“Core” is a popular buzzword in fitness classes these days, but it is not a new idea; yogis have been strengthening their deep core muscles for ages through the practice ofbandha.Bandhas are strong holds, or locks, traditionally thought to direct energy in the body. Physically, they activate some of the most important muscles for postural stability.
Thecore includes the set of muscles that stabilize the low back with respect to the rib cage and pelvis. Although someone with a ripped six pack may the poster child for a strong core, the rectus abdominis (six pack muscle) does not contribute much to the core’s function. These are the main muscles of the core:
To yogis, the core is about more than only physical alignment. It is also about energetic alignment. Here are the age-old practices yogis have been using to find their centers for centuries:
Mula Bandha
Sanskrit: Mula means “root” andbandha means “lock.”
Instructions: Sitting in a comfortable position with a neutral pelvis, take a deep inhale through the nose. As you exhale, engage the pelvic floor muscles to draw the pubic bone (front center of the pelvis) toward the tailbone and the sit bones (bony areas under each butt cheek) toward one another. Feel the area between the genitals and anus, the perineum, lift. The pelvis itself does not move at all; it stays neutral. Hold for four to eight seconds, then release.
Physiology: Mula bandha in an engagement of the internal sling of muscles that line the pelvis. The levator ani muscles connect the pubic bone to the tailbone and sit bones, and also connect to the perineum. These muscles form the foundation of the core, and are play a vital role in bowel and bladder control, sexual function, and childbirth.
Energy: In a seated position, your torso is a chamber of prana, and the pelvic floor is its base. Engaging mula bandha prevents energy from leaking out of your foundation and redirects it into the central channel.Mula Bandha also activates the root chakra (muladhara).
Uddiyana bandha
Sanskrit: Uddiyana means “upward,” referring to the direction of energy elicited by pulling the abdomen in and up. It is often referred to as the abdominal lock.
Instructions: Stand with the feet wider than hips width with the torso leaning slightly forward, knees bent, and hands on the thighs. Take a deep inhale to prepare then exhale all your air. Hold the breath out and draw your navel in and up under the rib cage so the belly hollows out. Hold for a four to eight seconds, then release the belly and inhale as you straighten up.
Physiology: Uddiyana bandha is a deep engagement of the transversus abdominis. Not only does this strengthen the core, it massages the abdominal organs to refresh blood flow and relieve constipation.Uddiyana bandha is unique in that it stretches diaphragm muscle. It is important to keep the diaphragm healthy and supple because it is the primary muscle for breathing; integrates directly with the esophagus and major blood vessels to and from the heart; and has long reaching fascial connections neck and core muscles.
Energy: Uddiyana bandha activates and stimulates the solar plexus chakra (manipura)
Jalandhara Bandha
Sanskrit:Jal means throat,jalan means net, anddharan means stream or flow.Jalandhara bandha is a net that directs the flow up energy up the neck. It is often referred to as the throat lock.
Instructions: In a comfortable seated position with your ears aligned above your shoulders, inhale to prepare, then exhale all your air. Retaining the breath out draw your chin toward your throat (giving yourself a “double chin”) then continue curling the neck to bring the chin toward the sternum. Curling the neck from top to bottom without jutting the chin forward is important to maintain length. Dropping the chin forward and down to the chest may compress the neck and create energetic blocks. After holding for four to eight seconds, lift the chin and inhale.
Physiology: In the rehabilitation world, the deep neck flexor muscles that work to curl the neck injalandhara bandha are known as the core of the neck. Jutting the head forward of the shoulders is a common postural misalignment in which these muscles become weak and dysfunctional. When the neck is out of alignment it throws the rest of the spine out of alignment and causes dysfunction in all the core muscles mentioned above.Jalandhara bandha strengthens the deep muscles of the neck to set us up for healthy spine alignment and core stability. Compressing and releasing the front of the throat also stimulates the thyroid gland, which is responsible for metabolism.
Energy: Jalandhara bandha vibrates and purifies the throat chakra (vishuddhi), and directs energy upward toward the higher chakras.
Maha Bandha,
Sanskrit: Maha means “great,” somaha bandha is the great lock.
Instructions: Maha bandha is a combination of all three bandhas. Sitting on the shins (or another comfortable position), first engagejalandhara bandha (the throat lock), thenuddiyana bandha (the abdominal lock), and finallymula bandha (the root lock). After holding all three bandhas for four to eight second, release thebandhas in the same order you engaged them.
Physiology and Energy: Maha bandha has all the physical and energetic benefits mentioned above
