Mahabandha Kriya

Introduction

Mahabandha Kriya is a powerful combination of Moolabandha, Uddiyanabandha and Jalandharabandha. Mahabandha means great lock. This kriya awakens the Kundalini and pushes her in the Sushumna. It generate psychic heat that arouses the sleeping goddess. 

Technique

• Sit in any meditative posture
• Relax your whole body and close your eyes
• Place your palms firmly on the knees
• Exhale forcefully though nostrils
• As you exhale tilt head down and place your chin on chest. This is Jalandharabandha
• Contract perineum region and apply Moolabandha
• Because of Moolabandha and Jalandharabandha your abdominal wall will be naturally drawn in. This is Uddiyanabandha
• Now rotate your awareness across all the six chakras starting from Mooladhara to Ajna.
• Then descend the awareness from Ajna back to Mooladhara in descending order
• Retain the breath outside as long as you can
• Now release Moolabandha, Uddiyanabandha and Jalandharabandha
• Inhale slowly and raise the head to original position

One ascent and one descent of awareness makes one round of Mahabandha Kriya. Beginners should do this kriya for 3 rotations gradually increasing the rounds and duration per round. You will be able to stay in this position for longer durations without any discomfort after a long practice. 

Some people may feel mucus in the throat during initial stages. This is normal and it vanishes after a practice of few days.

Signs of correct practice

• Tingling sensation in the spine
• A sense of "something" rushing across the spine
• Meditative state is attained

Signs of erroneous practice

• Pain in perineum, abdomen or throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Pressure accompanied by pain and discomfort in chest
• Dizzy feeling during or after the practice
•  Constipation or allied problems

Scriptural references

The above technique is mentioned directly or indirectly in the following Yogic texts:

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Gheranda Samhita
• Shiva Samhita
• Janeshwari