The Great Lock
Section: Locks/Bandha
Maha Bandha - The Great Lock
- Sit in a comfortable seated position with the spine, neck and head aligned.
- Place the palms of the hands on the knees.
- Inhale and exhale fully.
- Retain the breath out and successively perform jalandhara, uddiyana and moola bandhas.
- Hold the bandhas and the breath out for as long as comfortable.
- Then release in the reverse order - moola, uddiyana and jalandhara bandhas.
- Once the head is upright, inhale slowly.
- Breath is retained out during the practice.
- Perineal, abdominal and throat regions.
- Mooladhara, manipura and vishuddhi chakras.
- Abdominal conditions such as hernia or ulcer.
- High or low blood pressure.
- Heart disease.
- Pregnancy.
- The benefits of all three bandhas.
- Regulates the entire endocrine system.
- Stimulates the function of the pancreas and liver.
- Massages abdominal organs.
- Tones the digestive system.
- Soothes anxiety and tension.
- Practice on an empty stomach.
- When all three Bandhas are used together the practice is known as Maha bandha.
In Sanskrit, Maha means great, just like the name suggests this bandha is said to be one of the greatest. This bandha gives control and command over the mental and physical constitution and has all the benefits of the three different locks combined.
