Maha Bandha: Locking the Great Seal

Maha Bandha develops mastery over the body’s vital energy by combining Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Mula Bandha into a single, powerful technique. This energetic union is revered in ancient yogic scriptures for its profound impact in both the physical and spiritual realms. The term “Maha” translates to “great” or “supreme” from Sanskrit, describing the potency of this practice unifying the three primary bandhas. This technique is central to Kundalini Yoga, as its main purpose is to awaken the Kundalini energy. By uniting the Prana Vayu with the Apana Vayu, Maha Bandha sparks the Kundalini energy, which is then forced up the Shushumna Nadi, activating all seven chakras along the way.

In practice, Maha Bandha acts like a spiritual bridge, helping practitioners reach higher levels of awareness and transforming them deeply from within. By balancing the flow of life force, Maha Bandha opens up a path to better self-understanding and a stronger connection to the universe. 

Benefits of Maha Bandha:

• Rejuvenates the glands, nerves, and chakras. 
• Compounds the benefits of all three bandhas. 
• Affects the hormonal secretions of the pineal gland and regulates the entire endocrine system. 
• Checks degenerative and aging processes, and rejuvenates every cell of the body.
• The Hatha Yoga Pradipika claims that yogis who practice Maha Bandha will be “free of disease, tender as the stalk of a lotus, and live a very long life.” 

How to Practice Maha Bandha:

As this bandha is created with all 3 basic bandhas, please become familiar with each one and their individual contraindications.

In a comfortable seated position:

Inhale completely and then exhale completely. Suspend the breath out, and then apply the 3 bandhas in the following order:

• Apply Mulabandha (Root Lock)
• Apply Uddiyana Bandha (Diaphragm Lock)
• Apply Jalandhara Bandha (Neck Lock)

Hold the bandhas and the breath for as long as comfortable without straining. 

Release the locks in reverse order. First release Jalandhara Bandha, then relax Uddiyana Bandha and finally let go of Mula Bandha.

Tips:

• Only practice on an empty stomach and with the breath held out.  
• To begin, practice this in a seated position. As you master this lock it can be practiced in various postures and with different mudras.
• Practicing Maha Bandha moves energy and can be intense, so start slowly and pay close attention to your body’s needs. 

Contraindications of Maha Bandha:

Maha Bandha is not recommended if you have any of the following conditions:

• Pregnancy. 
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure.
• Stomach disorders. 
• Glaucoma.
• Cardiovascular disease. 
• Any injury in the upper body. 

If you have any of these conditions, please contact your doctor and ask if this practice is safe for you.