Moola Bandha – Root Lock

Introduction:

This bandha relates to mooladhar chakra and is termed as moola bandha. Moola means root or source.

This bandha is best performed in siddhasan as it helps give an automatic Moola Bandha and creates more awareness in this region. If siddhasan is difficult then one can sit in Padmasan or any other meditative asana.

Practicing the Bandha:

1. In the sitting position close your eyes, relax and become aware of the area which is the trigger point for mooladhara chakra. For men it is the perineal area, between the anus and genitals. One must concentrate on that area and just slightly in, about 1 cm, is the trigger point. For women the place is at the point of the cervix, where the uterus joins the vagina. The perineal muscles are also used. It can be very difficult to isolate these points as there is a tendency to also contract the anal and urinary sphincters. Over time one learns how to isolate the muscles.
2. There are a few ways to practice. One can just concentrate on this area, breathe normally and contract and relax as many times as is comfortable.
3. Another way is to inhale and contract, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale, relaxing. Repeating as per comfort.
4. Another is to contract, breathe normally and hold the bandha for as long as one can, then slowly release.
5. This bandha can also be practiced in certain balancing asanas to improve balance.
6. It is also beneficial if one contracts and pulls upward slightly.

Benefits for Women:

Tones the reproductive system and helps regulate the menstrual cycle

Helps to remove congestive period pain

Stimulates prana in the pelvic region, promoting health

Strengthens the pelvic muscles which is helpful during pregnancy

Post natally it tones and strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, speeding up recovery.

Anatomical focus:

Perineal area or cervix.

Awareness:

Mooladhar chakra

Do's:

Try to relax as much as possible

Keep focused on the point

Don't:

Hold too long if it’s not comfortable

Have any kind of strain

Benefits:

Stimulates pranic energy

Tones the reproductive, urinary and excretory systems

Realigns the panchkoshas

Tones the pelvic nerves

Helps one to have sexual control

Helps redirect sexual energy so it can be used for other purposes

Can awaken mooladhara chakra

Can help remove fears and take one out of depression

Prevents urinary incontinence

Removes fatigue

Redirects energy in the upward direction.

Preparation for tribandha and pranayama.

Therapeutic Applications:

Menstrual disorders

Period pain – practiced throughout the month

Infertility

Depression

Precautions & Contra-indications:

Avoid during menstruation or if there is any pain when practicing.

Avoid if there is chronic constipation.

Be cautious if one has haemorrhoids.

Duration:

As many times as is comfortable. The bandha can also be held for up to 5 minutes over time.

Variations & Tips:

If siddhasan is difficult one can slightly bring the foot under the thigh and move the body forward so that the heel more easily presses against the body and improves the moola bandha.

Preparatory Poses:

Siddhasan

Follow Up Practices:

Tribandha and pranayam

References in the ancient texts:

The bandha has been described thoroughly in the third chapter of Hatha Pradipika.

Parshnibhagen sampeedya yonimakunchayet gudam |
Apanmurdhwamakrushya mulbandhobhidhiyate ||
3-61

Meaning -

The heel should press the perineum, the muscles should be contracted and the gas (apan vayu) should be lifted upwards. This results in moola bandha. Further it is described as:

Adhogatimapan va urdhwargam kurute balat |
Aakunchanen tam prahurmulbandham hi yoginah || 3-62
Parnapanou nadbindu mulbandhen chaikatam |
Gatva yogasya samsiddhidam gachshato natra samshayah || 3-63

Meaning -

Apan vayu is generally in the downward direction. With deliberate contraction the apan vayu is lifted upwards. This is known as moola bandha. The bandha is to be performed till the time the gas is forced upwards. Hatha Yoga Pradipika, in further shlokas, describe this bandha as when the prana, apan, the sound and the point (nad and bindu) will merge with each other due to this bandha, then one can be said to succeed in yoga.

The effects of this bandh are described as under:

Apanpranayoraikyam kshayo mutrapurishayoh |
Yuva bhavati vrudhopi satatam mulbandhanat || 3-65

Meaning -

The regular study of moola bandha results in merging apan and prana. The excretions are minimised and an old person turns into a young one. Though, as a matter of practice, an old person may not be transformed into a youth, the general meaning can be guessed as the disappearance of the signs of old age with return of the enthusiasm of youth.

The next four shlokas in Hatha Yoga Pradipika describe how the bandha is related to awakening of Kundalini power. Hatha Yoga Pradipika says that when the apan vayu is forced upwards it enters the vanhimandal. The pressure of this vayu results in increasing the fire. Apan vayu and this fire heat the prana. This results in igniting the fire in the stomach. The kundalini power, which is supposed to be asleep, awakens like a snake hit by a stick. It then enters the sushumna nadi (brahma nadi) like a snake entering its hole. Hence, every sadhaka must study moola bandha regularly.

The thirteenth shloka in the third chapter of Gherand Samhita describes this bandha. The description is as given above as in Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

However, the effects of this bandh are described as:

Mulbandhah paro bandho jaramarannashanah |
Prasadadasya bandhasya sadhayetsarvavanchitam || 3-18

Meaning -

This is a superior type of bandha which results in reversal of old age and the death. The study of this bandha results in fulfilment of any desire. This description is a bit exaggerated but one can understand its importance on health.