Bandha (pron. ban-dha) is a Sanskrit 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 and mudra are cognate. Statue of Shiva performing Yogic meditation Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a Sanskrit word that has a wide range of different meanings. ... A mudrā (Sanskrit, मुद्रा, literally seal) is a symbolic gesture usually made with the hand or fingers. ...

Bandha may be defined as a particular focused and intentional action involving pressure, contraction or force on the muscles or some other bodily or sensate phenomena. In yogic traditions, bandha are to be studied, maintained and held principally whilst engaged in pranayama. Pranayama (Devanagari: प्राणायाम, prāNāyāma) is a sanskrit word that means control (yama) of the life force (prana). ...

Various bandhas are described and elucidated in Yogic texts and discourse. However, rarely is an exegesis of Bandha provided. Exegesis (from the Greek to lead out) involves an extensive and critical interpretation of a text, especially of a holy scripture, such as of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Talmud, the Midrash, the Quran, etc. ...

Bandhas have been described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika in the chapter relating to Mudras. Ten mudra are codified in this treatise. Of marked importance, the chapter describes all bandha as mudra. ^[1] The most fundamental text of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a Sanskrit classic written by Swami Swatamarama, a disciple of Swami Goraknath. ... A mudrā (Sanskrit, मुद्रा, literally seal) is a symbolic gesture usually made with the hand or fingers. ...

Hatha Yoga

Bandha are employed in Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga holds that the three types of bandhas, Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and Mula Bandha have been codified in many ancient texts. Hatha Yoga posture performed at a Hindu temple. ...

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) ^[2]

• (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.^[3]

See also

• Trul khor
• Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Trul khor (lit. ... The term ashtanga means eight limbs. ...

Notes

1. ^ Source: http://www.yogapoint.com/info/bandha.htm (Accessed: Friday June 8, 2007)
2. ^ Feuerstein, Georg. 200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms in Yoga Journal
3. ^ Sanatan Sanstha. Glossary

Dr. Georg Feuerstein (born 1947) is a well-known German-Canadian Indologist, and a Western authority on Yoga. ...

References

• Long, Ray (2006). Scientific Keys Volume I: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga. (Accessed: Friday June 8, 2007)