Hemorrhoids / Mula Bandha

[Guest guest]

Is there no end to the variety of problems that

can plague the human body?<br><br>I would agree with

the other respondents that yoga should help with and

not cause this problem. Among the benefits listed in

Yoga Mala for Padangusthasana and Hastapadasana are

purification of the anal canal. But I think that yoga

practiced incorrectly or inappropriately (which is

different for everyone) can do as much harm as

good.<br><br>Mula bandha is a complicated subject (and I am no

expert on it). There is an entire book about mula bandha

and it is most recommended to all students of

Ashtanga yoga. It is called Moola Bandha - The Master Key,

by Swami Buddhananda (sometimes other authors are

given). This book can be ordered from

Amazon:<br><a href=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8185787328/

target=new>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/8185787328/</a><br>May also be

available from David Swenson, Yoga

Vermont and Jiva Mukti.<br><br>The book explains the

difference between Aswini Mudra, Vajroli Mudra, and Mula

Bandha. Aswini mudra is the contraction of the anal

sphinctor muscles, vajroli mudra is the contraction of the

uro-genital muscles (as in preventing urination) and mula

bandha may be described as pulling up on the perineal

body (in males) or the area around the cervix (in

females). Some texts and teachers may teach mula bandha as

pulling up the entire perineum (which may include all of

the above) or by just contracting the anal

sphinctors, since either of these two methods may lead to

getting in touch with the more subtle mula bandha. But

mula bandha does not actually involve contracting the

anal sphinctors, which in fact should be relaxed. So

there could be a lot to learn here and maybe a lot of

possiblity for misapplication. I tend to think that

practicing aswini mudra (contracting and releasing the anal

sphinctors) can be a good therapy for hemorrhoids and other

such problems. As for mula bandha, I think it is kind

of subtle and difficult to master. Just working on

contracting and releasing all the muscles of the pelvic floor

can lead to more awareness of the area and the

eventual ability to isolate the various muscles. But I

suspect that just trying to maintain a contraction of the

anal sphinctors throughout a practice could very well

cause hemorrhoids. It would be interesting to know if

this seems to be what you have been

doing.<br><br>Anyway, certainly anyone interested in the subject should

get this book, it goes into great detail. It can also

be interesting to look at an atlas of human anatomy,

just for another view of how complicated things are

down there. Another book that can be helpful on such

matters is Anal Pleasure and Health by Jack

Morin.<br><a href=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0940208202/

target=new>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0940208202/</a><br>Its kind of

oriented towards anal sex but "covers the

whole area". Also, self-manipulation (yes putting a

finger up there) can help to make hemorrhoids go away.

And of course, plenty of fiber in the diet. Sometimes

I take powdered psyllium seed husk capsules if I'm

not eating the best diet, just to make sure the fiber

is there.<br><br>Persistent pain in the anal canal,

especially beginning 30 minutes following defecation, can

indicate an anal fissure, a much more difficult problem

than hemorrhoids - we don't even want to go there.

(but all problems can be solved)<br><br>Could be good

to have some more expert comments on the correct

application of mula bandha.<br><br>Good luck with

everything..........