Mula Bandha is our root lock, and we can use it during our yoga practice either as a gentle lock that we engage lighting during active postures or as a more challenging bandha that we engage with more power, hold for a few seconds, and then release. The second type of practice is often done during pranayama when the lungs are emptied before taking another breath. Today, we’ll talk about the gentle bandha that we engage during active postures, which is held gently enough to continue it throughout our practice as needed.

The Mula Bandha is located in the pelvic region between the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles. During root lock, the pelvic floor is contracted and lifted towards the spine. Again, in today’s lesson, we are discussing using Mula Bandha to help us learn the importance of having a solid foundation that underlies all movements. Engaging root lock increases stability in the pelvis, which creates a safer environment for spinal movement. We should find a balance of stability without over-contracting.

From a subtle energy standpoint, engaging Mula Bandha is believed to help with the flow of prana. Our prana or life force is channeled throughout each layer of our being through the vayus. In particular, our root lock impacts apana vayu and prana vayu. Apana vayu is located in the pelvic floor and lower abdominal region with energy flow downwards and out. Prana-Vayu is situated in the head, centered in the third-eye, and its energy pervades the chest region. The flow of Prana-Vayu is inwards and upward. Thirumoolar mentions the vayus many times in the Tirumantiram – both the 5 main and 5 sub vayus.

Engagement of our root lock helps apana vayu flow upward to meet prana vayu. This facilitates the Kundalini awakening. Thirumoolar mentions Kundalini many times throughout his work.

591: Practice of Kundalini Yoga

Bind the Muladhara
Raise the Prana breath upward
Through the spinal hollow course it
And within in aptness retain,
And like a stork at stream’s head
Sit calm
In singleness of thought;
Well may you live forever and ever

Remember, bandhas are an important part of our practice in Thirumoolar’s Ashtanga Therapeutic Yoga and should not be disregarded, especially during our more demanding standing postures when we need more stability. However, we need to balance contraction with relaxation. For example, we could use a gentle root lock during a seated forward fold, or we could choose to relax into the pose completely. Work to find the balance of effort and ease within each pose and each practice.

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