Setu Bandha

The opposite of jalandhara bandha, setu bandha is a more esoteric bandha and less often used in Hatha Yoga practice due to the extreme curve in the cervical spine. The neck lock is used to restrain energy from rising above the region of the 5th chakra. Setu bandhasana, a pose found in the primary series of Astanga yoga, is a challenging asana which strengthens the neck and creates a deep backbend in the cervical spine.