Jalandhara Bandha

Jalandhara Bandha

Chin Lock

Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga

Bandha

Sit in padmasana or siddha/siddha yoni asana with the head and spine straight. The knees should be in firm contact with the floor.
Those who cannot manage this may perform jalandhara bandha in a standing position.
Place the palms of the hands on the knees. Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
Inhale slowly and deeply, and retain the breath inside. While retaining the breath, bend the head forward and press the chin tightly against the chest.
Straighten the arms and lock them firmly into position, pressing the knees down with the hands.
Simultaneously, hunch the shoulders upward and forward. This will ensure that the arms stay locked, thus intensifying the pressure applied to the neck.
Stay in the final position for as long as the breath can be held comfortably.
Do not strain. Relax the shoulders, bend the arms, slowly release the lock, raise the head and then exhale.
Repeat when the respiration has returned to normal.

Do not inhale or exhale until the chin lock and armlock have been released and the head is fully upright.

Do not inhale or exhale until the chin lock and armlock have been released and the head is fully upright.
If any sensation of suffocation is felt, immediately stop and rest, once the sensation has passed, resume the practice.

People suffering from cervical spondylosis, high intracranial pressure, vertigo, high blood pressure or heart disease should not practise jalandhara bandha.
Although it reduces blood pressure initially, long retention of the breath brings about some strain on the heart.

Jalandhara bandha compresses the carotid sinuses, which are located on the carotid arteries, the main arteries in the neck.
These sinuses help to regulate the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Normally, a decrease of oxygen and increase of carbon dioxide in the body leads to an increased heart rate and heavier breathing.
This process is initiated by the carotid sinuses, by artificially exerting pressure on these sinuses, this tendency is prevented, allowing for decreased heart rate and increased breath retention.

Depression