Mul (Mool) Bandh

The root lock, Mulbandh, is a powerful contraction of muscles and stimulation of energies that helps to redirect sexual energy into creativity and healing energy. The root lock is often applied at the end of exercises and meditations, and helps to seal the healing and uplifting effects and stabilize your senses. Root lock is a smooth motion that consists of three parts.

To apply the root lock:

Sit with a straight spine

Contract the anal sphincter and feel the muscles lift upward and inward.

Keep these muscles contracted and then contract the area around the sex organ. (You will experience a slight lift and rotation inward of the pubic bone that is like trying to stem the flow of urine.)

Contract the lower abdominal muscles and the navel point towards your spine.

Apply these three actions together in a smooth, rapid and flowing motion, and hold.

The root lock can be applied with the breath in or out and is sometimes held during and throughout a meditation or exercise. This can be done because the muscles used in the root lock are not the muscles used for breathing or the movement of your upper torso.

The root lock blends the energies of Prana and Apana, the energies that generate and eliminate, respectively.

By mixing these energies, a pressure is created that helps direct your energy upward and through your physical body and your chakras in a moderate, stable and balanced way.

The Knot of Brahma - When you apply the Mulbandh consciously and correctly, it is said to "untie the knot of Brahma". The Knot of Brahma is located at the first chakra, at the base of your spine. When the knot is untied and the energy is flowing smoothly, you feel balanced and free from your attachments to form and the senses.

The Great Lock - Mahabandh - is the application of all three locks at the same time, with your breath held out. Mahabandh is practiced after many meditations, exercises and pranayam exercises, in various postures, and with different mudras (yogic hand positions) and mantras.

When the great lock is applied consciously and correctly, the body is said to enter into a healing state of balance. Yogic tradition tells us that the healing effects of this lock may help with menstrual cramps, poor circulation and preoccupation with mental fantasies.

We must apply discipline to work through the blocks that keep us from moving towards consciousness and kindness. The practice of these locks can help. Apply them consciously, whenever indicated, and feel the effects.

3HO
Kundalini Yoga Basics

Tuning In - Each Kundalini Yoga session begins with the repetition of the Adi Mantra ... Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo. Pronounced Onnnggg Namo … Gooroo Daaaaayyvv Namo.

Kriya - Kriya literally means a "completed action" utilizing a combination of posture, mantra, breath and movement - designed to bring about a specific effect on the body, mind, and consciousness. A Kriya may be one specific exercise or sequence of exercises.

Pranayam - The practice of Kundalini Yoga involves the use of various yogic breathing techniques beginning with conscious long deep breathing.

Meditation - The Practice of Kundalini Yoga Meditation involves the use of various mantras, mudras, postures and yogic breathing techniques.

Sound and Mantra - Kundalini Yoga practice uses both sound and mantra, audible or silent. Mantra is a syllable or combination of syllables that help focus the mind.

Deep Relaxation - Deep relaxation is as important as exercise or meditation. Deep relaxation helps release stress from both the mind and the body adjusts the glandular balance and allows the body’s natural self-healing energy to function, resulting in mental clarity and physical ease. "When you’re at ease, there’s no dis-ease". Yogi Bhajan

Projection Prayer - After adjusting your body and mind and experiencing your connection to spirit, you take time to concentrate your newly focused energy toward peace, healing, and love – positive thoughts.

Practicing the Locks

Sit on the heels and spread the knees apart. Put the palms on the thighs.

1. Inhale, exhale and apply the root lock then inhale and relax it.

2. Inhale deeply, exhale completely and apply the diaphragm lock. Then relax the lock and inhale gently.

3. Then apply the neck lock and relax it.

4. Repeat exercises 1, 2 ,3 in a continuous sequence. The body will sweat, the breath naturally goes out on the first two locks. Continue for 3 minutes. This will give you the ability to distinguish the locks from each other. You will also develop a sense of how the energy moves in the pranic nadis (nerve channels) and spine.

Disclaimer: The practice of yoga has benefited millions of people, but this article is not intended as medical advice. It’s intent is solely for information and education. The therapeutic benefits attributed come from centuries-old yogic tradition. Please consult a healthcare professional should the need for one be indicated.

Videos of Kundalini Yoga Basics

The Locks

Tratakam Meditation

Tratakam is the meditative technique of gazing. Gazing with the eyes is recognized as a powerful method for focusing life force energy. In the yogic Scripture it says, "even a glance from the eyes of a holy man can cure mental and physical imbalances." Gazing with the eyes is recognized as a powerful technique for focusing pranic energy. The pranic energy gives life to the atom, all material, and the mind.

Tratakam Gaze
Gaze into these eyes for 3 minutes for affect.

The laws of regulation and interaction of pranic energy form the basis of most occult sciences, and explain many obscure passages in the scriptures. The general technique of gazing is called Tratakam (Trataka, Tratakum). Applying Tratakam to a particular image of a teacher is Guru Yoga. The stories surrounding the practice of gazing are so many, the simple truths have become obscured. If one reads the old literature of yogic and mystic lore that was published around the turn of the century, there are descriptions of yogis gazing at the sun all day.

This ancient literature describes a glance that hypnotizes, removing one's will, and eyes that shine beams of light for miles. In many modern movies, the power of eye communication is used as main technique to represent emotional states. At the base of all this, there is an exciting and different understanding of man, energy, and the nature and function of vision.

More about Tratakam.

   *Consultation with a health care professional should occur before applying adjustments or treatments to the body, consuming medications or nutritional supplements and before dieting, fasting or exercising. None of these activities are herein presented as substitutes for competent medical treatment.

   ®
Khalsa
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