This is what happens in advanced pranayama techniques. The correct way to manipulate prana is through the breath. Prana governs inhaling and exhaling, thereby giving energy to all physical and mental activity. So, bandhas are a way to lock energy and of manipulating prana life force. As the physical and astral body are linked and we are more used to manipulating our physical body, we use muscle contractions to create both a physical and energetic lock. Traditionally bandhas are meant to manipulate prana, life force, within the astral (energy) body.
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You may be wondering why bandhas are used in the first place. What happens during a bandha? Bandhas and prana - the energy body (astral body) When prana flows properly it optimizes the function, regeneration, and healing of the bodily systems which means optimizing physical and mental health. Udana – the force required for upper body actions like talking, thinking, eye movement, etc.īy applying bandhas, we improve the functioning of these pranas in the body.Vyana – the force required circulation and movement.Prana – the force required for the heart to pump.Samana – the force required for digestion and metabolism.Apana – the force required for excretion, like sweating, urinating, etc.There are five major pranas that provide energy for five different kinds of life activities. The energy or the force we need to do these activities is called prana. Right? So, these activities are called life activities. What can we term as life activities? How do you know if someone is alive or not? You know because they breathe, move, speak, think. These are the forces or energies which we need to carry out life activities. You cannot replace food with batteries as a means of a human energy source. Like there is energy in food, there is energy in the battery but these are different types of energy. Right and wrong! Not all energies are the same. Generally, prana is understood as energy. It is not possible to perform this bandha after inhaling (internal retention). *Note this bandha can only be applied with external retention. It is common to cough a bit when learning Uddiyana Bandha. You are doing B ahaya Kumbhak, external retention (holding the breath out of the body).ĭo not attempt to hold your breath in this position longer than you can do so comfortably without inhaling. Remember that during the retention of this lock you are not breathing. Now hold your breath and the abdomen gently for 8 to 12 counts.By doing this, the diaphragm rises naturally into the thoracic cavity and the abdomen rests against the back of the body, high in the thoracic cavity Imagine you are sucking up noodles through your lips. When the lungs & belly are completely empty, suck the navel in and up.Breath out till there is no air left in your belly. First, empty the lungs & belly by controlled exhalation.Feel supported first seated and comfortable.While standing, place your hands firmly on the thighs, keep the legs apart, and bend your trunk slightly forward. This can be practiced in either a sitting or a standing position.
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*This must be practiced on an empty stomach.