- Bandha
"Bandha" (Sanskrit: बन्ध -binding, bond, arrest, capturing, putting together etc. [ [http://lexica.indica-et-buddhica.org/dict/lexica]
Monier-Williams dictionary] ) is a term often employed in relation to yogic discourse and instruction. The term denotes a "binding", "lock" or "bondage" that may be either internal or external to the body."Bandha" may be defined as a particular focused and intentional action involving pressure, contraction or force on the muscles or some other bodily or phenomena. In yogic traditions, bandha are to be studied, maintained and held principally whilst engaged in
pranayama .Various bandhas are described and elucidated in Yogic texts and discourse. However, rarely is an
exegesis of Bandha provided.Bandhas have been described in "
Hatha Yoga Pradipika " in the chapter relating toMudra s. Ten mudra are codified in this treatise. Of marked importance, the chapter describes "all" bandha as mudra. [Source: http://www.yogapoint.com/info/bandha.htm (Accessed: Friday June 8, 2007)]Hatha Yoga
Bandha are employed in
Hatha Yoga . Hatha Yoga holds that the three types of bandhas,Jalandhara Bandha ,Uddiyana Bandha andMula Bandha have been codified in many ancient texts.Definitions
*("bond/bondage"): the fact that human beings are typically bound by ignorance (avidya), which causes them to lead a life governed by karmic habit rather than inner freedom generated through wisdom (vidya, jnana) [Feuerstein, Georg. [http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/159.cfm 200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms] in "
Yoga Journal "]*(lit. stop or block). It means stopping or blocking the flow of spiritual energy in a specific channel (nadi) of the body by a particular yogic posture. It also means getting rid of the cycles of birth and death. [Sanatan Sanstha. [http://www.sanatan.org/en/glossary/b.htm Glossary] ]
ee also
*
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga#Bandhas
*Bandhu
*Trul khor Notes
References
* Long, Ray (2006). "Scientific Keys Volume I: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga". [http://www.bandhayoga.com/purchase.html (Accessed: Friday June 8, 2007)]
* Maehle, Gregor (2007). "Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy" (Paperback). New World Library. ISBN-10: 1577316061 & ISBN-13: 978-1577316060
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