Tha-Mula Bandha: An Asana Master Key#2. This is a re-post of a post 4 July 2014. I am re-posting it by way of preparing people for the follow to it Tha-Mula Bandha: An Asana Master Key Makes Forward Bends Safer, which I plan to post later today. In the video I posted today you will see me using the pose Navasana (boat pose) to demonstrate “Tha-Mula Bandha”, a technique taught to me by my teacher Simon Borg-Olivier. It confers both spinal stability and internal relaxation. From a Western anatomical perspective tha-mula bandha occurs when the rectus abdominis (front tummy “six pack” muscle) is activated while keeping the other abdominal relaxed enough to create space in the abdominal compartment for the diaphragm to descend during inhalation. It is a way to maintain the profoundly relaxing sensation of diaphragmatic / belly breathing while simultaneously conferring great abdominal strength and spinal stability. In this way it observes the Yogic concept of “Sthira Sukham Asanam”, which in the words of my Teacher, Simon Borg-Olivier translates to “Firm, but calm” (blog.yogasynergy/2011/05/ashtanga-vinyasa-yoga-and-core-stabilisation/). I personally find Tha-Mula Bandha an incredibly powerful technique for rehabilitation from back and hip pain to high level function. Not only has it allowed me to perform many yoga poses I formally had not been able to perform for several years, but it has allowed me do my sprint running training without having to stop and massage, stretch certain muscles after every repetition. I consider Tha-Mula Bandha a higher load progression from the low load stability and independent gluteal exercises I have outlined in previous posts and I do all three types of exercises in every class and in every personal practice I undertake. Come to classes on Tuesday mornings 7-8 am, Wed 9:30-11am, Thur 9:30-10:30, or Friday afternoon’s 5:15-6:45 pm to find out more about tha-mula bandha and what it can do for you. Namaste, Ben Gaffney
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 07:53:20 +0000