One of the essential elements of the yoga practice is known as breathwork or pranayama. Breathwork allows the body to release toxins and rejuvenate the spirit, mind and body. In fact, breathwork is so effective that many people choose to just engage in the breathwork portion of yoga and not the exercise part.

There are many different types of breathwork techniques that are used in yoga. One of breathwork techniques is known as the chin lock breathwork or the Jalahandhara Bandha. The chin lock is a moderately difficult breathwork practice that cleanses of toxins and reenergizes the body.

Here is a look at how the chin lock breathwork is performed.

Step 1. Sit down comfortable either on the floor in a cross-legged position or on a chair. Choose whichever one is most comfortable for you.

Step 2. Take a couple of cleansing breaths. Cleansing breaths will allow you to approach your breathwork with an open mind. Make sure that you are breathing in and out through the nose and not the mouth.

Step 3. After the cleansing breaths place your hands on the top of your thighs and begin the chin lock breathwork. To begin take a deep breath in and lower your chin to your neck. As you breathe in bend at the hips and try to hunch your shoulders.

Step 4. Hold the position of your body for around ten seconds. After ten seconds, start to raise your head and let your breath out very slowly through the nose. As you move your head upwards move your spine so that you are back in a sitting position.

Step 5. Once back into a sitting position take two or three cleansing breaths and repeat steps three and four. Try to engage in this practice about five to eights times every two or three days. As you advance and become more comfortable with the breathwork exercise you can increase the repetitions of the breathwork exercise.