Bandhas and 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

Question 6

How is Maha Bandha created?

Answer 6

By activating 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 and relieves constipation and piles
Beneficial for anal fissures, ulcers, prostatitis and chronic pelvic infections
Energetic effects 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

Balances the adrenal glands decreasing the physiological effects of stress
Removes lethargy and soothes anxiety and tension
Stabilises and supports the lumbar spine as well as providing strength throughout the body during challenging asana
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

Who is Uddiyana Bandha contraindicated for?

Answer 13

Ulcerative Collitis or Crohns disease
Stomach or intestinal (bowel) ulcer/s
Hernia
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

Who 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

Brahma Granthi
Vishnu Granthi
Rudra Granthi

Question 19

What bandha does Brahma Granthi correlate to?

Answer 19

Mula Bandha

Question 20

What chakras does Brahma Granthi correlate to?

Answer 20

Muladhara and Svadhisthana

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 and Anahata

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 and Ajna

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