Yoga: Mula Bandha

You might have noticed I'm not that into some of the more spiritual aspects of yoga (the chakras leave me a bit cold and I never know when it's a new moon, clueless frankly) but the bandhas, now that needs to be known! 

Bandhas are locks in yoga, both physical and spiritual, and many tomes have been written about their importance. But, I have the spiritual range of a spaniel and it's better to keep it simple and physical. I'm also of the view if you're actually doing the physical bit you'll get the spiritual upsides of it without having to know all the ins and outs. (And if I spouted about them I'd look a bit of a dick.)

One of the locks is your pelvic floor - mula bandha, the root lock. While you're practising take the time to think about engaging your pelvic floor when you're trying to go deeper in a pose. My teacher (God bless her, she has the patience of a saint...) reminded me of this and it worked like bloody magic when I was trying to do hip opening moves. When I worked on pulling up the pelvic floor my hips suddenly relaxed! Breathe in, breathe out then pull up.

More on mula bandha from someone who knows their bandha onions, bunions?