Changes

*Mula means root, source, origin, or cause and basis, or foundation. It refers to the principal region between the anus and the genitals. Contact the muscles of this area, and lift them vertically towards the navel. Simultaneously, the lower anterior abdomen below the navel is pressed back wards and upwards towards the spine. The downward course of apana vayu is changed and then made to flow up to unite with the prana vayu, which has its seat in the region of the chest.

*The practice of contracting the anal spincter muscles hepls one to master mula bandha. Asva means a horse. It should be learnt while doing various asanas, espicially tadasana, sirsasana, sarvangasana, urdhava, dhanurasana, ustrasana and paschimottasana.

*There is a grave danger in attempting to learn the uddiyana and mula bandhas by oneself. Improper performance of the former will cause involuntary discharge of semen and loss of vitality, while that if the later will seriously weaken the practitioner, who will lack virility. Even the correct performance of mula bandha has its own dangers. It increases sexual retentive power, which the practitioner is tempted to abuse. If the succumbs to this temptation, all his dromant desires may be aroused and become lethal lika a sleeping serpent stirred by a stick. With the mastery of the three bandhas, the yogi is at the cross – roads of his destiny, one road leading to bhoga and the other to yoga or union with the supreme soul. The yogi, however, feels greater attraction for hid creator. Normally, the senses open outwards and are attracted to object and follow the path of bhoga. If this direction is changed, so that they turn inwards, then they follow the path of yoga. The yogi's senses are turned inwards to meet the source of all creation. It is when the aspirant has mastered the three bandhas, that the guidance of a guru is most essential, for under proper guidance this increased power is sublimated to higher and nobler proper pursuits. The practitioner is then known as a celibate. Having mastered the sexual urge naturally but not by force, he stops dissipating his virlity. He is fully potent yet a master of himself. He then acquires moral and apiritual power, which will shine forth like the sun.