Chapter 3, Mudra and Bandha

Mudra

is translated as attitude or gesture. They can be described as emotional, psychic, devotional, or aesthetic and are a combination of subtle physical movements geared to alter perception and enhance awareness.

Mudras that annihilate death and old age: Maha Mudra, Maha Bandha, Maha Vedha, Khechari, Uddiyana Bandha, Mula Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha, Viparita Karani, Vijroli, and Sakti Chalana specific benefits: maha mudra for example provides the body with relief from colic and indigestion, and is said to bring great success to the practitioner in general

Viparita Karani: legs up the wall brings relaxation to the nervous system, and greatly aids the circulatory system by bringing the stagnant blood residing in the feet and legs back to the upper body (alleviating causes for problems like varicose veins)

Bandhas

meaning bond or body lock

Mula bandha: contraction of the perineum

Uddiyana bandha: contraction of the abdomen by way of sucking it into the rib cage

Jalandhara bandha: tucking the chin into the chest

Maha bandha: combining the above three into a super bandha

 Chapter 4, Samadhi:

“A Hatha Yogi draws all his Prana from the different parts of his body and takes it to the Sahasrara Chakra (thousand-petalled lotus) at the top of the head, where he then moves into the superconscious state.” (3).

qualities of samadhi: equality of the self with consciousness, indifference to worldly enjoyments, stilling of the citta vrittis

The union of the previous chapters and their regular practice and mastery leads the yogi to the state of samadhi.

Compared to the idea of one active wave settling down and into the unbounded oneness of the ocean (4).