|
Thursday, January 15, 2004
|
Uddiyana Bandha, the Abdominal Lock |
|
|
|
|
Bandhas are energetic locks that contain the prana in the torso and concentrate it in the three main energy channels (nadis) of the body. Uddiyana (upward flying) bandha can be performed in a physical and external manner engaging the skeletal muscles; it can also be felt as a subtle and internal energetic process. Uddiyana bandha engages and tones the abdominal muscles creating a strong core and also activates and energizes the 3rd chakra center. Uddiyana bandha should be practiced individually at first, and then it can be incorporated with the other bandhas, asanas, pranayamas and eventually mudras.
To practice Uddiyana Bandha, come into a comfortable siddhasana or sukhasana cross-legged seated position with the palms facing down on top of the knees. Let the eyes softly close and the breath slow and deepen. Quickly exhale all of the breath out through the nose, lean forward, press the palms into the knees, and engage the abdominal muscles to strongly pull the belly in and up under the ribcage. Hold the breath as you hold the abdominal lock for as long as comfortable. To release, soften the abdominal muscles, lean back and very slowly take a breath in through the nose. Take a few slow deep breaths in and out and let your breath return to normal before practicing additional rounds. Begin with practicing three rounds and you can slowly increase it to up to ten rounds over time. Uddiyana Bandha strengthens the digestive fire and tonifies the body's energetic core. The abdominal organs are massaged, toned and purified and the adrenal glands are balanced by the abdominal contraction. Uddiyana Bandha is contraindicated in high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, and pregnancy. To increase the benefits of Uddiyana Bandha it can be combined with Nauli shatkarma. Uddiyana Bandha is also be combined with Mula and Jalandhara Bandas to create the great lock, Maha Bandha. 0 Comments
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
Our Sponsor
 Take live and interactive
online yoga classes from your living room with NowLesson. |
| Premium Content |
|---|
| Our membership site is chocked full of detailed yogic information and deluxe features. Take our membership tour to find out all of the benefits of joining. |
| Spread the Love |
|---|
|
Add this page to one (or more!) of your favorite social bookmarking sites: 
|
| Yoga Scholarships |
|---|
| To encourage and support the development and training of great yoga teachers we have created a Yoga Scholarship program. If you need financial assistance for your 200+ hour yoga teacher training please apply for our scholarship. Partial scholarships are awarded twice a year to qualified candidates. |
| Yogic Wisdom |
|---|
|
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
but hope for the patience to win my freedom. Rabindranath Tagore |
Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
