Bandhas and Granthi Flashcards
What are the 4 main Bandhas?
Jalandhara bandha, Uddiyana bandha, Mula bandha, Maha bandha.
What is a Bandha?
An energy lock or tie, which is used to influence the flow of prana through the body.
What is the hand Bandha and how do we express it?
Hasta Bandha, by applying the sensation of suction cupping the palm without actually lifting the palm, and pressing into all 10 fingertips.
What is our root lock and how do we practice this?
Mula bandha is our root lock, which is applied by the sensation of bringing the anus towards the navel.
What is Uddiyana Bandha referred to as, and how do we express it?
The flying up lock, by drawing the lower abdomen towards the navel. You can see this is not on if the ribs are sticking out.
What is our throat lock, and how do we practice this?
Jalandhara bandha is practiced by tucking the chin to create a double chin then backing off an inch or so. Or by the idea of trying to hold a tennis ball between the chin and neck.
What is Maha bandha?
Maha bandha is the Great Lock, which combines all 3 major bandhas into one.
What is our foot lock and how do we practice it?
Pada bandha is the foot lock which is expressed by lifting through the arches of the feet.
Name some benefits for Mula bandha.
Stimulates and tones the pelvic nerves, uro-genital and excretory systems, relieves constipation and hemorrhoids, good for anal fissures, good for ulcers, and chronic pelvic infections, relieves symptoms of depression, rebalances the endocrine system, relieves sexual frustration or guilt, beneficial for pregnant women to support bowel and bladder during and after pregnancy.
Name some contraindications for Mula bandha.
New students without awareness and correct guidance, as energy can quickly create hyperactivity.
Name some benefits of Uddiyana bandha.
Balances the function of the adrenal glands, thus relieving stress, relieves lethargy and releases anxiety, provides strength for the body, protects the lumbar spine, builds agni - the digestive fire, stimulates the solar plexus (to help prana distribution through the body).
Name some contraindications of Uddiyana bandha.
Crohns disease, stomach ulcers, hernia, high blood pressure, chronic digestive issues, cardiovascular or heart disease, Glaucoma, pregnancy (all trimesters).
Name some benefits of Jalandhara bandha.
Regulates the circulatory and respiratory system (by compression of the carotid sinus), decreases heart rate (decreases O2 increases CO2) allowing relaxation response, relieves stress anger irritability and anxiety, balances the thyroid function which regulates metabolism.
Name some contraindications of Jalandhara bandha.
Students with cervical spondylosis, vertigo, high blood pressure, heart disease.
Name some benefits of Maha bandha.
The benefits from all 3 other major bandhas, regulates the endocrine system, energises the whole body on a cellular level, soothes anger and introverts the mind prior to meditation, awaken the prana in the main chakras.
