Mantras
A form of yoga that uses mantras to awaken the self and deepen the meditative aspect of physical practice.
The practice
What the bandhas are
Bandha means to lock, to close off, to stop. In the practice of bandha the flow of energy to a particular area of the body is blocked. When the bandha is released, that causes the energy to flood more strongly through the body, with increased pressure.
The bandhas are used to stimulate prana and the chakras. They are taught after the breath is steady, because they are built on pranayama rather than alongside it.
In a session
What a bandhas class includes
- Mula bandha, Uddiyana bandha and Jalandhara bandha, taught in order
- Maha bandha, the three together, once each is reliable on its own
- How each one is engaged, held and — the part that matters — released
- Where each sits within a breath cycle
- The cautions, and who should leave a particular bandha alone for now
Why practise
What the bandhas are good for
- Prana and the chakras stimulated directly
- A pranayama practice that goes further than the breath alone
- Core and pelvic-floor awareness that carries into everything else
- A clear route on from a settled breathing practice
The bandhas online and offline in Hyderabad
Live online sessions run daily from 10:00 to 11:00 AM IST, and at 5:30 PM EST for students in the United States. Offline sessions are taught in person at our studio in Abids, Hyderabad. You can use either, or both.
Questions
Bandhas — Energy Locks FAQs
Do I need experience before learning bandhas?
Yes. Bandhas rest on a steady pranayama practice, so we teach the breath first. Coming to them too early is the usual reason they do not work.
Are the bandhas safe in pregnancy?
Several are not, particularly Uddiyana bandha. If you are pregnant, tell us at the start and we will teach what is appropriate for your stage — our prenatal classes cover this properly.
How long does each bandha take to learn?
Mula bandha usually comes first and can take a few weeks to locate reliably. The others follow once it does. This is not a practice to rush.
Also from us
Related practices
Ayurvedic and Yogic Cleansing
Ayurveda names five cleansing techniques — panchakarma: Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and Raktamokshana.
Pranayama
The yogic practice of focusing on the breath.