HOA Bandhas & Vayus Exercises 

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Bandha, meaning “lock” is a practice of holding energy in a particular place in the body.

 

Mula Bandha—contraction of the perineum. Keeps the energy from going down out of the Root Chakra into the ground. It is good for drawing energy upward, but not good for grounding.

 

Uddiyana Bandha—contraction of the abdomen into the ribcage. It is good for clearing the Solar Plexus Chakra, stimulating digestion, and releasing in general. It pushes air out of the Solar Plexus Chakra and holds it empty.

 

Jalandhara Bandha—is a chin-lock (tucking the chin to the chest) that helps to hold the energy in the middle torso, especially the Heart Chakra. However, if you are practicing Udana Vayu, simply tuck chin in towards cervical spine.

 

Maha Bandha—combining all three of the above Bandhas and rolling the eyes up. It helps to regulate the entire endocrine system.

 

Doing Pranayama breathing in conjunction with Bandhas is a way of energising the body and then directing that energy into a particular place.

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