Introduction to the Bandhas

Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) - The Three Main Bandhas

Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. Proper Breathing, in a Yogic point of view, is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama - the science of breath control; consists a series of exercises intended to meet these needs and to keep the body in vibrant Health.

There are some traditional techniques or aids available to prolong the pauses. These involve deliberate attempts to block breathing passages in such a way that air does not escape of its own accord when chest and abdominal muscles become relaxed. These aids are called Bandha. Bandha is a Sanskrit word related to our English words "band","bind", "bond" and "bound." Each of the Bandha employed for prolonging breathing pauses binds air in our lungs or closes and locks the air channels so that no air can escape or enter. We will look at the Three Important Bandhas. The parts of the body mainly involved are the:

glottis
chin
diaphragm
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Furthermore, Bandhas or "locks" are special Postures that are adapted to conserve and make use of the vast reserves of Prana generated by the Advanced Breathing Exercises. They not only prevent the dissipation of Prana but also enable you to regulate its flow and convert it into spiritual energy. You should practice them separately for a few days before applying them in Pranayama. Jalandhara and Moola Bandhas are used simultaneously during retention to unite prana and apana. Uddiyana Bandha is used after exhalation to push the prana up into the Sushumna Nadi, raising the Kundalini.