
Teacher Andrew Sealy in the 2019 10-Day Wellest Challenge.
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As T.K.V Desikachar states, "The quality of our breath is extremely important because it expresses our inner feelings." If you've ever been to a yoga class, you've probably heard something along the lines of, "take deep Ujjayi breaths" or "let your breath sound like an ocean wave." Ujjayi Pranayama is a type of breath work that is commonly used in various styles of yoga but is rarely explained thoroughly enough for practitioners to truly understand. It is an ancient yogic breathing technique that is used as a powerful tool to advance your yoga practice. When done correctly, it calms the mind and inspires deep inward exploration. Like all elements of yoga, it requires practice, patience, and an open mind and heart.
As T.K.V Desikachar states, "The quality of our breath is extremely important because it expresses our inner feelings." If you've ever been to a yoga class, you've probably heard something along the lines of, "take deep Ujjayi breaths" or "let your breath sound like an ocean wave." Ujjayi Pranayama is a type of breath work that is commonly used in various styles of yoga but is rarely explained thoroughly enough for practitioners to truly understand. It is an ancient yogic breathing technique that is used as a powerful tool to advance your yoga practice. When done correctly, it calms the mind and inspires deep inward exploration. Like all elements of yoga, it requires practice, patience, and an open mind and heart.
Ujjayi Pranayama, The Victorious Breath
Pronounced: ooh-JAH-yee prah-nah-YAH-mah Ujjayi: Sanskrit prefix "ud" and the root "ji", combined together as, "ujji", which means "one who is victorious." Ujjayi breath is translated as the "victorious breath." Pranayama: Sanskrit "prana" meaning "life force" or "vital energy" and "ayama" which is to "control" or "extend." Therefore, pranayama is to "control the breath." Type of Yoga Practiced In: Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Power Yoga Benefits: Ujjayi Pranayama is both energizing and relaxing as it sends fresh oxygen throughout the body. When practiced correctly it will create internal heat and give you an uplifting boost of energy. It's also used to increase the flow of prana (life force energy) in the physical body. This form of pranayama (breathwork) creates friction in the throat which causes the breath to sound like ocean waves crashing on the beach. Why is the breath being audible so important? It serves as a focal point during your practice, settling the fluctuations of the mind and bringing more awareness to the internal body, mind, and spirit. Thus, Ujjayi increases concentration while reminding one to surrender and find ease throughout the practice. Ujjayi breath can be practiced both on and off the mat. Next time you're feeling stressed or uneasy, practice your Ujjayi breath for a few minutes to calm both the physical and emotional bodies. Get Started:- Sit in a comfortable seat and close the eyes for a few slow deep breaths. Take a few moments to deepen the breath and find an even length inhalation and exhalation.
- Bring your awareness to where the breath goes as it enters the body. Ujjayi breath is a diaphragmatic breath, filling the belly and then lungs on the inhale. Practice filling the belly, then lungs, taking a brief pause at the top of the inhale, and emptying the lungs and then slightly contracting the belly to release air from the belly. Notice the slight pause again at the bottom of the exhale.
- Maintaining this diaphragmatic breathing, begin deep breaths in through the nose and exhale out the mouth, as you imagine you were fogging up a mirror with your breath. Your exhale should make the sound "haaaaah." Practice this a few times.
- Continue this breath, but this time, seal the lips and create the same "haaaaah" sound with the mouth closed. You should notice the slight constriction in the back of the throat, which narrows the passage of air for longer and slower breath cycles.
- Keep the mouth sealed as you breathe in and out cultivating an oceanic sounding breath, in and out through the nose. This is Ujjayi Pranayama!