Lesson 119 - Q&A – Some other approaches to mulabandha

From: Yogani
Date: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:16pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: I am still having some difficulty with mulabandha also. It is very
difficult to keep the muscle flexed. Sometimes I'm not sure if it is
unless I flex it strongly. Are there any intervening exercises I can
do? If I just don't do it- I can't see how I will ever advance to the
stage where I am able- yet it takes all my effort to do it during
pranayam and I don't know if that is good.

A: It might be a bit easier if you do the gentle flexing on the
rising inhalation during spinal breathing and release it on the
descending exhalation. Then the breath will be a cue for flexing.
This is actually called asvini mudra, the alternating flexing and
releasing. If that does not work, then try a short flex at the bottom
and a short flex at the top during spinal breathing, again, the
breath is the cue. This last approach might be the easiest, as it is
a short flex and done. Once you get comfortable with that, then maybe
do two at the top and bottom of each cycle, and later move on to the
rising flex and no flex going down. Later, you can let it become more
spontaneous as it was originally given. Another thing you can do is
flexing exercises for ten or more repetitions a few times during the
day. It is just a matter of developing coordination and familiarly.
Then it becomes second nature. The sphincter is part of an organ of
spiritual ecstasy. We find them all over the body in yoga, sometimes
in the least expected places.

Where we'd like to end up with mulabandha/asvini is with spontaneous
subtle movements as ecstatic energy moves naturally inside us. It
will evolve gradually to that as our inner ecstatic conductivity
comes up. All the other bandhas and mudras will participate in
simultaneous coordination, so it will be like one spontaneous whole
body mudra going on subtly everywhere inside us. When it gets to that
stage we have found our new natural spiritual biology. One slip of
the eyes upward and we are in ecstatic bliss everywhere inside. Our
nervous system is permanently transformed to a higher mode of
functioning.

There is no one way to awaken mulabandha/asvini. There is no exact
formula. Experiment and see what works for you. It is supposed to
feel good. You may find an option that I have not mentioned that
works for you and does not distract excessively from other practices.
Of course, add siddhasana in with any of these mulabandha/asvini
combinations and there will likely be distraction for the short term.
That goes with the territory. It is a transition period filled with
delight, and it gets more delightful all the time. Eventually it calms
down to an unending divine smile radiating from within.

The guru is in you.

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