From the Archives of Yoga and Total Health Uddiyana

Published in ‘Yoga and Total Health’ September 1999

- Shri Yogendraji

The Yoga Sutra put the traditional practice in their perspective - the techniques or Upayas on one side and urge or Samvega on another. The later traditions when dealing with techniques play them up sky-high. Out of over twenty Hatha Yoga texts referred, most would consider a technique like Uddiyana Bandha (also put under Mudra), as the best amongst the Bandhas, the destroyer of all pain, the conqueror of death, a great rejuvenator, and an eradicator of disease, etc. besides sublimating Prana energy into Sushumna and awakening the Kundalini. A practice of this Bandha four times a day after the correct instructions of the Guru for six months in a very quiet place (well-governed) and where the student is undisturbed are the other requisites to achieve the above results. Some more benefits listed are the destruction of throat pain, purification of the navel region, ignition of gastric fire, an increase of Rasa secretions, etc.

Of the many posture-accessories compiled for a complete study of physiological yoga, the one to be first recommended to the initiate is the Uddiyana Bandha or the technique of intraabdominal control through compression. It is both easy and healthy besides being essential in the study of yoga posture and breathing exercises.