‘Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice’ by the University Press of America,
a transcript of recordings of a one month Yoga Programme in Colgate University in 1976, published in 1980.
Unlike the later redacted edition, re-published in 1995 as the ‘Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice’, it captures the evolution of the retreat with the days lectures and Q & A dialogues as they alternated between ‘lectures on the principles and purposes of Yoga and discussions related to the practice of Yoga with special reference to the postures and the breathing techniques’.
TKV Desikachar, in his forward to the original version wrote:
“These lectures and discussions, printed words put before persons I might never meet,
are but reflections of that deeper result that grew out of a living face-to-face encounter.
Coming to learn of Yoga only through reading leaves much to be desired.
Yet, something worthwhile about Yoga might be shared through the medium of the printed word.”
A chapter by chapter Study guide is offered below with added verse and word cross-references where possible to support a a deeper linking with the teachings within these lectures and Q & A sessions.
Chapter Fourteen Practice: The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha
– Pages 195-205
1. Definition of Bandha P195
2. Definition and location of each Bandha P195-197
- Bandha means “to bind or to lock”
- We will consider just three Bandha
- Site of Jālandhara Bandha
- Site of Uḍḍīyāna Bandha
- Site of Mūla Bandha
- Jālandhara Bandha defined
- Uḍḍīyana Bandha defined
- Mūla Bandha defined
- Jālandhara Bandha maintained thru four parts of breath
- Uḍḍīyāna Bandha maintained only thru Bāhya Kumbhaka
- Mūla Bandha maintained thru four parts of breath
3. Question on Role of Mūla Bandha P197
4. Who is ready to do Bandha? P197
5. Introducing Bandha in Āsana P197
- Taḍāka Mudrā
- Adho Mukha Śvan Āsana
- Mahāmudrā,
- Śīrṣāsana
- Use in Āsana prerequisite to use in Prāṇāyāma
6. Teaching and technique of each P197-199
- Jālandhara Bandha prerequisite for others
- Uḍḍīyāna Bandha follows and is applied very slowly
- Mūla Bandha applied after Uḍḍīyāna Bandha established
7. Application within Prāṇāyāma P199
8. Vinyāsa Krama with Bandha P199
- Example of Prāṇāyāma ratio for Bandha
- Progression of Bandha within Prāṇāyāma ratio
- Application of Bandha needs to taper off
9. Application of Bandha within Śīrṣāsana P200
10. Question on using long Bahya Kumbhaka in Śīrṣāsana P200
- Not natural so we must build up to it
11. Question on Mūla Bandha in inverted postures P200
- Difference between gravity and conscious effort
12. Some Āsana in which Bandha not possible P200
13. Anticipate a great reduction in breath with Bandha P200
- A ratio of 10.10.20.10 becomes 6.6.12.6
14. The best Āsana for Bandha P200
- Inverted, lying flat, sitting with back straight
15. Some Āsana in which Bandha not possible P200
- Backbending and twisting Āsana
16. Some Prāṇāyāma in which all Bandha not possible P202
- Examples such as Kapālabhāti and Śītalī
17. Question on Jālandhara Bandha in Kapālabhāti P202
- Jālandhara Bandha only possible in Kapālabhāti and Bhastrikā
18. Question on Bandha as part of daily life P202-203
- Practice them in one Āsana or one Prāṇāyāma
- Don’t do in all Āsana or all Prāṇāyāma
- Example of doing in one Āsana
- Several positions for using Bandha in Prāṇāyāma
19. Question on Agnisāra and risks P203-204
- Agni Sāra not a Bandha but a Kriyā
- Other example of Kriyā
- Prāṇāyāma uses air and fire to clean the body
- Any exercise with proper breathing cleanses
- Those who don’t breathe well in Āsana use other means
- Caution around use of Bandha on Bāhya Kumbhaka
- Caution around overuse of Nauli
20. Question on back being straight for Bandha P204
- Back never completely straight
21. Is it good to change position for Prāṇāyāma P204-205
Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of the Chapter Fourteen Study Guide
