Uddiyana bandha

Yoga means to join or union. While popular emphasis has been on the varying difficulties of asanas, the relation of the physical practice to bandhas, nadis, chakras are less often spoken of.

In Light on Pranayama, Mr Iyengar speaks that 'prana when made to flow in the body during the practice of pranayama, it is equally necessary for the yogi to employ Bandhas (bondage) to prevent the dissipation of energy and to carry it to the right places without damage. Without the bandhas, the pranayama practice disturbs the flow of prana and injures the nervous system. '

The bandhas commonly practised are jaladarabandha, uddiyana bandha and mulabandha.

In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika,

'Uddiyana means ‘to rise up’ or ‘fly .’ In the practice of uddiyana bandha the abdominal organs are pulled up and in, creating a natural upward flow of energy, therefore, it is often translated as ‘the stomach lift .’ Movement of shakti in the body is described as a bird. In the Upanishads, alternating activities of ida and pingala nadis are said to ensnare the consciousness like a bird which is tied to its perch. It tries to fly away time and time again, but it is constantly pulled down.However, if the shakti of ida and pingala can be brought together and released through sushumna, it will ascend and ultimately it will be freed in sahasrara chakra, the highest'

Mulabandha and uddiyana bandha are techniques which redistribute and rechannel pranic heat and nervous impulses from the lower to the higher centers or from the grosser to the subtler centers.

The photos show Betsy in preparation and uddiyana bandha. Please note that this should be performed under guidance of an experienced teacher.

Om shanti