Ujjayi Breathing

The importance of the breath

Ujjayi breathing

A closer look at Ujjayi breathing, taken from Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. ' Sitting in a comfortable position, take the awareness to the breath in the nostrils and allow the breathing to become calm and rhythmic. After some time, transfer the awareness to the throat. Try to feel or to imagine that the breath is being drawn in and out through the throat and not through the nostrils, as if the inhale and exhale are taking place through a small hole in the throat.

As the breathing becomes slower and deeper a soft snoring sound like the breathing of a sleeping baby is produced in the throat. There may also be a simultaneous contraction of the abdomen, this happens by itself. The sound should be audible to the practitioner only.

Do not contract the throat too strongly, try to relax the face as much as possible. Ujjayi is classified as a tranquillising pranayama and also has a heating effect on the body.

The Sanskrit word ujjayi means victorious.'

Ujjayi can be practised sitting, lying down or even standing.

If the throat is sore lengthen the breath without the sound from the throat. If the mood is low, lengthen the inhalation to create more energy.