One of the three bandhas or locks, practiced by yogis, the Jalandhara Bandha as they call it or the chin lock, has been spoken of in ancients texts Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Gheranda Samhita as the one to activate our Vishuddhi Chakra. The Bandha is practiced by bending the head so that the chin is pressed against the throat right between the gap of the collar bone Thyroid and para thyroid glands gets toned through Jalandhara Bandha and metabolism gets regulated in this process. Many mistake the Jalandhara band for pranayama. But described as a psychic gesture or Mudra in texts like Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, and Gheranda Samhita the ideal time to practice Jalandhara Bandha is after the completion of various asanas and Pranayams and before siting for meditation. Though technically a lot is different in a Jalandhara Bandha and a mudra, they are often clubbed together as they both channel energy into the body that is favorable for higher attainment of Samadhi or Dhyana.
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Taking You Through The Steps To Jalandhara Bandha
- Sit in any meditative pose, like the Padmasana, with your spine straight. Placing both the palms flat on the knees while the knees are in turn touching the floor, close your eyes gently and try to relax the body.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply holding the air for as long as you can. Contract the muscles of your throat and tilt your head to make the chin touch your chest, in a position between the collar bones.
- Now straighten your arms and with your palms press your knees, this would lead to a locked posture. Stay in this position for as long as you can without discomfort. A note of precaution here is, don’t overdo the process beyond your confront as the breath is held inside.
- If you are a beginner, don’t hold this position or the breadth for more than a few seconds. Gradually move to a minute or so. The masterful yogis can hold breath for about three minutes.
- To come out of this position, bend your arms at the elbows, lift your head up, and exhale the air. Reverting to the initial meditation position start taking regular breath.
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- Repeat this entire cycle as many time as you can comfortably.
- Once mastered the position with the breath held inside, try the process with the breath outside, just for a few seconds to begin with, and gradually increase the time. Don’t force yourself to stay on this position if you feel the slightest of discomfort. The moment your body starts protesting unlock yourself from the position to avoid accidents.
- Those suffering from high blood pressure should refrain from practicing the Jalandhara Bandha. Also, patients with heart diseases or weakness, or those suffering from cervical spondylitis should avoid this yoga. Even in case of regular people, if any vertigo or dizziness is experienced, the practiced should be stopped immediately and be resumed only after consulting a physician.
- In general cases, as per the Gheranda Samhita, one can master the Jalandhara Bandha technique in a period of 6 months. This will also give the practitioner psychic powers or as they call it siddhis.
[Also Read: Try These Yoga Poses For Back Pain]
Many Benefits Of The Jalandhara Bandha
There are like a myriad benefits of Jalandhar bandha yoga.
- While performing the chin lock, two important glands, the thyroid and the para thyroid gland are exerted with pressure. This helps in regulating the body metabolism.
- Jalandhara Bandha also prevents the upwards movement of the Prana Shakti.
- This posture works the spinal cord and that in turn enhances blood circulation.
- By impacting the blood vessels just below the neck, the Chin Lock position helps reducing blood supply to the brain. This in turn calms the body activity down and following seasoned practice your body will attain a stillness.
- The practitioner will also experience an increase in his focusing capability.
- Those trying to get rid of a double chin will see gradual diminishing in the same.
- Those who regularly address gathering or practice music will find special benefits as this improves the vocal cords.
Those still in their younger years might not be excited by the idea of yoga, but its benefits are best when experienced firsthand. The same holds good for the Jalandhara Bandha. If you do not suffer from any breathing ailments, blood pressure or heart diseases, you must give it a try.
[Also Read: Restorative Yoga For Restoration]
