To further understand bandhas we must extend our
view so as to see them not only as locks but also as removers
of locks or blockages, in the form of physical and mental
impurities. According to the scriptures there are granthis or
psychic knots, located at mooladhara, anahata and ajna
chakras. Granthis represent blockages in man’s awareness
of himself at the different levels of consciousness; they
obscure the true image of man’: essential nature. Tradi-
tionally, bandhas were prescribed as one of the most effective
means of untying these knots or blockages, existing as
tension, anxieties, repressions and unresolved conflicts,
thereby allowing us to rediscover our true nature.
The force generated from the bandhas may be likened
to that of increased pressure in a tube. Imagine a piece of
tubing resting vertically to the ground. This tube represents
sushumna nadi (the main pranic energy channel which
runs up the spine).
1. Moola bandha represents the sealing of the lowest portion
of the tube, thus preventing the downward motion of
prana. It stimulates energy in mooladhara, awakening
kundalini shakti.
2. jalandhan handha seals off the top portion of the tube.
Prana is now locked within this tube.
3. Uddiyana bandha completes maha bandha. It further
increases pranic pressure by stimulating the solar plexus
(manipura chakra), filling and expanding the closed tube.
Thus, when maha bandha is performed, prana is
compressed in sushumna. The locks prevent its downward
and upward movement at the same time stimulating energy.
Release of the bandhas flushes prana through the whole
body, and as prana is by nature vital, life-giving energy, the
body is relaxed, toned and rejuvenated. The granthis can
then be pierced and untied. expanding consciousness.
