The Four Main Body Locks Explained

Bandhas are locks that we can apply to the body to direct the flow of prana and apana.

They protect the energy of your spine and direct the energy to where you want it to go.

Neck Lock

How to apply Neck Lock

  • Sit comfortably with the spine straight.
  • Lift the chest and sternum upward.
  • At the same time. gently stretch the back of the neck straight by pulling the chin toward the back of the neck.
  • The head stays level and centered. and does not tilt forward or to either side.
  • The muscles of the neck and throat remain loose. Keep the muscles of the face and brow relaxed.
  • The stretch is automatically applied by the shift of relative position between the chin and chest. Do not force the head forward or down. That will only result in a sore neck.

What the Neck Lock Achieves

  • It seals the energy that is generated in the upper areas of the brain stem.
  • It prevents undue changes in blood pressure that can sometimes be induced by exercise and breathing. It acts as a safety valve that regulates that pressure by reducing dizziness that can result from a practice.
  • It is easier to focus on internal sensations and perceptions without distraction from the peripheral senses when you hold this lock.
  • It creates nerve reflexes that stimulate and balance the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
  • It directs the flow of pranic energy into the central channel past the neck and in the central channel relative to the heart. Without the neck lock, the pranayama energy could flow to the ears or eyes or other places. With the lock, the heart is calmed and the flow of energy is natural.
  • Helps contain the energy of the Moon Center at the chin.
  • In the yogic texts, it is emphasized that this lock prevents the nectars of the brain from dispersing too quickly. The word jala refers to the brain and its watery secretions; dhar is the upward pull or open gate. Jalandhar is the upward pull that opens the gate to the brain’s watery nectars. In Yogi Bhajan’s terminology, the higher glands of the brain-pituitary, pineal, and hypothalamus-are stimulated in certain practices to secrete hormones and to form a communicative relationship to each other. When the pituitary secretes, it is referred to as “the turning of the lotus of the moon.” It was represented as a cooling flow that would mix with the heated energy from the navel area and the lower nerves. By applying this lock there is an increased concentration of those secretions that allows a new level of interrelatedness between the glands. There are potentials in the mostly dormant pineal that can only be awakened by concentrating the “nectar of the moon.” Fortunately, this lock is a simple systematic practice that gradually leads to opening that special connectedness.

Contraindications

People with high intracranial pressure, vertigo, high blood pressure or heart disease should not practice jalandhar bandh. Refrain from practice if vertigo or dizziness arises.

 

Diaphragm Lock

What: Diaphragm Lock vertically integrates emotions, pranic energy, and functions that occur above and below the diaphragm muscle. Tightness in this muscle – and the emotions it stores – can make this lock more difficult to achieve.

How: Inhale, then exhale completely. Pull the entire abdominal region up and back towards the spine. The navel point is not contracted although it will move upwards. Lift the chest while gently pressing the lower spine forward. When held properly, the “notch” at the base of the front of the throat becomes accentuated. Hold for 10 to 60 seconds without straining. Then relax the abdomen, gradually inhaling without releasing the Neck Lock or raising the chin

When: On an empty stomach. Held after breath fully exhaled

Why: Massages intestines and heart muscle. Stimulates cleansing, promotes youthfulness. Strengthens the fire element, Third Chakra, and opens the Heart Chakra, resulting in increased kindness, compassion, and patience.

Pelvic/Root Lock

What: Root Lock is like a hydraulic lock at the base of the spine. It coordinates, stimulates, and balances the energies involved with the rectum, sex organs, and navel point (i.e. the lower three chakras).

How: Three actions are applied together in a smooth, rapid, flowing motion. First, contract and hold the muscles around the anus. Then contract and hold the muscles around the sex organ (like stopping the flow of urine). Finally, contract the muscles of the lower abdomen and the navel point toward the spine.

When: Frequently applied at the end of an exercise. Sometimes applied – continuously or rhythmically – throughout a meditation or exercise. Breath held in or out. Women on their moon cycle should not apply Root Lock.

Why: Crystallizes the effect of an exercise. Blends prana and apana at the navel center which, when mixed, opens the entrance to the sushmuna for energy to flow up the spine. Stimulates the proper flow of spinal fluid.

Great Lock

What: The Great Lock is part of the central infrastructure of Kundalini Yoga.

How: With the breath held out, apply all three locks (Neck, Diaphragm, and Root) simultaneously

When: On an empty stomach. Held after breath fully exhaled. Done in various postures and with different mudras.

Why: Rejuvenates glands, nerves, and chakras. It is said to cure many ailments such as improper blood pressure, menstrual cramps, intestinal irregularity, and more.

 

Source 3HO

Experiencing the Locks

Like anything else in Kundalini Yoga, the bandhas are best learned by experiencing them. To familiarize yourself with them, sit on your heels with the knees spread slightly apart. Rest your palms on your thighs.

  • Inhale, exhale, and apply root lock. Breathe in and relax it.
  • Inhale, exhale, and apply diaphragm lock. Then breathe in and relax it.
  • Apply neck lock and relax it.
  • Repeat exercises 1-3 for 3 minutes. Do it correctly, and the body will sweat. This short practice will develop your ability to distinguish the locks from each other. It may also give you a sense for how the energy moves through the subtle body.