Bandha
The uddiyana bandha (also known as the diaphragm lock) is an at once stimulating and invigorating part of kundalini yoga. When students first come to the practice, they will start to learn this bandha and use it within their sessions. Needless to say, mastering this lock can be quite tricky and may take some time on the student’s part. You should attempt this banha regularly so that you might get to grips with it faster. Within this short guide, we will take a look at some of the benefits of the lock and how you can perfect it right away.
Benefits of This Meditation
The chances are that you’ve heard of the uddiyana bandha, but do you know why it is so important to the kundalini practice? The truth of the matter is that this bandha offers students a wealth of important spiritual and physical benefits. For that reason, you will find that the lock comes up again and again within sessions.
Moreover, learning of the bandha’s advantages will help students gain a deeper understanding of the lock and its place in the practice. Aside from being an entirely energizing lock, the uddiyana bandha also allows students to physically rejuvenate their bodies. While the lock is by no means an easy feat, it is very much worth taking the time to learn as soon as you can. Here are some of the most important advantages it will ultimately afford you.
Massages the core muscles
Boosts youthfulness and rejuvenates
Opens the Heart Chakra
Promotes kindness and compassion
Allows for meditation
Strengthens the fire element
Helps to cleanse the body
Opens the spiritual pathways
Improves a person’s patience
Works the muscles
How to do Uddiyana Bandha
Before you get started with the uddiyana bandha, you should ensure that you have an empty stomach. You will also need to inhale and exhale fully at the start of the lock to ready yourself for this position. The bandha can be helpful for a maximum of a minute. However, newcomers to the kundalini practice should work their way up to this period of time.
Directions
- Before you enact this bandha, you should prepare yourself with a breath. Inhale deeply and then exhale. Hold the breath out.
- Move your abdomen upward and backward toward your spine. During this movement, you will find that the navel area contracts. However, your navel will not move upward with the rest of your abdomen.
- Raise your chest area and move the lower spine forward. If you do this correctly, you will feel that the “notch” in the base of your throat becomes more pronounced.
- When you have got into this bandha lock, you should hold it firmly for between 10 and 60 seconds, depending on the period that works for you.
- After you have completed that period, relax the abdomen slowly to release the lock. Come out of the position while taking a deep breath to rid yourself of any tension.
