Bandha (yoga)

The earliest textual mention of mūla bandha is in the 12th century Shaiva Natha text Gorakṣaśataka which defines it as a yogic technique to achieve mastery of breath and to awaken the goddess Kuṇḍalinī.

[8] Mula Bandha (Sanskrit: मूल बंध) is from Mūla, meaning variously root, base,[9] beginning, foundation,[10] origin or cause.

[3] Gorakṣhaśataka defines mūla bandha as: [The yogi] forces the downward-moving apāna breath to move upwards by means of contraction.

When apāna has turned upwards and reached the orb of fire, then the flame, fanned by the wind, rises high.

Gorakṣaśataka[11]Iyengar defines Mūla Bandha as "A posture where the body from the anus to the navel is contracted and lifted up and towards the spine".

[20] This bandha is performed by extending the neck and elevating the sternum (breastbone) before dropping the head so that the chin may rest on the chest.