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Moola Banda: the Master Key
Moola Bandha - the Master Key is for those dedicated yoga practitioners researching for the master key to unlock the abode of maha kundalini. Little has been written about the ancient practice of bandha, which is regarded as an important aspect of both hatha and kundalini yoga. Moola Bandha is a simple yet dynamic practice with profound physical, mental and spiritual benefits for the practitioner. The text focuses on the theory and practice of bandha. The physical, pranic and psychotherapeutic effects are explored, including the relationship between moola bandha and acupuncture. A concise practical section includes both preliminary practices and advanced techniques to enable the practitioner to pursue this sadhana to the utmost, thus awakening the primal energy within. Includes the drawings and diagrams.
- GenresSpiritualityHealth
140 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 24, 2011
Moola Bandha: The Master Key describes a system of muscle exercises and locks that lead to a release of pranic energy in the body and ultimately to spiritual enlightenment. Swami Buddhananda defines a "bandha" as a bind, restraint, or lock. The idea is that "by locking or contracting certain muscles on the physical level a subtle process of 'unlocking' goes on simultaneously on mental and pranic levels" (2). By working with bandhas in conjunction with pranayama breathing exercises, a variety of physical benefits are said to occur, calming the heart rate and blood pressure, harmonizing the function of bodily systems, and creating a sense of relaxation. Bandha practice is also said to improve flow of pranic energy in the body, activating the chakras and leading to the release of kundalini energy and to heightened states of consciousness.
The most important of these muscle locks or bandhas is moola bandha, or perineal contraction, the subject of this book. "Moola" means root or foundation, and moola bandha refers to the contraction of the muscles at the "root" of the spine/trunk at the perineum. The physical contraction of moola bandha is useful in treating problems of the lower abdomen such as digestive or sexual disorders. However, moola bandha also involves a spiritual/psychic contraction of the mooladhara chakra. This has the effect of activating our latent sexual energy and channeling it upward for spiritual awakening.
The first half of the book gives background on bandhas and moola bandha in particular, as well as on mooladhara chakra and kundalini energy; it situates moola bandha in the context of ancient scripture, discusses physical aspects and pranic effects of moola bandha, and describes how moola bandha can be used in a therapeutic context. Thus prepared, the reader can move on to the second half of the book, which details several practices of moola bandha, including specific instructions and illustrations. This provides the real meat of the book - everything that came before is simply building to this point. The section on practices operns with techniques appropriate for any beginner, then moves on to gradually more advanced techniques as the aspirant progresses in her practice. Attention is paid to the anatomic differences between men and women as applied to the practice of moola bandha, making this book a good resource for truly any spiritual seeker.
The most important of these muscle locks or bandhas is moola bandha, or perineal contraction, the subject of this book. "Moola" means root or foundation, and moola bandha refers to the contraction of the muscles at the "root" of the spine/trunk at the perineum. The physical contraction of moola bandha is useful in treating problems of the lower abdomen such as digestive or sexual disorders. However, moola bandha also involves a spiritual/psychic contraction of the mooladhara chakra. This has the effect of activating our latent sexual energy and channeling it upward for spiritual awakening.
The first half of the book gives background on bandhas and moola bandha in particular, as well as on mooladhara chakra and kundalini energy; it situates moola bandha in the context of ancient scripture, discusses physical aspects and pranic effects of moola bandha, and describes how moola bandha can be used in a therapeutic context. Thus prepared, the reader can move on to the second half of the book, which details several practices of moola bandha, including specific instructions and illustrations. This provides the real meat of the book - everything that came before is simply building to this point. The section on practices operns with techniques appropriate for any beginner, then moves on to gradually more advanced techniques as the aspirant progresses in her practice. Attention is paid to the anatomic differences between men and women as applied to the practice of moola bandha, making this book a good resource for truly any spiritual seeker.
August 20, 2012
This was all-around a decent book, but not great.
The book is divided into roughly three main parts with multiple sections. Part one contains an extensive introduction to what moola bandha is and its possible effects on the practitioner. Part two talks about the association of moola bandha with Kundalini awakening. It details the separation of physical effects from the psychic senstation that arises from stimulating the mooladhara chakra by engaging the physical bandha. Part three is a nice section of suggested asanas and practices to help isolate and properly feel moola bandha.
Pros
- Short, compact and to the point.
- Contains a lot of information not found anywhere else
- Includes a glossary of terms and reference section for further reading
- Good practice section.
- Nice help on proper location and isolation of the bandha.
Cons
- Part one was slightly repetitive and hence made it feel like the book bounced around a bit.
- The major area of concern for the book is the list of unsubstatiated claims made in the moola therapy section on diseases and illnesses. While some of these claims may or may not be true, there are no references or notes to scientific studies included that back up these claims. Hence, the information contained in this section must be considered as anecdotal. There is a references section in the back of the book, but no mention is made as to where any of these claims can be verified.
- a minor ding, the diagram and information on contained in practice section on page 80-81 would have been nice if placed earlier in part 1 on locating moola bandha (around page 15 or so).
Still, a good reference for any yoga practitioner.
The book is divided into roughly three main parts with multiple sections. Part one contains an extensive introduction to what moola bandha is and its possible effects on the practitioner. Part two talks about the association of moola bandha with Kundalini awakening. It details the separation of physical effects from the psychic senstation that arises from stimulating the mooladhara chakra by engaging the physical bandha. Part three is a nice section of suggested asanas and practices to help isolate and properly feel moola bandha.
Pros
- Short, compact and to the point.
- Contains a lot of information not found anywhere else
- Includes a glossary of terms and reference section for further reading
- Good practice section.
- Nice help on proper location and isolation of the bandha.
Cons
- Part one was slightly repetitive and hence made it feel like the book bounced around a bit.
- The major area of concern for the book is the list of unsubstatiated claims made in the moola therapy section on diseases and illnesses. While some of these claims may or may not be true, there are no references or notes to scientific studies included that back up these claims. Hence, the information contained in this section must be considered as anecdotal. There is a references section in the back of the book, but no mention is made as to where any of these claims can be verified.
- a minor ding, the diagram and information on contained in practice section on page 80-81 would have been nice if placed earlier in part 1 on locating moola bandha (around page 15 or so).
Still, a good reference for any yoga practitioner.
December 15, 2024
A comprehensive explanation of the yogic concept of Mool Bandha.
September 28, 2017
Can't recommend it enough. As a yoga teacher it's a subject teachers refer to yet rarely explain. I buy it for students I know are seeking greater understand of ALL of the wisdom of this ancient science of yoga.
October 28, 2021
Possibly the only concise manual on discovering the most important yogic ‘lock’ - the moola bandha, located at/near the perineum. The first half was more technical than I expected, explaining the anatomical and scientific effects of engaging the energy fields around the lower part of the body, an area we tend not to focus on but that contains the root of our internal power. I spent a long time on the second half, which provides practical exercises and tips on how to find and unlock your moola bandha. The explanations in this deceivingly slim volume are clear and very helpful. Read in tandem with a supportive guru and a consistent practice, it can be a good guide to harnessing your potential.
January 16, 2021
An excellent short description of the importance of moola bandha, also known as the root lock, to body, mind, psyche and spirit. The second half of the book is descriptions of practices to practice the technique. This book should be read by anyone practicing or teaching yoga of any sort. I would have liked some diagrams in the first half of the book to better illustrate the positions of organs mentioned and the descriptions.
January 31, 2024
Author provides concise explanation of the titled lock, as well as other yogic locks and explanation of the moola dhara chakra, as well as other chakras, and how they operate. The author supports how these locks and chakras work using scientific and medical explanations. Of great interest to me was a whole chapter explaining the overlap and similarities in acupuncture philosophy and knowledge to the locks and chakras.
October 13, 2022
If you get deep into your yoga practice bandhas are sure to come up by master teachers. Bandhas are a way are to connect to our deeper core, to protect our spine, and to feel a sense of “lightness” in our poses. This book enlightens you and gives you understanding of this concept.
November 1, 2017
A must read for all the practitioners & teachers!
July 19, 2019
Detailed explanation of the techniques and benefits of the moola Bandha. Makes it really easy to practice.
March 25, 2020
Great book steps, in the end, are perfect but could have been explained much better with images
June 13, 2020
Very easy language and precise explanation and that too very practical so it's a very good book for yoga practitioners. Specially useful for Kriyabans
August 19, 2022
All the things you need to know regarding Moola Bandha, how to do it, how important it is, in how many aspects it helps (body, psychology etc), a bit of history of Moola Bandha as well is provided.
March 2, 2023
It's basically a comprehensive guide to understand mooladhar chakra and how to open our uncoil sleeping kundalini residing in it.
March 12, 2023
Great read with lots of info and illustrations are a great help
November 11, 2025
Interesting and informative.
November 28, 2014
Big picture. Focused techniques. Esoteric, yet practical. Intriguing, yet free of artifice.
A quality of information that in the past was only available to initiates or the most serious students, now just a quick bedtime read.
For anyone interested in yoga or subtle energy, it bears re-reading every year or so. Different aspects of it stand out at different times.
It's amazing a resource such as this exists right under our noses. If you're new to yoga, it might be interesting keep it by your desk and read a section any time you're tempted to waste energy consuming yoga blogs. When finished, proceed to the rest of the Bihar School's enormous library...
AY:A2 book group selection, Dec 2014.
A quality of information that in the past was only available to initiates or the most serious students, now just a quick bedtime read.
For anyone interested in yoga or subtle energy, it bears re-reading every year or so. Different aspects of it stand out at different times.
It's amazing a resource such as this exists right under our noses. If you're new to yoga, it might be interesting keep it by your desk and read a section any time you're tempted to waste energy consuming yoga blogs. When finished, proceed to the rest of the Bihar School's enormous library...
AY:A2 book group selection, Dec 2014.
August 12, 2014
This book is basically a 100+ dissertation on the power of kegels. I've never seen anything else like it. Seriously, this goes into depth on the physiology and psychological, spiritual and karmic relevance of moola bandha and gives detailed instructions for lots of physical and psychic practices that I've found to be pretty potent after a month of working with them.
Friends, I recommend this book if you are looking for:
-a chance to clearly locate your root chakra in your body and begin to understand its function and how to engage it
-improved wellness following childbirth, surgery or other pelvic trauma, pain or disease
-deepening yoga or meditation practice
Friends, I recommend this book if you are looking for:
-a chance to clearly locate your root chakra in your body and begin to understand its function and how to engage it
-improved wellness following childbirth, surgery or other pelvic trauma, pain or disease
-deepening yoga or meditation practice
June 1, 2016
This book brings a wide approach regarding the Yoga lock system called bandhas — specially that which gives name to it. Moola Bandha states that if a yogi learns how to develop and control his pelvic floor awareness and contraction, he will enhance his yogic practice by awakening his Mooladhara Chakra more easily and safely. Being this step one of the first on preparing the body and mind for meditation, in addition to a very comprehensive explanation about it, its author provides a neuroscience background and a list of practices (e.g. Asana, Pranayama etc) to keep whoever wants to seriously trail a healthy spiritual path. Certainly a must-have.
December 20, 2020
Un libro molto specifico sul tema del Mula Bandha e Muladhara Chakra. Di sicuro lo consiglierei a praticanti yoga interessati ad approfondire questa pratica, tuttavia, credo che sia nell’esposizione del tema sia nella bibliografia di riferimento utilizzata dagli autori, l’argomento sia accessibile a pochi, perlopiù a praticanti esperti di Kundalini Yoga o tecniche di meditazione e pranayama avanzati.
Sicuramente un testo utile per coloro interessanti ad approfondire la pratica del Mula Bandha tramite asana e tecniche di respirazione.
Sicuramente un testo utile per coloro interessanti ad approfondire la pratica del Mula Bandha tramite asana e tecniche di respirazione.
March 4, 2008
this book gives great spiritual and physical insight to moola bandha, udiyana bandha and jalandara bandha. i have been practicing yoga and have been very familiar with moolabandha for 9 years, but my understanding of it and its purpose is completely different after reading this book.
April 9, 2016
It would be difficult for someone not involved in Yoga to enjoy this and it does involve a very personal part of the body. I recommend this for Yoga teachers who wish to get to the "root" (excuse the pun) of how the body operates.
January 16, 2024
A detailed and thorough study of Moola Bandha, one of the three yogic lock practices focusing on the pelvic floor region. Some knowledge of yoga, pranayama, and the risks of energy/kundalini work are recommended, but it's not a difficult read, just dense.
January 16, 2008
the bihar school is among the most amazing publishing books on yoga. almost felt like i should pull back on practicing some of these techniques. very profound and powerful.
July 25, 2008
VERY informative
March 12, 2009
Just started reading this book. It starts off over a beginners head but the description of the benefits of the locks compels me to keep reading. Interesting so far.
October 1, 2015
It's not perfect, but there are no better book existing on the subject in print, available to general public. So ? Best, till something better arrive, but I doubt it will.
February 6, 2017
A great guide for any individual looking for an initial connection. A very basic format.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews