Bhandas or Lock Mudras

Aloha Everyone,

Bhandas, or lock mudras is the one of the four basic categories of mudras we study in our Kundalini Yoga class.

BHANDAS – LOCK MUDRAS

Category -  Bhanda Mudras (combines mudra and body lock)

Position & techniques – To begin our practice, sit up tall, elongate your spine, relax your abdomen, life your chest and relax your shoulders.

MULA BHANDA (Root Lock)

Inhale deeply, exhale completely then holding your breath out contract your rectum, sex organ and then pull back the lower abdomen towards the spine.  All these muscle groups should be contracted at the same time.

UDDIYANA BHANDA: (Diaphragm Lock)
Inhale fully, exhale completely then holding your breath out pull up the abdominal muscles up and pull your stomach in and under the rib cage.

JALANDHARA BHANDA: (Neck Lock or Chin Lock)

Jalandhara Bhanda is practiced every time we sit down for meditations and pranayama.  Lift your chest, pull your chin back gently and bring it about 1/10 of an inch which will create slight tension in the back of the neck and causing a compression of the throat region.

MAHA BHANDA: (Great Lock - the application of all 3 locks at once)
Apply these locks while your breath is held out.  Do as long as comfortable.  Release the locks as you inhale and relax your mind and body.  Begin with 3 rounds of Maha Bhanda then increase to 6, 9 and so on.

BENEFITS:

1. Experience deep relaxation, stress relief
2. Promotes a meditative state of mind
3. Allows energy to travel up the spine, activating each chakra
4. Balances the entire endocrine system
5. Helps improve the digestive, nervous and respiratory systems

CAUTION:

Do not over do.  Do not over strain.  Always use common sense.

Sat Nam -- Cathi