Locks or Bandhas
Locks or Bandhas
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| BANDHAS : A Pranic Energy Lock |
(Purifying Practice, Internal energy locks, Kriya)
Bandas means locks. In Sanskrit it means to hold or lock or tighten the muscles. There is physical action involved in this act and affect is on the energy level. The Bandas aim to hold a Prana (vital energy ) in particular area, and redirect their flow into Sushumna Nadi for the purpose of spiritual awakening. Bandas are either practiced individually or incorporated with Mudras and Pranayama practices.
Jalandhara Bandha Uddiyana Bandha and Moola Bandha are situated respectively in the throat, abdomen and Perineum.
Introduction
A bandha is a kriyā in Hatha Yoga, being a kind of internal mudra described as a "body lock". Bandha literally means bond, fetter, or "catching hold of".
Bandhas - Pranic energy locks.
Mudras and bandhas control the Pranic energy which is awakened during pranayama practice.
Adopt a gentle version of Laghu Moola Bandha (Anal Lock) and Uddiyana bandha (Tummy tuck or naval lock) throughout the pranayama session.
- All the three Bandhas, namely, Jalandhar, Uddiyana and Mula should be observed in kumbhaka. The bandhas are like safety valves which should be kept shut during the practice of kumbhaka.
"A lock, or bandha, in hatha yoga, is a gesture in which a segment of the body is sealed, isolated, or constricted in some manner."
Bandhas means bondage, joining together, fettering or catching hold of. It is also a posture in which certain organs or parts of the body are contracted and controlled.When electricity is generated it is necessary to have transformers, conductors, switches, fuses, and insulated wires to carry the power to its destination, as without these the electricity generated would be lethal. When Prana (vital energy is made to flow in yogi's body by the practice of pranayama it is equally necessary for him to employ bandhas to prevent the dissipation of energy and carry to it to the right quarters without causing damage elsewhere. Without the bandhas Prana is lethal.
The four main bandhas which are important for Pranayama, are
- Jalandhar Bandha
- Uddiyana Bandha and
- Mula Bandha.
- Mahabandha.
It is said that by the practice of these bandhas the sixteen roots (Adhara) are closed. Adhara ('dhr'- to support) means a support a vital part.. The sixteen vital parts are:
- Thumbs
- Ankles
- Knees
- Thighs
- Prepuce
- Organs of generation
- Navel
- Heart
- Neck
- Throat
- Palate
- Nose
- Middle of the eyebrows
- Forehead
- Head
- Brahmarandha (the aperture in the crown of the head through which the soul is said to escape on leaving the body)
With the mastery of these bandhas the yogi is at the cross roads of his destiny. One road leads to bhoga or the enjoyment of worldly pleasures; the other leads to Yoga or union with the supreme soul. The attraction of worldly pleasure is great. The yogi however feels greater attraction for their creator. The senses open outwards and consequently they are attracted to objects and follow the path of bhoga. If the direction of the senses is changed so that they turn inwards then they follow the path of yoga. The yogi's senses invert to meet the Creator, the source of all creation.
Regions :
Jalandhar Bandha / Throat Lock.
Target : Throat Chakra Meditation.
Sit in any comfortable meditative Asana Padmasana. Sukhasana or Vajrasana. The head is bend forward so that chin is pressing the neck. The awareness is concentrated in Vishudha Chakra. This is commonly used in Asanas.
The first on which a yogi should master is Jalandhar bandha. Jala ( जाल) a net, a web, a lattice or a mesh. In Jalandhar the neck and the throat are contracted and the chin is made to rest on the chest in the notch between the collar bones and at the top of the breast bone.. It is mastered while doing Sarvangasana and its cycles, for here also the chin is pressed against the sternum.
The Jalandhar bandha regulates the flow of blood and Prana to the heart, glands in the neck and the head together with the brain. If Pranayama is performed without Jalandhar bandha pressure is immediately felt on the heart, behind the eyeballs and in the ear cavity and the head feels dizzy. Jalandhar bandha is essential in the three processes of pranayama, namely, Puraka (inhalation), Rechaka (exhalation) and Kumbhaka (retention)
This is to be performed with external breath retention. It should be held as long as practitioner is able to retain the breath. This practice may be performed five times a day.
Benefits :
Jalandhar banda compresses carotid sinuses which are located in carotid arteries, the main artery in the neck. These sinuses helps to regulate the circulator and respiratory system . Normally a decrease in oxygen and increase of carbon dioxide in the body leads to an increased in heart rate and heavier breathing.
This artificially exerting pressure on these sinuses this tendency is prevented allowing for decrease in heart rate and increase breath retention relieving stress, anxiety and anger. This develops meditative introversion and one pointedness. The stimulus on the throat helps balance thyroid function. When relax the chin and head is upright start inhale and exhale.
Uddiyana Bandha / Abdominal Lock /
Concentration on Solar Plexes
Uddiyana Bandha : The exercise by which the Prana awakens and takes upward course to enter the Sushumna Nadi is called Uddiyana Bandha. Assume any meditative Asana, lift your chest a little upwards and push the stomach back so as to touch spine. Keep in this position as much as time you can. Repeat the banda three times. increase the number gradually.
Uddiyana means flying up. Strictly speaking it is not an asana but a bandha, that is a restraint. As condensers, fuses and switches control the flow of electricity, so bandhas regulate the flow of prana (energy). In this Bandha the prana or energy is made to move from the lower abdomen towards the head.
The process in Uddiyana bandha is to lift the diaphragm high up in the thorax and to pull in the abdominal organs against the back towards the spine. It is said that through Uddiyana bandha, the great bird Prana (vital energy) is forced to fly up through the Sushumna nadi, the main channel for the flow of nervous energy, which is situated inside the spinal cord (meru -danda). It is said that Uddiyana is the best of bandhas and he who constantly practices it as taught by his master becomes young again. It is said to be the lion that kills the elephant named Death. It should be performed only during bahya kumbhaka following Rechaka, that is , during the interval between complete exhalation and fresh inhalation when breathing is suspended. It exercises the diaphragm and abdominal organs. The cavity created by the lift of the diaphragm gives a gentle message to the muscles of the heart, thereby toning it. Uddiyana Bandha should never be attempted during antara kumbhaka, that is the interval between complete inhalation and the start of exhalation, when breath is retained, otherwise it will strain the heart and diaphragm and the eyes will puff out.
Benefits :
- This banda cures the diseases pertaining to stomach and organs of digestive system.
- It tones the abdominal organs, increases the gastric fire and eliminates toxins in the digestive track..
Contraindication :
- High blood pressure
- Ulcers
- Hiatus hernia
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
Mula Bandha / Root Lock
Mula means root, source, origin or cause, basis or foundation. Mula Bandha is the region between the anus and the scrotum. By contraction this region., Apana Vayu (the Prana in the lower abdomen), whose course is downwards, is made to flow up to unite with the Prana Vayu, which has its seat in the region of the chest.
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Mula bandha should be attempted first in antara kumbhaka (retention after inhalation). The region of lower abdomen between the navel and the anus is contracted towards the spine and pulled up towards the diaphragm. In Uddiyana Bandha the entire region from the anus to the diaphragm up to the sternum is pulled back towards the spine and lifted up. But in Mula bandha the whole lower abdomen area between the anus and the naval is contracted, pulled back to the spine and lifted up towards the diaphragm.
The practice of contracting anal sphincter muscles (the ashwini mudra) helps one to master Mula Bandha. Ashva ( अश्व ) means a horse. This mudra (a sealing posture) is so called because it suggest the staling of a horse. It should be learnt while doing Tadasana, Sirsasana, Sarvangasana,Ustrasana, and Paschimotanasana.
While practicing Mula Bandha the Yogi attempts to reach the true source or Mula of all creation. His goal is the complete restraint or bandha of the chitta which includes the mind (manas), the intellect (buddhi) and the ego (ahamkar)
Benefit
- Mula Bandha increases sexual retentive power.
- Apana Vayu takes upwards course and helps Kundalini power to awaken.
- Cures constipation, improves digestion.
- Helps in observation of celibacy
Mahāmudrā literally means maha - great or noble and mudra - means shutting, closing or sealing. In this sitting posture the aperture at the top and the bottom of the trunk are held fast and sealed.
Technique :
- Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in the front
- Bend the left knee and move it to the left, keeping the outer side of the left thigh and the left calf on the floor.
- Place the left heel against the inner side of the left thigh near the perineum. The big toe of the left foot should touch the inner side of right thigh. The angle between the extended right leg and the bent left leg should be a right angle of 90 degrees.
- Stretch the arm forward towards the right foot and hook the big toe with the thumbs and forefingers.
- Lower the head to the trunk until the chin rest in a hollow between the collar bones just above the breast bone.
- Keep the spine fully stretched and do not allow the right leg to tilt to the right.
- Inhale completely. Tighten the entire abdomen from the anus to the diaphragm. Pull the abdomen back towards the spine and also up towards the diaphragm.
- Relax the abdominal tension, then exhale,, again inhale and hold the breath, maintaining the abdominal grip. 1-3 minutes
- Relax the abdominal tension, exhale, raise the head, release the hands and straighten the bent leg.
- Repeat on the other side, keeping the left leg straight and the right one bent for an equal length of time.
Benefits :
- Prana takes upwards course, Body gets strong
- The Bandha helps in confluence of all the three nadis namely Ida, Pingla and Sushumna. All branches help rejuvenate the body
- This asana tones the abdominal organs, the kidneys and adrenal glands
- Women suffering from prolapse womb find relief as it pulls the womb up to its original position.
- Person suffering from spleens ailments and from enlargement of prostrate gland will benefit by staying in this pose.
- Maha mudra destroys pains. makes the digestive system strong.
- It is also good for piles.
- Enlargement of spleen.
- Indigestion
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