What are Bandhas? How to Engage Them to Enhance Your Yoga Practice

There are many layers to a yoga practice. Once you understand the basics of proper alignment, the names of each pose, and perhaps a few Sanskrit terms, you may be ready to dive deeper into your physical practice. One of the most interesting and useful aspects of a yoga practice is understanding the Bandhas.
 
 

Learn and Practice the Energetic Locks with This Online Class

Understanding and utilizing the power of the bandhas will help you find more control, body awareness, strength, and stabilization in physical poses, and immensely deepen your entire practice as a result. In this class on YA Classes, you will explore each bandha and learn how to engage them. Not yet a YA Classes member? Try it out for free for 14 days.

What are Bandhas?

Bandhas are most commonly referred to as “energetic locks.” You can activate them to strengthen your practice through mind and body. They create more strength and stability in certain poses and are often used in tandem with specific pranayama, or “breath control,” practices.
 

There are four principle Bandhas and each helps deepen your internal energetic flow and connection.

Learn How to Use the 4 Main Bandhas in Your Yoga Practice and Explore Their Benefits:

Mula Bandha: Root Lock

Commonly referred to as the “root lock,” the Mula Bandha contracts the muscles of the pelvic floor while simultaneously redirecting energy up the spine – and towards higher stages of consciousness.
 
While energetic results are not immediate and require continual practice, the physical activation of the root lock helps protect you during your yoga practice.
 
How to practice:

1. Focus on contracting the anus and the pelvic floor (similar to Kegel exercises)
2. Keep the contraction and continue to lengthen the spine and draw the pubic bone inward and upward
3. Continue to breathe normally as you practice Mula Bandha (i.e. practicing this bandha should not hinder your breathing or pranayama practice)
4. When you are ready to release the lock, do so on your exhale

 
 
Yoga poses to practice Mula Bandha:
 
1. Utkatasana (Chair Pose)

1. Stand with the feet together or hip-width distance apart if you feel pressure in your low back. Bend the knees and lower the hips like you’re sitting in a chair
2. Reach the arms overhead and keep your chest lifted
3. Squeeze the legs together and engage the pelvic floor
4. Take at least 5 deep breaths and concentrate on activating this energy lock

 
2. Navasana (Boat Pose)

1. Begin in a seated position with your knees bent and feet on the floor
2. Lift the pelvic floor as you lean back. Keep the chest lifted and your spine long
3. Lift the legs to about a 45 degree angle. Keep your knees bent to alleviate low back pain and/or tight hip flexors
4. Bring the arms parallel to the floor. You may also reach for your hamstrings or shins
5. Hold Boat Pose and contract the energy lock for 10 deep breaths

 
3. Malasana (Garland Pose)

1. Stand with your feet hip-width distance apart
2. Lift the pelvic floor, contracting Mula Bandha and bend the knees to squat down
3. Bring your hands to heart center and press your elbows against your knees
4. Take 10 deep breaths and activate this energy lock

 
You can work with Mula Bandha, especially in any yoga pose that invites deep core work, to provide stability and strength in your practice.
 
Looking for more yoga tutorials and yoga tips? Check out our full library of Yoga articles here
 

Uddiyana Bandha: Flying Upward Lock

The Uddiyana Bandha is located between the navel and spine where the diaphragm forms an energetic and physical funnel. Known as the “flying upward lock,” Uddiyana Bandha brings fire to the digestive system and lightness to your yoga poses.
 
Energetically, this bandha is a powerhouse that moves our energy and awareness to the higher realms of the heart chakra. This movement of energy brings less stress and more love into your everyday life.
 
How to practice:

1. Inhale into the body and fully exhale
2. Hold the out breath
3. Then with a straight spine, pull the belly in toward the spinal column but do not release the breath
4. Hold this energy lock for 10-15 seconds
5. Release slowly by softening the abdomen and taking an inhalation

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When you practice Uddiyana Bandha, don’t get caught up in overthinking it or trying to make it perfect. Uddiyana Bandha is mostly used when moving between poses to help stabilize the body. Practice Uddiyana Bandha during your practice and soon it will become second nature.
 
When to practice:

1. The Jump Back to Chaturanga

1. Stand at the top your mat in Forward Fold with the feet together and place your hands on the mat
2. Then lift the pelvic floor (Mula Bandha) and pull the navel toward the spine (Uddiyana Bandha)
3. Hold the exhale and transfer the weight into the hands and hop the feet back to Chaturanga
4. Practice this often to become more aware of Uddiyana Bandha

 
You may want to read: 5 Tips to Practice Chaturanga Correctly
 
 

Jalandhara Bandha: Throat Lock

Jalandhara Bandha is mostly used in pranayama and meditation. During meditation, Jalandhara Bandha moves and holds energy in the upper chakras. It increases the potency of meditation and concentration.
 
How to practice:

1. Find a comfortable seated position, sit up tall and place your hands on your knees
2. Lengthen the back of the neck
3. Slightly tuck chin to chest
4. Close the eyes and keep them relaxed while continuing to breath normally
5. Hold for as long as you are comfortable

 
Keep the energy contained within the base of the spine and throat; this lock
can help keep the energy from being expended from the five senses and even the hands and feet while practicing.
 

Maha Bandha: The Great Lock

Simply described as “the great lock,” the Maha Bandha is a combination of all the bandhas or locks at the same time. One of the ultimate benefits of this pose is the way it quiets the mind. Since Maha Bandha can only be practiced in a limited number of yoga poses, Maha Bandha is mostly used in meditation and pranayama practices.
 
How to practice:

1. Sit in a comfortable meditative position
2. Take a few slow and deep breaths through the nose
3. Take a final inhalation, and then slowly and completely exhale the air
4. At the bottom of the exhalation, lift Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and finally Jalandhara Bandha
5. Remain there for a few short moments (longer over time) and then release the locks and take an inhalation

Note: Maha Bandha should only be performed after you are extremely comfortable with practicing Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and Jalandhara Bandha separately.
 
 

Give It a Try – Explore Adding the Energetic Locks Into Your Yoga Practice

As you practice these energetic locks, note which cause unease: this may signify a need to soften your practice or address energetic or emotional obstacles. With time, repetition, and patience, practicing these internal locks will become second nature and quickly become wonderful tools for your life and your yoga practice.

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