Energizing the Root Chakra for a Deeper Reiki Experience

Yogic science includes a wide range of exercises in addition to the Pranayama and Kundalini techniques that you may have heard of. This article kicks off a series that offers a chakra-by-chakra routine for holistic development. These techniques have been developed from the philosophies and methodologies of various approaches, including Vipassana meditation, Pranayama, Kundalini, and Taiji.

Exercising the Root Chakra

Your root chakra is located at the base of your spine. This chakra can be exercised using a bandha, which refers to the blockage of a chakra. Blocking chakras helps contain the flow of energy and increases your potential to channel Reiki. Take care to practice these techniques gradually, never pushing yourself beyond your limits. Seek the advice of a qualified yoga teacher for further guidance and a more specific explanation of the muscles involved.

Use mula bandha, sit in the lotus position and place one of your heels on the perineum, the space between the anus and the genitals. Mula bandha is a contraction of the muscles of the perineum. Pull up on your perineum as if you were stopping the flow of urine. This movement blocks your root chakra and prevents the energy from flowing back to the ground. As you pull your muscles, imagine drawing energy from the root chakra and sending it up toward the crown of your head.

Mula bandha focuses on the contraction of the muscles of the perineum that control urination. It is easy to confuse mula bandha with a closely related technique called aswini mudra. Aswini mudra focuses on the contraction of the anal muscles, an exercise that is helpful in treating hemorrhoids. To distinguish the two muscles, sit with your heel on your perineum and alternate contractions between your anus and perineum. Once you have correctly distinguished the perineum muscle, practice contracting it for one minute at a time. Then relax for a moment and contract it again. Continue practicing mula bandha for 5 to 10 minutes.

Throughout your practice, keep your eyes closed and be aware of your breath. Observe the flow of energy as you practice. If you are proceeding to become a Reiki Master, this bandha will be very useful to you when performing Reiki attunements. Mula bandha is also used in Taiji’s microcosmic orbit, and will be explained in a future article.

You can practice mula bandha alone, during Reiki self-healing sessions, as part of your yoga practice, or as part of your meditation practice.