Yoga Practice Name
Maha Bandha
English Name
The Great Lock
Yoga Practice Branch
Ashtang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Practice Type
Hatha Yoga Category
Bandha
Steps and Description
- Sit in siddha/siddha yoni asana or padmasana with the hands on the knees. The spine should be erect and the head straight. Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose.
- Exhale forcefully and completely through the mouth.
- Retain the breath outside. Successively perform jalandhara, uddiyana and moola
bandhas in this order. Hold the bandhas and the breath for as long as is comfortable without straining. - Then release moola, uddiyana and jalandhara bandhas in this order.
- Inhale slowly when the head is upright.
- This is one round. Keep the eyes closed, relax the body and let the breath
return to normal before commencing another round.
Practice Keynotes
- Do not attempt maha bandha until the other three bandhas have been experienced.
- It can also be done in uttan padasana.
Contraindications
- People suffering from high or low blood pressure, heart conditions, stroke, hernia, stomach or intestinal ulcer, and those recovering from any visceral ailment should avoid this practice.
- Pregnant women should also not attempt this practice.
General Benefits
- Maha bandha gives the benefits of all three bandhas.
- It affects the hormonal secretions of the pineal gland and regulates the entire endocrine system.
- The decaying, degenerative and ageing processes are checked and every cell of the body is rejuvenated.
- It soothes anger and introverts the mind prior to meditation. When perfected it can fully awaken prana in the main chakras.
- It leads to the merger of prana, apana and samana in agni mandala, which is the culmination of all pranayamas.
Benefits for Disease
Depression, Eating disorders
Body and Organ Affected
Neck, Shoulder, Elbow, Arm, Chest, Back, Navel, Abdomen, Hip