Yoga Practice Name
Manduki Mudra
Yoga Practice Branch
Ashtang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Practice Type
Hatha Yoga Category
Mudra
Steps and Description
- Sit in bhadrasana with the toes pointing outward.
- If it is not comfortable to sit with the toes pointing outward, sit in bhadrasana with the toes pointing inwards.
- The buttocks should rest on the floor.
- If this is still too difficult, place a folded blanket underneath the buttocks to apply firm pressure to the perineum, stimulating the region of mooladhara chakra.
- Place the hands on the knees, hold the spine and head straight.
- Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
- After a while, open the eyes and perform nasikagra
drishti.
Practice Keynotes
Cautions and Limitations
- The nose is related with mooladhara chakra through the sense of smell.
- This practice affects the brain centres related to man's most deep rooted instincts and drives.
- It calms the disturbances and fluctuations of the mind and balances ida and pingala nadis.
- Perfection of this practice leads directly to meditative state.
Contraindications
- People suffering from glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or those who have just had cataract surgery, lens implant or other eye operations, should not perform shambhavi without expert guidance.
General Benefits
- Physically, shambhavi mudra strengthens the eye muscles and releases accumulated tension in this area.
- Mentally, it calms the mind, removing emotional stress and anger.
- It develops concentration, mental stability and the state of thoughtlessness.
- Regular practice of shambhavi mudra retards degeneration of the pineal gland and is therefore recommended for children from the age of eight onwards to balance their emotional development.
Benefits for Disease
Depression