Kundalini Yoga Bandhas

In general
The Bandhas are the locks applied to body areas, which direct the prana and the
apana. The locks are the basic techniques that accumulate the effect of the
efforts of the practinioner. They allow an equilibrium to be established, that has
enormous impact on the entire system of the body and the mind. There are three
main bandhas:

Kundalini Yoga bandhas: Jalandhara bandha

This is the first most basic and most generally applied of the locks. It is a
general rule to apply it in all chnating meditationss and during most pranayama
exercises. Whenever yoy are holding the breath in or out, it is usually applied
unless instructed otherwise

To apply Neck Lock: 1. Sit comfortably with the spine straight. 2. Lift the chest
and sternum upward. 3. at the same time gently strecht the back of the neck
straight by pulling the chin toward the back of the neck. 4. The head stays level
and centered and does not tilt froward or to either side. 5. The muscles of the
neck and throat remain loose. Keep the muscles of the face and brow relaxed.
6. The stretch is automattically applied by the shift of relative position between
the chin and the chest. Do not force the head forward or down. That will only
result in a sore neck.

What the Neck Lock achieves: 1. It seals the enrgy that is generated in the upper
areas of the brain stem. 2. It prevents undue changes in blood pressure that can
sometimes be induced by exercise and breathing. It acts as a safety valve that
regulates that pressure by inducing dizziness that can result from a practice. 3.
It is easier to focus on internal sensations and perceptions without distraction
from the peripheal senses when you hold this lock. 4. It cerates nerve reflexes
that stimulate and balance the thyroid and parathyroid glands. 5. It directs the
flow of pranic energy into the central channel past the neck and in the channel
relative to the heart. Without the neck lock, thepranayama energy could flow to
the ears or eyes or other places. With the lock the heart is calmed and the flow
of energy is natural. 6. Helps contain the energy of the Moon Center at the chin.
Kundalini Yoga bandhas: Mulbandh

THis is the most complex of the three body locks. It is like a hydaulic lock at
the base of the spine. It coordinates, stimulates, and balances the nergies
involved with the rectum, sex organs, and Navel point. It redirects excess
sexual energy into creativity and bodily repair. It there is a lack of sexual
vitality, this helps correct it. This bandh is frequently applied at the end of an
exercise or exercise series to crystallize its effects. It is usally applied in
conjunction with Neck Lock. Root Lock is a smooth motion that consists of
three parts.

To apply the Root Lock: 1. First contact the anal sphincter: feel the muscles lift
upward and inward. 2. Once these muscles thighten and move , contract the
area around the sex organ. This is experienced as a slight lift and rotation
inward of pubic bone. It is like trying to stem t the flow of urine through the
urethral tract. 3. Then contract the lower abdominal muscles and the Navel
Point toward the spine. 4. These three actions applied together in a smooth,
rapid, flowing motion in the mulbandh. 5. This lock can be applied with the
breath retained in or out. Root Lock diifers from Diaphragm Lock in that the
navel area is not contracted, while in Roo lock it is. 6. Root Lock is sometimes
applied throughout a meditation or exercise. This is possible because the
muscle groups used are distinct from the muscles used fro upper breathing or
torso movements.

What the Root Lock achieves: 1. The key function is the blending of the prana
and apana at the navel center. The mulbandh redirects the apana from its
normal course downward to the First Chakra. There it joins the downward flow
of pranic energy at the navel. When these meet an inner heat, or tapa is created,
which then opens the entrance to the sushmuna, the central channel for energy
flow up the spine. 2. It starts the process of transformation from gross to subtle.
3. It stimulates the proper flow of spninal fluid.