Bandhas. Energetic and Physical Locks as the Foundation of Professional Yogic Practice
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
kurspoyoge.com
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website:
yogaalliance.com.ua
Bandhas are not merely technical elements of Hatha Yoga, nor are they isolated physical actions.
In the classical yogic tradition, bandhas are regarded as a key tool for governing prana, consciousness, and the inner processes of the human being.
For a future yoga instructor, a deep understanding of bandhas is an essential part of professional training. Without mastering bandhas, it is impossible to work correctly with pranayama, kriyas, meditation, and the subtle dimensions of yogic practice.
What Are Bandhas: Beyond Simple Physical Contraction
Bandhas are energetic and physical locks achieved through the conscious contraction of specific muscle groups in combination with breathing, breath retention, and focused attention.
On the physical level, bandhas manifest as:
•muscular contractions,
•changes in pressure within internal cavities,
•redistribution of blood and lymph.
On the energetic level:
•direction and retention of prana,
•stabilization of energetic flows,
•activation of the central energy channel (sushumna).
On the psycho-emotional and mental levels:
•increased mental stability,
•reduction of chaotic thinking,
•deepening of concentration and awareness.
Thus, bandhas serve as a bridge between body, breath, and consciousness.
Energetic Locks and the Management of Prana
During the practice of the upper, middle, and lower bandhas, energy becomes concentrated in areas of muscular engagement and is subsequently redirected through the energetic channels (nadis).
Pranic energy:
•ceases to dissipate chaotically,
•is gathered and retained within the body,
•begins to circulate in a more orderly and efficient manner.
As a result:
•the body is infused with fresh vital force,
•overall energetic tone increases,
•the coordinated functioning of all organs and bodily systems improves.
It is precisely the mastery of prana that distinguishes superficial physical exercise from authentic yoga practice.
Bandhas as a Method of Purification and Release of Inner Blocks
To fully understand bandhas, one must move beyond a purely physical perspective.
Bandhas are not only “locks”; they are also a mechanism for releasing accumulated tension and blockages, manifesting on both physical and psychological levels.
Classical yogic texts describe granthis — psycho-energetic knots located in key areas:
•Muladhara granthi — blocks related to survival, fear, and instability;
•Anahata granthi — emotional contractions, attachments, and inner conflicts;
•Ajna granthi — mental limitations, false beliefs, and illusions.
These knots manifest in human life as:
•chronic muscular tension,
•irritability and emotional outbursts,
•internal conflicts,
•a sense of stagnation and lack of development.
Bandhas are traditionally regarded as one of the most effective means of untying these knots, allowing energy to rise freely and consciousness to transform.
The Main Types of Bandhas
Classical Hatha Yoga identifies three primary locks.
1. Jalandhara Bandha — The Throat Lock
Affects:
•the neck and throat region,
•the thyroid and parathyroid glands,
•the Vishuddha chakra.
Effects:
•regulation of metabolism,
•stabilization of the nervous system,
•balancing of mental activity.
2. Uddiyana Bandha — The Abdominal Lock
Affects:
•the abdominal organs,
•the solar plexus,
•the Manipura chakra.
Effects:
•stimulation of digestion,
•activation of inner fire (agni),
•increased vitality and endurance.
3. Mula Bandha — The Root Lock
Affects:
•the pelvic floor,
•the endocrine system,
•the Muladhara chakra.
Effects:
•stabilization of the psyche,
•strengthening of inner support,
•directing energy upward through the sushumna.
The Paradox of the True Meaning of Bandhas
The true essence of bandhas is deeply paradoxical.
We deliberately create tension on the physical level, yet simultaneously:
•expansion occurs on the pranic level,
•liberation on the mental level,
•stabilization on the psycho-emotional level.
Through the conscious application of locks, a spontaneous process of inner opening and transformation is initiated.
The Influence of Bandhas on Chakras and the Endocrine System
Bandhas directly influence the endocrine glands, which are closely connected to the chakra system.
Stimulation of the chakras through bandhas affects:
•hormonal balance,
•emotional state,
•overall energy levels.
Every cell of the body receives:
•more oxygen,
•more nutrients,
•more vital force.
Massage of Internal Organs and Physiological Effects
In addition to their energetic influence, bandhas:
•provide deep massage to internal organs,
•improve blood circulation,
•activate lymphatic flow,
•promote tissue purification.
This makes bandhas a powerful tool for prevention and restoration of bodily health.
Why Every Future Yoga Instructor Must Master Bandhas
A yoga instructor is responsible not only for the external form of asanas, but also for:
•the safety of the practice,
•correct work with breathing,
•the energetic state of students.
Without a deep understanding of bandhas, it is impossible to:
•teach pranayama competently,
•safely apply breath retention,
•guide students into meditative states.
Bandhas as an Essential Part of Every Practice
Our task in every practice is to consciously integrate all bandhas, adapting them to the level and condition of the practitioner.
Regular work with bandhas:
•transforms yoga into a holistic system,
•deepens the practice,
•forms a true instructor rather than merely a physical trainer.
Bandhas are the key to mastering the body, energy, and consciousness.
That is why their in-depth study is an integral part of professional yoga teacher training programs.
Yoga Instructor Training
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance School invites you to yoga instructor training courses, individual sessions, and an introductory class in classical Hatha Yoga.
Yoga begins with fundamental elements—breath, nutrition, and awareness. These form the basis of the professional path of a yoga instructor.
Yoga Instructor Training Courses Are Designed For:
•yoga practitioners who wish to become teachers;
•instructors seeking to improve their qualifications;
•anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of yoga and human energetic systems.
Training is conducted in the following formats:
•online and offline;
•with a step-by-step training system;
•with official certification.
Enroll in Yoga Instructor Training
If you want to:
•gain a deep understanding of yoga;
•master energetic anatomy and the chakra system;
•become a professional yoga instructor;
yoga instructor training courses will become the foundation of your professional and personal growth.
Enroll in the program and begin your path to a new profession today.
“Yoga. The Golden Standard” Course
The “Yoga. The Golden Standard” course is a systematic professional training program for yoga instructors based on classical standards.
From the very first classes, you will experience qualitative changes in your practice and receive a solid foundation of knowledge that will support many years of personal development and teaching.
Professional Standards for Instructor Training
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization responsible for establishing and maintaining yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community;
•developing and approving qualification requirements;
•official certification of yoga instructors;
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Teachers.
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization that establishes and maintains yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community,
•developing and approving qualification requirements,
•official certification of yoga instructors,
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Yoga Teachers.
Training Format and Examination
Within online yoga instructor training courses, students of the Yoga Alliance School undergo mandatory practical and theoretical assessment.
Passing Surya Namaskar is part of the examination process.
A video of the exam, conducted within online courses, is available via the link — click to watch.
You can watch a full video overview of the online course by the Head of the Yoga Alliance, Vladimir Bondarenko, on our YouTube channel by following the link.
Training Locations and Tuition Fees
Branches of the Yoga Alliance School have resumed operations in the following cities:
• Kyiv
• Kharkiv
• Dnipro
• Odesa
• Lviv
• Klaipėda (Lithuania)
• Bansko (Bulgaria)
• Athens (Greece)
• Prague (Czech Republic)
• Torrevieja (Spain)
• Vienna (Austria)
• Cascais (Portugal)
These branches offer continuously running offline yoga instructor training courses led by senior instructors of the Alliance.
Tuition fees:
•online course — 15,500 UAH
•offline course — 17,500 UAH
Since August 2022, instructors who successfully pass examinations with distinction receive the right to train future yoga instructors on behalf of the Yoga Alliance and conduct teacher training courses jointly with the Organization.
Such instructors receive the status of Senior Instructor of the Yoga Alliance and earn 50% of the course fee for each student.
For full details, contact us via Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp:
+380984777777
Training Results
After completing the one-month course and successfully passing the exams, you will:
•receive two international Yoga Alliance certificates registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine;
•obtain the right to teach yoga in more than 100 countries worldwide;
•master a well-structured class format including kriyas, pranayama, and meditation;
•receive lifetime access to video lessons, an application for learning posture names, and 12 balanced printed lesson plans for the first year of teaching;
•receive the “Gold Standard” methodological guide — a detailed manual on asanas, chakras, mudras, bandhas, and key techniques of classical yoga.
Additional Materials
Contacts and Registration
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website:
Оставить комментарий