Jalandhara Bandha is one of the three principal Bandhas named by Swami Svatmarama in the practice of Hatha Yoga. The main purpose of the practice of Hatha Yoga is to render the mind pure and pave the way for the attainment of spiritual absorption. Pranayama and Asanas are the two valid instruments of Hatha Yoga that help a lot towards the attainment of the state of Samadhi. The designer of Hatha Yoga says that Bandhas if practiced along with Pranayama and selected asanas will go a long a way in shaping the mind and body to perfection. A Bandha is literally called as a ‘lock’. It is important to know that in Jalandhara Bandha chin lock takes place. Hence it is called as the Chin Lock action.
The execution of Jalandhara Bandha needs a certain kind of technique to follow. To begin with you have to sit in an easy asana, namely the Padmasana. You can also sit in the Siddhasana before beginning to do the Jalandhara Bandha. Bend you neck slightly forward. Ensure that it should not bend too much. You should also ensure that your chest is expanded sufficiently and your back is straightened. You neck should remain in the bent position. Inhalation and exhalation can be done in a relaxed manner for a while. You can bring back your neck to the normal position after some time. Repeat the process after some rest. Although Jalandhara Bandha is an easy Bandha to perform it is characterized by a number of health and therapeutic benefits.
It is important to know that the Bandhas should be practiced only under the guidance of an able Yoga teacher or guru. Bandhas should not be practiced on your own without the guidance of a Yoga teacher. When practiced under proper guidance the Jalandhara Bandha Due to the chin lock that takes place in the execution of this Bandha, the spinal cord gets toned up nicely. Spinal cord is an important part of the human body as it controls the whole body. Patients that suffer from thyroid-related ailments get cured by the practice of the Jalandhara Bandha.