________________
MAHA BANDHA
Maha Bandha (the great lock)
Sit in siddha/siddha yoni asana or padmasana with the hands on the knees. The spine should be erect and the head straight. Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose. Exhale forcefully and completely through the mouth. Retain the breath outside. Successively perform jalandhara, uddiyana and moola bandhas in this order. Hold the bandhas and the breath for as long as is comfortable without straining. Then release moola, uddiyana and jalandhara bandhas in this order. Inhale slowly when the head is upright. This is one round. Keep the eyes closed, relax the body and let the breath
return to normal before commencing another round. Awareness: Physical - after performing the bandhas rotate the
consciousness through the perineal, abdominal and throat regions in turn. Remain aware of each region for a few seconds and then move to the next.
419
