Bandhas Flashcards
Bandah
To bind or tie together, To Lock. Energy Locks. Used to harness the circulation of prana in the subtle body.
Bandha translates literally from Sanskrit as ‘lock’ and you will find most yoga references use this term when describing bandhas. In yoga, there is one major flow that concerns us, and that is the flow of prana. A bandha regulates the flow of prana by allowing prana to move in a controlled manner and opening our energy channels
Jalandhara Bandha
Neck and upper spine. Makes the whole spine erect. Used to capture Prana Vayu.
This is the upper most energetic lock which is only used during kumbhaka, breath retentions. It is performed by lowering the chin, lifting the chest and moving the shoulders back. The tongue touches the soft palate and breath is more easily held. When applied with the other three bandhas, prana can be controlled and inner movements stilled. The degree of lowering the chin depends on the shape of your vertebrae. It is not necessary for the chin to touch the chest.
Uddiyana Bandha
Area between the diaphragm and the navel. Suck in navel in and up.
The word uddiyana means flying upwards. Sometimes known as the the “updward abdominal lock”
Start with your hands on your hips, then knees. Round your back. Exhale. Suck your abdomen in and up.
Mula Bandha
Area between the navel and the floor of the pelvis. Pull sit bones together.
Root lock, base of spine. It’s not exactly it, but think of it as contracting urine flow when starting.
The root lock is situated between the anus and the genitals, above the perineum. It is activated by engaging the ring shaped pubo-coccygeal (PC) muscle, located under the vertical axis of the spine and forward of the tail bone.
Using this bandha keeps prana from dispersing out and downwards and redirects it upwards. It also
stimulates muladhara chakra and gives a foundational point for concentration. The muscle also has the
feeling of lift and when engaged it automatically makes a subtle engagement of uddiyana bandha.
What are the 3 main Bandhas?
Jalandhara, Uddiyana, and Mula Bandha
