The Great Lock

Maha Bandha

the full seal

Breath·Energetic Body + Physical Body

Written by Desmond Olubunmi · Founder of Sunya

Essence

The most powerful of the sealing practices: pressurising the central channel to drive the life force upward.

Mechanism

Engaging the three locks of the body — base, belly, and throat — together while the breath is held out creates a strong vacuum and pressure through the torso, driving the gathered life force up the central channel toward the higher centres. It is the most potent of the locks, and the most demanding.

Protocol

  1. 01

    Take a full, deep inhale; then exhale completely, emptying the lungs.

  2. 02

    Base lock: contract and draw up the muscles of the pelvic floor (the root lock from Lever 0).

  3. 03

    Belly lock: pull the belly in and up, under the ribs, creating a hollow.

  4. 04

    Throat lock: tuck the chin gently down toward the chest.

  5. 05

    Hold all three together, breath held out, for as long as is comfortable — without strain.

  6. 06

    Release in reverse order — chin up, belly soft, base released — then inhale smoothly.

Related practices

One practice at a time

Occasional writing on the levers, the practices, and how to actually work with them.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Not sure this is the right practice for you? Sunya AI will identify where your system is contracted and which practice matters most right now.

Or work with Desmond directly, one-to-one →