“Just as Mūla Bandha, Uḍḍīyana Bandha,
Jālandhara Bandha and Jivha Bandha
are very important for Prāṇāyāma,
Mano Bandha is very important for Dhyānam.
Mano Bandha is Dhāraṇā.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 1

“Uḍḍīyana Bandha is a pre-requisite for
the other two Bandha, Jālandhara and Mūla.
From the practice of Uḍḍīyana Bandha
the Nāḍī and Cakra become purified and strengthened.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
the Yoga Rahasya Chapter One verse 67

“As Uḍḍīyana Bandha is done on holding the breath after exhalation,
one of the most important requirements
is that we are able to do a long holding of the breath
without sacrificing the quality of the inhalation and exhalation.
If this is not possible we should forget about Bandha for the time being.”
– TKV Desikachar ‘The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha’
Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Fourteen Page 197

“We must begin to do these Bandha in some
simple postures so our bodies can get used to them.
The easiest posture is to lie flat on the back.
We call this Taḍāka Mudrā when we
do Uḍḍīyana Bandha in this position,”
– TKV Desikachar ‘The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha’
Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Fourteen Page 197

“Another simple posture is Adho Mukha Śvan Āsana.
the next step is to try them in some sitting postures such as Mahā Mudrā.
These Bandha can also be done in the headstand.
It is easy to do Bandha in this position because the lifting,
Uḍḍīyana Bandha, and holding up, Mūla Bandha,
of Apāna to the flame is almost automatic
because now the Apāna is above the flame.
If we can do the three Bandha in these postures,
we are ready to introduce them in our Prāṇāyāma.”
– TKV Desikachar ‘The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha’
Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Fourteen Page 197

“Through Yoga reverse Tamas – Śīrṣāsana, Uḍḍīyāna Bandha.
Both practices carry risks.
Breathing can be chosen for the less adept.”
– TKV Desikachar 1980

“Whatever the effect Bāhya Kumbhaka has, it is
extended by the use of Uḍḍīyāna and Mūla Bandha.
However the total length of the breath is reduced.
Bandha substantially reduces the lengths
of the Pūraka, the Recaka and the Kumbhaka.
Which and by how much depends on the individual.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“Mūla Bandha is that part of Uḍḍīyana Bandha that you do not release.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“Tri Bandha Sādhana – Jālandhara, Uḍḍīyana and Mūla,
starts from the top down rather than the bottom up,
in both senses.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“The journey towards Uḍḍīyana Bandha
begins with the learning of the
process of active exhalation.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“Allow time for the Uḍḍīyana Bandha.
Don’t hurry the act of lifting otherwise
the quality of the Uḍḍīyana will suffer.
Keep the shoulders down and relaxed.
Keep the arms straight with active hands.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“When intending to use  Uḍḍīyana Bandha don’t
hold the stomach area tensely just after inhaling,
or if using Antar Kumbhaka, just before exhaling.
In choosing working ratios concentrate on those
emphasising the exhale and the Bāhya Kumbhaka.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“Hands shouldn’t be used in Uḍḍīyana Bandha,
the effect should come from the exhale which
starts in the navel, as if pulling up a piece of string.
It must be pulled up and brought closer to the Maṇipūra.
If this is done properly, then very little to be done afterwards.
Exhale is followed by a small jerk as Uḍḍīyāna pulls the Mūla up.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“So Uḍḍīyana Bandha is the technique
for introducing Mūla Bandha.
Uḍḍīyana Bandha elevates Mūla Cakra,
having elevated it, you tie it
and each time it wants to slide
back down, you bring it back up.
Therefore opposite to techniques such as
Bhujaṅgāsana, which is counter to the principle
of Uḍḍīyāna and pushes the Mūla Cakra down.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

Links to Related Posts:

• Āsana & Mudrā Practice Techniques Glossary – Grouped into Standing, Kneeling, Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting
• Prāṇāyāma & Bandha Practice Techniques Glossary – Grouped into Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Techniques
• Plan a practice to stay in Mahā Mudrā with Uḍḍīyāna Bandha.
• Religiousness in Yoga Study Guide: The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha
• Studying, Practicing and Learning the Tri Bandha involves Theory, Techniques and Cautions…
• The Viniyoga of Inversion as an Āsana or as a Mudrā……
• Vinyāsa Krama for the Catur Bandha in Mahā Mudrā for an advanced Āsana student……
• Viniyoga Vignette 5 – Introducing Uḍḍīyana Bandha within an Āsana practice