Moola Bandha (root lock)🔗

Beginners tend to contract both anal and perineum area. Moola bandha is only contraction of the perineum. This makes direct contact with the muladhara chakra. Controlled contraction of this lock awakens the kundalini.

Breathing - May be done with internal or external breath retention and jalandhara bandha.

Contraindications – do not practice during menstruation. May cause hyperactivity.

Benefits – Stimulates pelvic nerves, strengthens urogenital and excretory systems. Helps alleviate depression, psychosomatic and degenerative illnesses. Energizes and awakens muladhara chakra, seat of kundalini energy.

Technique

• 1. Sit in meditative asana with heels putting pressure on perineal/vaginal region.
• 2. Close the eyes, relax the body.
• 3. Hands in chin mudra.
• 4. Bring awareness to the perineal/vaginal region
• 5. Men bring awareness to, and contract area between anus and testes. Women bring awareness to, and contract area behind the cervix where uterus projects into vagina.
• 6. To start, contract only gently and hold, increasing time of hold slowly. Gradually increase the strength of contraction.
• 7. Do not hold breath while holding bandha
• 8. Release the bandha before.
• 9. It is contraction of only certain muscles in pelvic floor and not entire perineal area.