The Abdominal Lock
There are so many elements to yoga. It is truly an in-depth practice that is rich with history, philosophy, and many modes of practice. The intention is to bring full awareness to yourself, others, and all things. The starting point is the connection to Self. Yoga can be used to deepen your awareness of your whole body, mind, and spirit. There are many ways you can achieve this connection.
An element of yoga to consider when raising deeper consciousness and elevating your life force energy is practicing the bandhas. These are “locks” in the yoga practice that you practice physically. They also stimulate the energetic and spiritual parts of yourself. One particular lock is the abdominal lock, or Uddiyana Bandha. It is used in the style of yoga that I teach, Power Yoga. It can be engaged to provide strength and stability in your core system, but also raises the energy throughout your body.
I wrote a more comprehensive article about Uddiyana Bandha that you may like to read. It discusses the origins of it and how to practice it. Hope you enjoy the article.