head straight.
- Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
- This is manduki asana.
- Open the eyes and perform nasikagra drishti.
- When the eyes become tired, close them for a few seconds. Continue the practice for 5 minutes, until the mind and senses become introverted.
Breathing Pattern While Doing Manduki Mudra – Gesture Of The Frog
- Breathing should be slow and rhythmic.
Awareness
- Physical – on the nose tip.
- Spiritual – on mooladhara chakra.
Contra-indications while doing Manduki Mudra – Gesture Of The Frog
- People with glaucoma should not practise this much. Those with diabetic retinopathy or those who have just had cataract surgery, lens implant or other eye operations should not perform nasikagra drishti without the guidance of a competent teacher. Manduki asana should not be practised unless the ankles, knees and hips are very flexible.
Benefits of doing Manduki Mudra – Gesture Of The Frog
- Manduki asana is a counterpose for cross-legged meditative asanas. Manduki mudra activates mooladhara chakra. It calms the disturbances and fluctuations of the mind and balances ida and pingala nadis, leading directly to meditation.
Practice note
- Manduki mudra is an advanced variation of nasikagra drishti. It should be performed in mild light so that the tip of the nose can be seen clearly.
Note
- The word manduki means ‘frog’. This mudra is so named because the sitting posture resembles a frog at rest. This practice also gives the basis for the kriya of the same name.