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Appendix D
Bandhas Relevant to Pranayama
The word bandha means to 'hold', 'tighten' or 'lock'. These definitions describe the physical action involved in the bandha practices and their effect on the pranic body. Whereas mudras redirect prana by linking up certain circuits in the pranamaya kosha, bandhas redirect and store it by blocking the flow in certain areas of the body, thus forcing it to flow or accumulate in other areas. During the practices, certain parts of the body are contracted. This action also massages, stimulates and influences the muscles, organs, glands and nerves associated with that specific area.
There are three bandhas: jalandhara, uddiyana and moola, and a fourth, maha bandha, is the combination of all three. These bandhas contract the regions of the throat, abdomen and pelvic floor respectively. When one practises internal retention in pranayama, one should assume two bandhas jalandhara and moola. When one practises external retention, one should assume three bandhas - jalandhara, moola and uddiyana.
One gains the maximum benefit from pranayama when retention is practised with the bandhas. There are many reasons for this. Pranayama stimulates the flow of prana, and when the pranas are stimulated one must have a means of forcing this pranic energy up towards the higher centres. Therefore, one needs to create a negative pressure, similar to what is used in pumping water, which will push the pranic
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