Rod
Administrator/ Moderator
Sep 1, 2004, 11:36 PM
Post #1 of 2
(3272 views)
Shortcut
|
|
What are the Bandhas?
|
Can't Post
|
|
Heart of Yoga, by TKV Desikachar Chapter 7 - The Bandhas [A summary of the key points]
The bandhas play an important part in the cleansing process of yoga. They are the means by which the process of reducing waste matter in pranayama can be intensified. The old texts say that use of the bandhas enable the practitioner to direct agni to the exact place where it is needed. bandha means "to bind or tie together, to close". In yoga, it means "to lock". When you execute a bandha you lock certain areas of the torso in a particular way.
The three most important bandhas are: - jalandhara bandha - this involves the neck and upper spine and makes the whole spine erect
- uddiyana bandha - this works on the area between the diaphragm and the floor of the pelvis
- mula bandha - this works on the area between the navel and the floor of the pelvis.
To learn the bandhas you have to work with a teacher. This is the only way of ensuring that you can learn these techniques safely and correctly. [And this is why I will not be including a description of them in these notes.]
You begin by practising bandhas with asana (but not constantly during a practice - consult a teacher). Only then can you safely use them in pranayama.
Desikachar explains how the bandhas intensify the cleansing effect of pranayama:
"Jalandhara bandha positions the torso in such a way that the spine is held erect. This makes it easier for the prana to move the flame toward the rubbish that needs burning. uddiyana bandha then raises the rubbish up toward the flame, and mula bandha helps us to leave it there long enough for the rubbish to be burned."
He also says that you should introduce bandhas in pranayama only after acquiring the ability to establish a breathing ratio and maintain it easily for twelve breaths. You can then gradually introduce the bandhas, build them up step by step, then taper off gradually and finish the pranayama practice with simple breathing. He emphasises that "We intensify our practice until we make progress in the preceding step, practicing patiently without forcing the body or the breath."
Namaste,
Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar
|
MAIN
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Hatha_Yoga_Bandhas.doc