Moola Bhanda

The practice of bandhas was highly respected by yogi practitioners, so a spiritual aspirant wouldn’t be introduced to the bandhas until after he had mastered many complex asanas, pranayamas and mudras. Bandha can be defined as a lock that keeps the energy from escaping. It locks or contracts certain physical muscles. The process of unlocking is simultaneous on mental and spiritual levels.  

 

Buddhananda suggests that in order to remove mental and physical tension, one must first learn not to exaggerate the tension already existing in the body by consciously feeling the contraction of each muscle.  Bhandas are considered special muscles because they are associated with energy centers in the spine and brain.

 

The author focuses on three principal bandhas:

 

Moola Bandha: perineal contraction.  The main role of moola bandha is to lock and redirect energy.  Energy is centralized at the site of contraction so that we can redirect it for useful work.

 

Uddiyana Bandha: abdominal contraction. It compresses the digestive organs.

The solar plexus is squeezed and in return a flood of energy is generated in the abdomen and chest.

 

Jalandhara Bandha: throat compression.  By reducing sympathetic tone one achieves a sense of rest, relaxation and  general wellbeing.

 

Bandhas help us focus our attention and maintain our mind and body in the present so we can connect with our inner self. Bandhas are directly associated with the chakras which means they manipulate energetic centers in the body. The Reading focuses on moola bhanda, which is the most important bhanda because it is known as the roots.  The practice of moola bhanda can bring us many physical but more importantly pranic and mental benefits, such as:

 

·         Spontaneous realignment of the physical, mental and spiritual body

·         Mental relaxant

·         Release the brahma granti

·         Serves as a trigger to “Awake the kundalini”

 

“If the wise yogi is desirous of crossing the ocean of the world, let him practice this bhanda in secret, in a retired place”

 

There is a lot written about moola bhanda in several classic and modern pieces of yoga literature. They all refer to the practice of moola bhanda as something difficult to understand and reach, but once one learns the correct way to perform it, one can rise to a new level of spirituality, mental and physical consciousness that gives a different sense of life.

 

Contraction of moola bhanda varies according to sex; in the male it is the perineal body while in a female body is the area around the cervix. It is important to know that the perineum is not a single muscle, but a group of muscles. Through the practice of moola bhanda, the unconscious, instinctive, uncontrolled, selfish, actions are transformed into intuition, selflessness, peace and divine qualities.

Dynamic equilibrium, Samadhi

 

It is very hard to describe the kundalini experience, probably because it is a personal experience that one needs to feel in order to understand it. Every human being can take a different feeling from it. According to Sannella who documented many personal experiences, the kundalini experience is:

 

Spontaneous movements

Breathing pattern: all different kinds of breathing can occur during kundalini

Body sensations: spontaneous contraction of moola bhanda, vibration, orgasmic, all embracing sensations, pain in many parts of the body where the body is not purified.

Internal sounds: whistling, hissing, chirping, drums, bells, ocean,

Changes in the thought process

Detachment

Dissociation

Unusual or extreme emotions

Psychic experiences

Single seeing:

 

One can experience one, many or none of these body manifestations before reaching the state of peace and consciousness. Many people undergoing an awakening have been seen as insane. However, doctors are becoming aware of the difference between derangement and expansion of mental faculties. It is very important to use the proper sequence of practice and go slow along the spiritual path. One must remember that yoga is about constant practice and repetition. If gone through step by step, it’s a much simpler process of body purification.

 

For kundalini to rise, the body must be able to cope with its force and the nervous system must be strong, healthy and mature. This can only be attained with discipline. Kundalini is the secret key to the realization of one´s own essential nature and can be reached through the perfection of moola bhanda.

 

In conclusion, bhandas are an essential and difficult part of the path of yoga, which is the process of mental, spiritual and physical enlightenment and equilibrium.