Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock)🔗

When to do - Can be done with internal or external retention of breath

Contraindications – cervical spondylosis, high intracranial pressure, high blood pressure, vertigo, heart disease.

Benefits – This lock stimulates the carotid sinuses. The heart rate is lowered, and there is increased breath retention. This leads to mental relaxation, a meditative state and one pointedness. It also gives mental relaxation relieving anxiety and stress, balances thyroid function and regulates metabolism.

Jalandhara bandha (throat lock)

Awareness – on the throat and sensations related to the breath retention.

Technique

• 1. Sit in padmasana, close eyes, palms on knees. Relax the body.
• 2. Take a slow and deep breath.
• 3. Hold the breath inside, then bend the head forward, pressing chin to collarbone.
• 4. As chin presses down, straighten the arms, and press hands onto knees, raise the shoulders
• 5. Hold breath and position as long as you can without strain.
• 6. To come out of lock, relax shoulders, bend arms, then slowly raise the head and exhale. Breathe only when head is fully upright.
• 7. Repeat when breathing returns to baseline
• 8. A simpler variation of this lock just bend head forward so that chin presses into neck.
• 9. Generally done in combination with specific breathing practices.
• 10. Powerful it compresses the sinuses on the main arteries of the neck. This helps to regulate the circulatory and respiratory systems. The pressure on the throat helps to balance the thyroids.