Guest guest Posted March 19, 2001 Report Share Posted March 19, 2001 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.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.