The Sanskrit meaning of bandha is lock or bind. In this prana is made to locate in a particular part of the body. These exercise control the powers and energy of the body and mind. They enable the practioner to achieve control over the prana for arousing kundalini. The bandhas bestow health,long life and vitality and mental peace, besides curing many ailments. Main Bandhas are: Mula bandha, Uddiyana , Jalandar, Traya and Maha.
Mula Bandha:
Mula bandha involves contraction of the anus. It enables one to conserve vital or sex energy and to convert it in to spiritual energy.
How to perform Mula bandha:
Sit in Sidha asana. In it the heel is placed firmly against Kanda or yoni, the space between the anus and the organ of generation. The space is the centre of vital force.
Two fingers above the anus is located Mulashara Chakra. This center is dominated by the energy force Apana, which carries out the functions of ercretion. Prana, on the other hand, carries out respiratory functions. Prana draws energy and conserves it. Apana draws the energy out to expel the waste material from the body. Any disharmony in their functions results in early old age and death.
It should be noted that mind and prana are inter-lined. If the mind is engaged in hatred, passion or greed, the Apana becomes active and the sense do not perform normally and energy goes waste.
This exercise can be practiced even while sitting standing, walking, lying or working. But it should not be performed if one suffers from constipation.
Uddiyan bandha:
This Sanskrit word means flying up as in this exercise flies up through the Sushumna-the channel in the spinal column, the passage through which Kundalini Shakti flows.
How to perform uddiyan bandha:
Stand with legs at a distance from each other. Bend forward a little and exhale air from the mouth. Draw the navel towards the back. The abdomen is drawn into the thoracic cavity.
Benefits of Uddiyan bandha:
Muscles of stomach, abdomen and hips get stronger by this exercise, thereby removing stomach troubles, like gastro intestine. Excess fat also goes from the body. The exercise helps in preserving sex-energy for its sublimation into spiritual energy. Control of samana vaju gives a lustre to th body.
This exercise can be practiced while sitting
Jalandhar Bandha :
By this exercise a yogi conserves the nectar which, the mystics say, flows from sahasrara-crown of the head- and consumed by Munipura chakra fire. The conservation leads to long life, sound health and mystic powers. This exercise also opens the mouth of sushmna for awakening the kundaline Shakti. Blood circulation is increased and throat troubles go.
How to perform Jalandhar bandha:
Sit down on the floor either in padmasan or sukhasan pose. Hold the spine, neck and head erect in one line. Look to the front at the level of eyes. Palms should be placed on knees. Inhale slowly, hold the breath and bend the head downwards so that the chin touches the chest. Now raise both the shoulders a little upwards. Keep spine, head and neck straight. Stay in that Position for 4 to 8 seconds. This exercise can be repeated four times in a day.
Disorders of the head, shoulders and the cervical regions are removed. More useful for those who suffer from sinus and breathing trouble.
Traya Bandha:
By doing this exercise one gets the advantages of all the bandhas.
How to perform the Traya bandha:
One has to sit either in Padmasana or Sidhasana Pose. He should exhale through the mouth thus emptying the lungs. Then navel is drawn inwards until abdomen joins the spine.Along with this, he has to do mula bandha and jalandhara bandha as well. Hands should be placed on knees. Now inhale air and release all the locks.
Maha Bandha:
This exercise helps the yogi to awaken his kundaline power.
How to perform maha bandha:
With left heel pressed firmly against the space between the anus and the generative organs sit on the floor and perform Jalandhara bandha. Hold breath and also perform uddiyana bandha. Focus all attention on the passage of sushumna and visualize that kundalini is moving up.
Mula Bandha:
Mula bandha involves contraction of the anus. It enables one to conserve vital or sex energy and to convert it in to spiritual energy.
How to perform Mula bandha:
Sit in Sidha asana. In it the heel is placed firmly against Kanda or yoni, the space between the anus and the organ of generation. The space is the centre of vital force.
Two fingers above the anus is located Mulashara Chakra. This center is dominated by the energy force Apana, which carries out the functions of ercretion. Prana, on the other hand, carries out respiratory functions. Prana draws energy and conserves it. Apana draws the energy out to expel the waste material from the body. Any disharmony in their functions results in early old age and death.
It should be noted that mind and prana are inter-lined. If the mind is engaged in hatred, passion or greed, the Apana becomes active and the sense do not perform normally and energy goes waste.
This exercise can be practiced even while sitting standing, walking, lying or working. But it should not be performed if one suffers from constipation.
Uddiyan bandha:
This Sanskrit word means flying up as in this exercise flies up through the Sushumna-the channel in the spinal column, the passage through which Kundalini Shakti flows.
How to perform uddiyan bandha:
Stand with legs at a distance from each other. Bend forward a little and exhale air from the mouth. Draw the navel towards the back. The abdomen is drawn into the thoracic cavity.
Benefits of Uddiyan bandha:
Muscles of stomach, abdomen and hips get stronger by this exercise, thereby removing stomach troubles, like gastro intestine. Excess fat also goes from the body. The exercise helps in preserving sex-energy for its sublimation into spiritual energy. Control of samana vaju gives a lustre to th body.
This exercise can be practiced while sitting
Jalandhar Bandha :
By this exercise a yogi conserves the nectar which, the mystics say, flows from sahasrara-crown of the head- and consumed by Munipura chakra fire. The conservation leads to long life, sound health and mystic powers. This exercise also opens the mouth of sushmna for awakening the kundaline Shakti. Blood circulation is increased and throat troubles go.
How to perform Jalandhar bandha:
Sit down on the floor either in padmasan or sukhasan pose. Hold the spine, neck and head erect in one line. Look to the front at the level of eyes. Palms should be placed on knees. Inhale slowly, hold the breath and bend the head downwards so that the chin touches the chest. Now raise both the shoulders a little upwards. Keep spine, head and neck straight. Stay in that Position for 4 to 8 seconds. This exercise can be repeated four times in a day.
Disorders of the head, shoulders and the cervical regions are removed. More useful for those who suffer from sinus and breathing trouble.
Traya Bandha:
By doing this exercise one gets the advantages of all the bandhas.
How to perform the Traya bandha:
One has to sit either in Padmasana or Sidhasana Pose. He should exhale through the mouth thus emptying the lungs. Then navel is drawn inwards until abdomen joins the spine.Along with this, he has to do mula bandha and jalandhara bandha as well. Hands should be placed on knees. Now inhale air and release all the locks.
Maha Bandha:
This exercise helps the yogi to awaken his kundaline power.
How to perform maha bandha:
With left heel pressed firmly against the space between the anus and the generative organs sit on the floor and perform Jalandhara bandha. Hold breath and also perform uddiyana bandha. Focus all attention on the passage of sushumna and visualize that kundalini is moving up.
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