Bandha

Bandhas or “Locks” are special postures that are adapted to conserve and make use of the cosmic reserves of prana generated by the Advanced Breathing exercises. They not only prevent the excess of prana, but also enable you to regulate its flow and convert it into spiritual energy. There are three classic bandhas; Mula, Uddyana, and Jalandhara bandha. When practiced together they are called tri-bandha. They are practiced together or individually at specific times during kriya, asana, pranayama, mudra, visualization, and meditation practice. Jalandhara and Moola bandha are used simultaneously during retention to unite prana and apana; Uddyana bandha is sued after an exhalation to push the pranapana up into the Sushumna nadi, raising the Kundalini. Each bandha is a lock, meaning a closing off of part of the interior body.

Benefits:-

• Bandhas are used in practices to tone, cleanse and energize the interior body and organs.
• Bandhas are remove blockages in the glandular system of the body.
• Bandhas are put pressure on the endocrinal glands and activates them.
• Bandhas enhances the secretion of hormones as all glands are porous in nature.
• Bandhas are changes hormonal level in the blood stream, which helps in reducing weight.

Jalandhar Bandha

Position: Take the posture of padmasana or vajrasana.

Technique:

• Inhale deeply, fill your lungs with air, raise your chest and hold your breath.
• Bend your chin down on the jugular notch slowly and press hard. Hold your breath for between thirty seconds to a minute.
• Raise your chin up and continue to hold your breath. When the head is back in the previous position, exhale through your nostrils.
• Repeat this cycle three times.

Benefits:

• In Jalandhar Bandha when we press the chin down on the jugular notch, the parathyroid and the thyroid glands in the neck get activated and Thyroxin is secreted. This hormone helps in reducing stress.
• Jalandhar Bandha helps in controlling diseases of the thyroid gland.
• Jalandhar Bandha gives peace and calmness to both, the heart and the mind.

Don’ts:

• Bandh is not to be practised by persons suffering from breath related problems or high or low bloodpressure
• People suffering from cervical spondylosis should not perform this bandha, as forward bending of the neck is prohibited for them.
• This bandha is only for people whose Thyroxin levels are low. People with high Thyroxin levels should not perform this bandha.

Mool Bandha

Position: Take the posture of padmasana or sahajasana.

Technique:

• Exhale deeply through your mouth and hold your breath.
• Slowly squeeze your anal are (as you would, if you tried to stop passing urine). All your lower abdominal muscles should be tightly contracted.
• Release the anal are slowly and expand your abdominal muscles.
• To perform inhale slowly and relax you. Body.
• The bandha again, first take a few deep long breaths to bring your breathing back to normal.
• Repeat this cycle three times.

Benefits:

• Mool Bandha improves the secretion of glands situated in the lower abdominal are of the body.
• Mool Bandha increases vitality and sexual ability.
• Mool Bandha tonifies, purifies, balances, and energizes, the pelvic and urogenital region
• Mool Bandha improves concentration power.

Don’ts

• People suffering from piles, anal fissure,hernia should not perform this bandha
• Women suffering from gynecological problems should consult their doctor before performing this bandha.

Udyaan Bandha

Position: Stand straight with your feet apart and parallel to the shoulders.

Technique:

• Lower your body and place your palms on your knees, thumbs outward. Exhale deeply through your mouth, hold the breath (wahiyah kumbhak) pull in your stomach for as long as possible.
• Get up and then inhale.
• Repeat the cycle two to three times.

Benefits:

• Udyaan Bandha increase blood circulation in the heart.
• Udyaan Bandha relaxes the muscles of the stomach and the diaphragm
• Improve efficiency of internal organs stomach, intestine and liver.
• Udyaan Bandha release of gastric juices which help in the digestive process so it will be helpful in constipation, Indigestion,Flatulance and other disorders of the alimentary canal.
• Udyaan Bandha gives to the practitioner beautiful health, strength, vigour and vitality.
• Udyaan Bandha reduces fat in the belly.

Don’ts

• People suffering from lower backache should perform this bandha in a sitting or standing position.
• People suffering from Asthma should not hold the breath for too long.
• Persons suffering from stomach ailments, heart troubles or defective blood circulation should not attempt to perform the bandh.
• Persons suffering from diseases like hernia too should not perform this bandh.