Bandha & Granthi Flashcards
What are the four main bandhas?
Mula Bandha
Uddiyana Bandha
Jalandhara Bandha
Maha Bandha
What is Mula Bandha
Root lock
What is Uddiyana Bandha
Flying up lock
What is Jalandhara Bandha?
Throat Lock
What is Maha Bandha?
The Great lock - all three
How is Maha Bandha created?
By activating all three Mula, Uddiyana and Jalandhara bandha together
What are our two other bandhas?
Pada Bandha
Hasta Bandha
What is Pada Bandha?
Foot lock
What is Hasta Bandha?
Hand lock
What are the benefits of Mula Bandha?
- Stimulates pelvic nerves and tones the excretory systems
- Stimulates intestinal peristalsis relieving constipation
- Beneficial for Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcers, prostatitis and chronic pelvic infections
- Relieves symptoms of depression
- Relieves sexual frustration, suppression of sexual energy and feelings of sexual guilt
- Beneficial for women who are pregnant to support the bowel and bladder
Who is Mula Bandha contraindicated for?
New students may become hyperactive if not taught properly
What are the benefits of Uddiyana Bandha?
- Stabilizes and supports the lumbar provides strength during challenging asana
- Balances the adrenals reducing stress
- Removes lethargy and soothes anxiety and tension
- Builds agni – the inner digestive fire
- Stimulates the solar plexus which has many subtle influences on the distribution of prana throughout the body
Which conditions is Uddiyana Bandha contraindicated for?
- Hernia
- Ulcerative Collitis/Crohns
- Stomach or intestinal (bowel) ulcer/s
- High blood pressure
- Chronic digestive complaints
- Cardiovascular and heart disease
- Glaucoma and raised intracranial pressure
- Pregnancy
What are the benefits of Jalandhara Bandha?
- Creates compression of the carotid sinus in the neck which help regulate circulatory and respiratory systems
- Relives stress, anger, irritability and anxiety
- Stimulation of the throat balances thyroid and parathyroid function
Which conditions is Jalandhara Bandha contraindicated for?
- Cervical spondylosis
- Vertigo
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
What are the benefits of Maha Bandha?
Benefits all 3 bandhas
Increases hormonal secretions of the pineal gland and regulate entire endocrine system
Energises the whole body on a cellular level and therefore decreases the aging process
Soothes anger and introverts the mind prior to meditation
When perfected can awaken prana in the chakras
Who is Maha Bandha contraindicated for?
Abnormally high or low blood pressure
Heart conditions
Stroke
Hernia
Stomach or intestinal (bower) ulcer
Pregnant women
What are the three main Granthi?
Rudra Granthi
Vishnu Granthi
Brahma Granthi
What bandha does Brahma Granthi correlate to?
Mula Bandha - Root Lock
What chakras does Brahma Granthi correlate to?
Muladhara- Root
Svadhisthana- Sacral
What bandha does Vishnu Granthi correlate to?
Uddiyana Bandha
What chakras does Vishnu Granthi correlate to?
Manipura - Solar Plexus
Anahata- Heart
What bandha does Rudra Granthi correlate to?
Jalandhara Bandha
What chakras does Rudra Granthi correlate to?
Vishuddha - Throat
Ajna- Third eye
What does the word granthi mean?
Knot
How does asana impact on Granthi?
Asana and activating the bandhas helps to unblock the three granthis that prevent prana from freely circulating within the Sushuma nadi
