Generally
speaking Yoga is mind/body connection. Specifically, Feeling strong,
balanced, flexible and relaxed is the purpose of practising yoga. There
are five major areas to feel through our bodies for strength, balance
and flexibility which provide poise; relaxed movement.
The five feeling areas are called locks (bandhas). When we squeeze or feel deeply these areas hug from the inside. The bandhas are located at the feet, pelvis, core (back/abs), neck and hands.
Let's begin with our feet. Feeling the pads of the heals, outer edges, balls and toes while separating the toes wide helps the feet suction. This is known as Pada Bandha.
Mula Bandha occurs at the pubococcygeus with the pelvic floor muscles. By gripping, feeling suction and lengthening here a person's energy begins to rise (kundalini). The strength, balance and flexibility of the body reverberates up.
The abdominals sink back. The torso lifts. The spine lengthens. Udyana Bandha (hold), strengthens the body's core.
Continue feeling dynamism by lengthening the neck. Contract the front (anterior) muscles of the neck (sternocleidomastoid). Ensure shoulders are relaxed back and down by gently squeezing the muscles (rhomboids) which connect the shoulder blades (scapula), lift the chest, align ears over shoulders - lead with the heart not the head. Jalandhara bandha is obtained by holding this alignment, even while hinging or extending forward.
Hasta Bandha occurs during hand supported poses, energy can be felt at the palms of the hands. Fingers splay wide; imagine hands with a suction cup, starfish or geco grip. The weight of the body is felt to the tips of the fingers relieving wrist pressure.
Bandha practice with breathes (pranayma) enforces body holds with ease when grip, lift, length and suction improve our body's strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation (pratyahara). Feeling sensations our deepest sense of postural (asana) awareness is known (samadhi) through empowered (dhyana) focus (dharna)!
The five feeling areas are called locks (bandhas). When we squeeze or feel deeply these areas hug from the inside. The bandhas are located at the feet, pelvis, core (back/abs), neck and hands.
Let's begin with our feet. Feeling the pads of the heals, outer edges, balls and toes while separating the toes wide helps the feet suction. This is known as Pada Bandha.
Mula Bandha occurs at the pubococcygeus with the pelvic floor muscles. By gripping, feeling suction and lengthening here a person's energy begins to rise (kundalini). The strength, balance and flexibility of the body reverberates up.
The abdominals sink back. The torso lifts. The spine lengthens. Udyana Bandha (hold), strengthens the body's core.
Continue feeling dynamism by lengthening the neck. Contract the front (anterior) muscles of the neck (sternocleidomastoid). Ensure shoulders are relaxed back and down by gently squeezing the muscles (rhomboids) which connect the shoulder blades (scapula), lift the chest, align ears over shoulders - lead with the heart not the head. Jalandhara bandha is obtained by holding this alignment, even while hinging or extending forward.
Hasta Bandha occurs during hand supported poses, energy can be felt at the palms of the hands. Fingers splay wide; imagine hands with a suction cup, starfish or geco grip. The weight of the body is felt to the tips of the fingers relieving wrist pressure.
Bandha practice with breathes (pranayma) enforces body holds with ease when grip, lift, length and suction improve our body's strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation (pratyahara). Feeling sensations our deepest sense of postural (asana) awareness is known (samadhi) through empowered (dhyana) focus (dharna)!
For more information visit www.yogatrainingtouch.com
