Most of the people who come for one to one Yoga classes are looking for benefits to the physical and mental body and may not have real craving/ appetite to understand the philosophy yet.

Why does this matter? When they practice mula-bandha without knowing what it really is, it creates an illusion of doing an advanced practice.

Bandhas in simple language are closings/bridge/knot/tie/restraints/locks. It is important that we understand what are we locking/bridging/tying/restraining/closing.

Closing: the downward flow of energy

Bridge: The lower realm to the upper realm, the body to the mind, mind to the prana.

Knot: Creating a knot so that the energy once raised does not fall back to the lower realm of chakras

Tie: Tie the unruly tendencies of the mind

Restrain: the senses through pratyahara

Lock: locking at the level of Mula-adaha so that unlocking may happen of the mula-adhara and the floodgates of lock may allow the building up of the energetic and electrical impulse, pushing the energy upwards effortlessly.

How can you actually use bandhas?

There are three levels of practicing Bandhas:

1. At the somatic/physical level it is simply a muscular contraction and may help in toning some regions but that is not its real purpose. Just like asanas can build strength, help loose weight and act as work-out, however their real purpose is work-in. In the same context at the basic level at times Bandhas are used for toning organs/organ systems but that is taking them out of context.
2. At the psycho-somatic level, it is a transition of the practice from physical to subtle body.
3. At the pranic level, it happens merely with desire (ichcha-shakti), there is no physical movement/contraction necessary.

All bandhas are mudras! They are practiced to maintain/hold/lock a certain state of mind and prana. In order to do this, the mind has to be clear , gathered (ek-agra with pratya-ahara) and prana calibrated so that all the other four pranas are ready to merge into prana-prana.

In order to teach the bandhas as a practice it is important to share the philosophy and purpose behind it.

What is Mula-bandha (root lock)?

When we practice mula-bandha without knowing what it really is, it creates an illusion of doing an advanced practice. Apart from that we end up creating a strong contraction, tensing the muscles in the pelvic floor. The purpose of mula-bandha is not just toning the pelvic floor and organs, instead it is to relax the entire body.

When passion is rooted in contentment that is Mula bandha. The energy rises like the roaring of a lion and the hissing of a fierce snake, piercing through our weaknesses and transforming them as strengths. May we be established in that bandha that is essentially a liberation.

• Mula means total, or root, or foundation. So we can say that Mula-bandha is a foundational practice which strengthens our roots and allows for the sum total of energy held in the Mula-adahara region to rise up towards the higher centers of consciousness

• It is not just a contraction or hold at the physical level. Mula-bandha is the practice of redirection

• In everyday life, when we make choices out of need not greed, when we moderate instead of indulging in sensory pleasures, these are practical applications of Mula-bandha

• It is much easier to learn how to isolate a tissue and contract it versus how to discern making a rightful choice

• Mula-bandha is the grounds upon which we stand, our practice stands. These grounds have to be contentment with who and where we are. It does not mean to not have passion for growth but implies to have contentment with failures and sadness also

• When passion is rooted in contentment that is Mula bandha. The energy rises like the roaring of a lion and the hissing of a fierce snake, piercing through our weaknesses and transforming them as strengths. May we be established in that bandha that is essentially a liberation

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