Yoga Theme: Basics and Bandhas

For the next 3 weeks we’ll be exploring the theme “Basics and Bandhas.” Join me as we unlock our inner power by harnessing the strength of our core—not just physically, but energetically.

“Basics and Bandhas” explores the transformative impact of integrating prana, pranayama, and bandhas into your yoga practice. By learning to engage the bandhas—Mula Bandha (root lock), Uddiyana Bandha (abdominal lock), and Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock)—you’ll enhance your posture, refine your movements, and elevate your overall experience of yoga. This theme invites you to discover how these energy locks can profoundly shift your practice, helping you feel more grounded and empowered as you move through the world.

Yoga Terms

Before you can work on your Bandhas, you need to understand the concept of Pranayama.

• Prana is seen as a vital life force or universal energy that flows through and around all living things.
• Yama means restraint or control.
• Pranayama is the practice of controlled breathing techniques in yoga designed to regulate and expand the flow of vital energy (prana) within the body and mind.
• Bandha means to lock or bind. In the context of yoga, it refers to specific muscular contractions or energy locks that are used to control and direct the flow of prana (vital energy) within the body. These locks help stabilize and support the body in various postures and practices, enhancing both physical strength and mental focus.

Bandhas

There are three primary bandhas in yoga, each associated with a specific area of the body:

1. Mula Bandha (Root Lock) – Located at the pelvic floor, it involves engaging the muscles at the base of the spine to stabilize and ground the body, directing energy upward.
2. Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock) – Focuses on drawing the lower belly inward and upward, creating a strong core engagement. It helps stimulate energy flow and is often used in breathwork.
3. Jalandhara Bandha (Throat Lock) – Involves tucking the chin slightly toward the chest to regulate energy in the throat area, often used during pranayama to maintain focus and control the flow of breath.

There is also a fourth, more advanced combination of all three:

4. Maha Bandha (Great Lock) – This is the simultaneous engagement of Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha, said to promote heightened awareness and energy flow.

Quote of the Week

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

— Henry S. Haskins (Stockbroker and man of letters
He is the author of the anonymously published Meditations in Wall Street)

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