Sun (surya) salutations (Namaskara): Contraindication
Sun (surya) salutations (Namaskara): Contraindication/Precaution/Limitation All styles of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) including Ashtanga A & B and Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutation) is a sequence of poses done with the flow of energy, proper breathing, and this requires a certain physical strength especially for beginners. Hence, these sequences do have their limitations and should not […]
Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Retraction Lock)
Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Retraction Lock) Atha uddiyanabandhah Baddho yena sushumnayam pranastuddiyate yatah/ Tasmad uddiyanakhyoa yam yoghibhih samudahrtah/ Uddiyana bandha is so-called by the yogis because through its practice the prana (is concentrated at one point and) rises through sushumna. (Chapter -3, Verse 55). Uddinam kurute yasmadavisrantam mahakhaghah/ Uddiyanam tadeva syattatra bandho abhidhiyate// The bandha explained […]
Moola Bandha(perineum/cervix retraction lock)
Moola Bandha(perineum/cervix retraction lock) Atha mulabandhah Parshnibhaghena sampidya yonim akunchayed ghudam/ Apanam urdhvam akrshya mulabandho abhidhiyate// Pressing the perineum/vagina with the heel and contracting the rectum so that the apana vayu moves upward it’s called moola bandha. (Chapter -3, Verse 61). Adhogatim apanam va urdhvagam kurute balat/ Akunchanena tam prahur mulabandham hi yoginah// By […]
Maha Bandha (Great Lock)
Maha Bandha (Great Lock) Parshnim vamasya padasya yonisthane niyojayet/ Vamorupari samsthapya dakshinam charanam tatha// Press the heel of the left foot in the perineum or vagina and place the right foot on the left thigh. (Chapter -3, Verse 19). Purayitva tato vayum hrdaye chubukam drdham/ Nishpidya yonimakunchya manomadhye niyojayet// Thus breathing in, bring the chin […]
Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock)
Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock) Atha jalandharabandhah Kanthamakunchya hrdaye sthapayechchibukam drdham/ Bandho jalandharakhyoayam jaramrtyuvinasakah// Contracting the throat by bringing the chin to the chest sternum bone is the bandha called Jalandhara Bandha. It eradicates old age and death. (Chapter -3, Verse 70). Badhnati hi sirajalamadhoghami nabhojalam/ Tato jalandharo bandhah kanthaduhkhaughanasanah// That is jalandhara bandha which holds […]
Maha Bandha – Great lock
Maha Bandha – Great lock (Bestower of great siddhis) Practice: Sit in siddha or padmasana with the palms pressing on the knees. The spine should be straight. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose. Exhale forcefully and completely through the mouth. Hold the breath outside. Sequentially perform Jalandhara, Uddiyana and Moola Bandha at end. […]
Mula Bandha – Perennial/ cervix retraction lock
Mula Bandha – Perennial/ cervix retraction lock, when engaged, prevents apana escaping from the lower body and draws it up to unite with prana. Practice Sit in a comfortable meditative pose, preferably siddhasana. Close the eyes, make sure the body is completely relaxed and the spine is erect. For men, the area just inside the […]
Uddiyana Bandha – Abdominal retraction lock
Uddiyana Bandha – Abdominal retraction lock which forces prana up the shushumna nadi. Practice Stand with feet about two feet apart. Bend the knees slightly and rest the hands above the knees, with the thumbs facing inwards and the fingers outwards. The spine must remain straight, not curved; the head should be kept up and […]
Jalandhara Bandha – Throat lock
Jalandhara Bandha – Throat lock which prevents prana from escaping the upper body. Practice Jalandhara bandha Sit comfortably in siddhasana or padmasana). Place the palms of the hands on the knees and allow the whole body to relax. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose and retain the breath. Lower the chin so that […]
Bandha
The 200-hour Hatha Yoga procedure of Karuna Yoga Vidya Peetham, teacher training center in, Bangalore,India provides you the opportunity of understanding bandhas. Bandhas are classified as Jalandhara , Uddiyana , Moola and Maha Bandha according to tradition. They were spread orally from gurus to disciplines. The “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” deals with bandhas and mudras as […]