Mulabandha is the root lock. It is so called because of
its location at the base of our nerve tree, the spinal column.
There is a difference in location for this bandha in males
and in females. In males the seat of mulabandha is the perineal
muscle which is located in front of the anus and behind the
genitals. In females the location is near the top of the
cervix.
A good way to understand its location is to imagine that
you have a need to go to the toilet and there is none in
sight. Which muscles would you use to resist this urge?
In the beginning one may contract the anus in order to
engage the appropriate area, but it is not necessary to
be a “tight ass” in
order to engage Mulabandha. It is more subtle than that. You
may utilize a technique given to women to assist in the toning
of the pelvic floor after childbirth. It is called the Keigel
technique.
While urinating, engage the muscles of the
pelvic floor and stop the flow of urine and then release
the contraction and let it flow again. This contraction will
engage more muscles than necessary but over time you may
learn to refine the action so that it is more specifically
focussed. In the beginning these locks may waver. With practice
it will become possible to hold them for the entire duration
of the practice. |
