Thumbs up or Mudra , is it the same?

"Flexibility of spine leads to the flexibility of mind."

Did you see anything interesting in the picture on the right? No? You will!

By the time you complete reading this piece, you will be amazed to see the cues that the human mind provides us to stay in good health.

Let me therefore start with a small story about a word I learnt a couple of years back i.e. “Merudanda”. In Sanskrit/Odia/Hindi our spine is referred to as “Merudanda” which comprises of two words, “Meru” + “Danda”.

Indian mythology states that "Meru" is the abode of the gods or the center of the universe just like the spine lies in the center of our body. The combination of the two terms “Meru” and “Danda” refers to “the scepter of the sacred Mount Meru.” It shares a resemblance with the central support of our skeletal system, the spinal column. Hence, the name.

In yoga, mudra means gestures and the Merudanda mudra (gesture) resembles the thumbs-up gesture that expresses that everything is okay. That is exactly what is observed in one’s spinal health by performing this mudra.

Now many of us do not know anything about either mudras or merudanda. But we still practice small gestures like the one in the picture attached, that heals our body and builds better and healthier body functions. Fascinating how our body, mind and soul makes us work towards our own happiness and wellbeing!

Did you find it interesting? Let me know in the comments below.