Bandha & Granthi

Question 1

What are the four main bandhas?

Answer 1

Mula Bandha
Uddiyana Bandha

Jalandhara Bandha
Maha Bandha

Question 2

What is Mula Bandha

Answer 2

Root lock

Question 3

What is Uddiyana Bandha

Answer 3

Flying up lock

Question 4

What is Jalandhara Bandha?

Answer 4

Throat Lock

Question 5

What is Maha Bandha?

Answer 5

The Great lock - all three

Question 6

How is Maha Bandha created?

Answer 6

By activating all three Mula, Uddiyana and Jalandhara bandha together

Question 7

What are our two other bandhas?

Answer 7

Pada Bandha

Hasta Bandha

Question 8

What is Pada Bandha?

Answer 8

Foot lock

Question 9

What is Hasta Bandha?

Answer 9

Hand lock

Question 10

What are the benefits of Mula Bandha?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Who is Mula Bandha contraindicated for?

Answer 11

New students may become hyperactive if not taught properly

Question 12

What are the benefits of Uddiyana Bandha?

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Which conditions is Uddiyana Bandha contraindicated for?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What are the benefits of Jalandhara Bandha?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Which conditions is Jalandhara Bandha contraindicated for?

Answer 15

• Cervical spondylosis
• Vertigo
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

Question 16

What are the benefits of Maha Bandha?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Who is Maha Bandha contraindicated for?

Answer 17

Abnormally high or low blood pressure

Heart conditions

Stroke

Hernia

Stomach or intestinal (bower) ulcer

Pregnant women

Question 18

What are the three main Granthi?

Answer 18

Rudra Granthi

Vishnu Granthi

Brahma Granthi

Question 19

What bandha does Brahma Granthi correlate to?

Answer 19

Mula Bandha - Root Lock

Question 20

What chakras does Brahma Granthi correlate to?

Answer 20

Muladhara- Root

Svadhisthana- Sacral

Question 21

What bandha does Vishnu Granthi correlate to?

Answer 21

Uddiyana Bandha

Question 22

What chakras does Vishnu Granthi correlate to?

Answer 22

Manipura - Solar Plexus

Anahata- Heart

Question 23

What bandha does Rudra Granthi correlate to?

Answer 23

Jalandhara Bandha

Question 24

What chakras does Rudra Granthi correlate to?

Answer 24

Vishuddha - Throat

Ajna- Third eye

Question 25

What does the word granthi mean?

Answer 25

Knot

Question 26

How does asana impact on Granthi?

Answer 26

Asana and activating the bandhas helps to unblock the three granthis that prevent prana from freely circulating within the Sushuma nadi