The physical/energetic space at the base of the spine, in front of the tailbone, is known in Taoist Yoga as the Golden Urn, and in the Tibetan tradition as Snow Mountain. In Hindu yoga traditions, this is considered to be the home of Kundalini – a potent energy that lies dormant, until awakened by yoga practice. The “sun shining on snow mountain” visualization practice is one tool for gently awakening this energy.
Another technique for arousing this powerful energy is what is known as Moola Bandha (also spelled Mula Bandha). “Moola” here refers to the Muladhara or root Chakra – located at the root of our spine, in the perineum. Hui Yin – the first point on the Conception Vessel – is the equivalent, in the acupuncture system, of the Muladhara Chakra. “Bandha” is a Sanskrit term often translated as “lock.” This signifies a gathering and channeling of life-force energy, at certain locations within the subtle body. What works for me is to think of the Bandhas as the kind of “lock” that a ship goes through, when passing from one level of water to the next.
Moola Bandha is primarily an energetic/psychic process. When we’re first learning the practice, however, it’s very useful to begin with a physical movement that can initiate the more subtle levels of the practice. In the case of Moola Bandha, this physical practice is the gentle contraction of the central tendon of the pelvic floor. To find this tendon, we take our awareness, first, to a point about an inch in front of the anus, on the perineum (pelvic floor). This is Hui Yin. From there, we move our awareness a couple inches up from this point, into the body. This is the approximate location of the central tendon of the pelvic floor, and the Moola Bandha practice. (In a woman’s body, this is the location of the cervix.)
A truly wonderful introduction and guide to the practice of Moola Bhanda is Moola Bandha: The Master Key, by Swami Buddhananda. This book outlines the physical, emotional, and psychological benefits of this practice, as well as the ways in which it acts as a potent tool for the transformation of consciousness. Swami Buddhananda writes (p.31):
“Once control over the practice has been achieved, we can begin to slowly awaken mooladhara chakra and the kundalini shakti which lies within it. Then we may enjoy the bliss which arises from the union of prana and apana, nada and bindu, the union of the formed with the formless.”
This book will take you far in understanding the potential of Moola Bandha, and introducing you to the technique. As with any powerful yogic practice, it’s of course best to be guided by a flesh-and-blood Teacher.
