If you’ve heard about the benefits of Vajroli Mudra, guess again. Because in this guide I’m going to reveal the shocking side effects of Vajroli Mudra and the precautions. You need to know this.
But first, what is Vajroli mudra?
Vajroli mudra is a Vajroli Seal that is commonly used in Hatha Yoga, which was created by yogi Gorakhnath in the 11th Century to help people find liberation from moksha. Part of Hatha yoga practice is Mudras.
Mudras stem from two classical texts, the Gheranda Samhita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Later, Satyananda Saraswati [founder, Bihar School of Yoga] and others made mudras much more popular.
Now, the good news is that some mudras do have big benefits. If you’d like to learn about these, read my shockingly huge guide to mudras.
Yes, some mudras (Gyan, Ushas) have mental health benefits. And others have physical benefits (Khechari Mudra, Mula Mudra). Because they channel prana through the body, they heal.
However, some mudras are dangerous. For instance, Vajroli mudra. And I’d like to explain why.
One mudra is the Vajroli mudra or “Thunderbolt”
Vajroli is a Sanskrit word that means “Thunderbolt.” And this perfectly describes what it does. Because it creates energy in the genitals and sexual organs.
Traditionally, a yogin practised this method to preserve semen by not discharging. Alternatively, a yogin can channel semen up through the urethra to a devoted yogini’s vagina. Given that description, you might not be surprised to hear that some people find it indecent. For instance, translators Hans-Ulrich Rieker and Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra Vasu call it obscene.
Today, it is rarely used. However, some people are interested in the supposed benefits of it. For instance, that it improves the enjoyment of sex and increases sexual energy.
Some notable individuals have attempted to explain Vajroli mudra. For instance, there’s Ida C. Craddock, a sexologist who later committed suicide. Also, Krishnamacharya [Indian yoga teacher, ayurvedic healer and scholar]. However, it is worth noting that the way Krishnamacharya described the position made people doubt he’d ever actually done it.
Most yogis went against this procedure. But for educational purposes, let’s look at some of the supposed benefits of it.
Supposed Benefits of Vajroli mudra
Like the Ashwini Mudra, we can, supposedly use Vajroli to improve sexual health. Specifically, it stimulates the flow of energy to the genital organs.
Because of this, it allegedly helps in the following ways:
- Improves bladder health. Specifically, it channels liquid towards the urethra in a form of auto-enema. Hence the idea that the mudra benefits the bladder by cleaning it. This is largely based on a Tantric practice known as asidharavrata.
- The Sanskrit text the Shiva Samhita states that the male can absorb female sexual fluids. From there, these fluids supposedly become a “diamond body”. This theory was brought to the west by sexologist Ida C. Craddock, who was tried by the authorities for obscenity and blasphemy and imprisoned.
- Stops premature ejaculation.
- Cures erectile dysfunction.
- Makes reproductive organs much stronger.
- Increases sexual longevity.
- Helps with urinary disorders.
- Beneficial for numerous health conditions.
- Helps to activate all chakras.
Supposedly, it gets even better…
Supposedly this mudra gets even better at the latter stages. At this point, it is said to become a valuable tool for enlightenment.
Some notable yogis and texts have extolled the benefits of it. For instance, the Shiva Samhita 4.78–104 calls the position the “secret of all secrets”. Plus, it states that virtually anyone, even the inexperienced yogi, can use this position to achieve liberation from moksha. Furthermore, it explains that semen is controlled by a vital force, bindu. Losing bindu causes death. Conversely, sustaining bindu lengthens life.
How can you use it to achieve enlightenment?
Essentially, the yogic systems state that sexual energy is one of the primary energies. Vajroli mudra stimulates sexual energy, which influences all our energy. When practised regularly, sexual energy can be channelled upwards through the body. By transferring the energy upwards, it flows into the brain and through the chakras, activating each chakra and leading towards enlightenment.
The advanced stages of the mudra are called Amroli and Sajroli. These stages can be found in yogic texts, though most people will not reach these stages. And that’s probably a good thing.
Technique & Position
Just for educational purposes, here is the Vajroli mudra position. If you do this be cautious. If you experience pain while practising, stop. Again, most yogis do not recommend performing this technique.
- Sit comfortably in Sukhasana position [1] (sit with your legs crossed).
- Place your hands on your thighs.
- Close your eyes and relax.
- Focus your mind calmly on the muscles of your sphincter around the pubic bone.
- Imagine pulling energy up through your spine as you breathe in through your nose. Hold the breath at the Ajna chakra (between the eyebrows).
- Contract your muscles around your sexual organs (imagine preventing yourself from urinating).
- Contract the muscles ten times while you continue to hold your breath.
- Breathe out through your nose as you make the tenth contraction. Feel sexual energy rising in you as you do this.
- The Shiva Samhita states that after practising Vajroli should move on to Sahajoli and Amaroli and should use wind to hold back urine while urinating. This is ill-advised. Please read about the precautions below. Almost all expert yogis do not recommend practising levels 4 through seven stages of Vajroli Mudra (which involve using a catheter, using Uddiyana Bandha and Madhya Naul to suck up fluids). There are serious side effects at these stages. Do not attempt it.
- * Many readers have asked for advice on picking a mudra book to learn good mudras from. Take a look at my list of top books.
Further instructions from Theos Bernard
Theos Bernard [explorer and author of Hatha Yoga: The Report of a Personal Experience] adapted the teachings of Vajroli mudra. And this is where most of the modern teachings come from.
Bernard describes the position as resembling Navasana, a seated posture with the legs held at 45 degrees from the body, the torso leaning backwards with a rounded back and the palms placed on the floor by the thighs.
Importantly, Bernard states that the yogi should be familiar with Padmasana (lotus position) before attempting Vajroli. Otherwise, the back will not be strong enough to support the position.
But truly, you should not do Vajroli mudra
Now a precaution.
If you are not an advanced yogi do not use Vajroli. The magazine of Satyananda Saraswati’s Bihar School of Yoga states that the move is legitimate. However, it should only be practised in full after the first six practices are completed.
The magazine states that it is best to “begin with the simple contraction of the urogenital muscles and later the sucking up of liquids”.
But this mag is apparently the odd one out. Because everyone else says it’s a big “no. no”.
Writing for Yoga International, Sarah Garden and Colin Hall state that today hardly anyone in their right mind even attempts it. And Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra Vasu [translator of yoga texts] states that the move is obscene and oughtn’t to be practised at all.
For some better ideas, read my guide to couples meditation techniques.
Paul Harrison is a passionate meditation teacher who believes in genuine, authentic meditation. He has more than 15 years experience in meditation and mindfulness. He studied meditation in beautiful Oxford, UK, and Hamilton Ontario Canada, and earned his degree at Staffordshire University.
“My goal is to provide the most authentic meditation sessions so you can harness the power of your own mind for personal transformation” – Paul Harrison
