The word ‘Uddiyana’ comes from ‘ud’ and ‘di’, which means to fly up or to rise up. Through this bandha, prana like a bird flies up incessantly, hence it is called uddiyanabandha.
Stages for Practice
- Sit comfortably in Siddhasana or Padmasana.
- Place both the hands (palms) on the knees firmly.
- Exhale completely through mouth and hold the breath out.
- Pull abdominal muscles up and inside towards the spine. This is Uddiyana Bandha.
- Retain the breath outside as long as one feels comfortable.
- Raise the head, inhale slowly and release the abdominal muscles.
- Return to the normal position.
Dos and Don’ts
- Pull the abdominal muscles after exhalation.
- Avoid holding the breath beyond limit.
- Avoid in case of heart diseases.
Benefits
- Uddiyana Bandha improves blood circulation and strengthens all the internal organs.
- All the abdominal organs get toned, massaged and strengthened.
- It helps in improving the digestion process.
- It enhances the lung capacity.
