Bandhas Flashcards
What are the four main bandhas?
Mula Bandha Uddiyana Bandha Jalandhara Bandha Maha Bandha
What is Mula Bandha
Root lock
Starts the fire
What is Uddiyana Bandha
Stomach lock
Is the furnace in the belly
What is Jalandhara Bandha?
Throat Lock
What is Maha Bandha?
The Great lock
How is Maha Bandha created?
By activating Mula, Uddiyana and Jalandhara bandha together
What are the benefits of Mula Bandha?
- Involves a subtle contraction of the pelvic floor/perineum (small area between the anus and genitals) - Keeps the energy flowing between the body and the earth - Grounding quality - It is not a pelvic tilt but rather it is an energy dynamic within the pelvic girdle - Can be done consistently throughout a posture or rhythmically engaged and relaxed - Stabilises pelvis
What are the benefits of Uddiyana Bandha?
- Uddiyana = “flying up”, upward lift - Is an abdominal lift - think of a golf ball in the centre of you tummy, wrap your energy around the whole lot drawing in and upward - Important to maintain integrity and stability around the lower to mid-section of the spine - Improves concentration, balance, core strength - Creates centredness - Stabilises lumbar and thoracic spine - Builds agni – the inner digestive fire - Stimulates the solar plexus which has many subtle influences on the distribution of prana throughout the body
What are the benefits of Jalandhara Bandha?
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
What are the benefits of Maha Bandha?
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
