Chin Lock, or Jalandhara Bandha, is one of the four locks
used in Yoga. A Bandha, or lock, in yoga is a neuromuscular lock in which there
is contraction of certain muscles and nerves. ‘Jala’ means network of nerves
and ‘dhara’ means upward pull. The nerves passing through the neck are used in Jalandhara
Bandha.
Jalandhara Bandha is performed during retention of breath.
The retention of breath is known as kumbhaka.
In this yogic practice, the chin is firmly pressed into the
sternum or the jugular notch after inhalation or exhalation while holding the
breath. The lock is maintained for as long as the practitioner is comfortable.
Breath cannot escape when the chin lock is performed. As a result,
the neck muscles are stretched and the spine is pulled upward. A contraction of
cervical muscles and vocal chords takes place. The nerves and the muscles in
the neck are compressed. The thyroid gland is especially stimulated and its
hormones are secreted into the bloodstream.
It is performed for curing diseases of throat.
A yogic practice that is performed along with chin lock is
the jihva bandha, in this practice the tongue is pressed against the palate or the
roof of the mouth.