Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama

Published on June 11, 2011

The victory or ocean sounding breath is focusing, grounding, and aids in concentration.

Ujjayi Pranayama is called the ocean sounding breath because you make an ocean sound by gently contracting the glottis during the inhalation and exhalation. Ujjayi Pranayama is also known as the hissing breath or the victorious breath. The Sanskrit word “ujjayi” is translated as “to conquer” or “to be victorious.” This correlates with this breathing technique’s ability to increase heat, prana, vitality, focus, and concentration. Ancient yogic texts state that Ujjayi breathing allows a yogi to become victorious over death and disease.

How to practice Ujjayi breathing

This pranayama is done through the nose, but it is helpful to begin practicing breathing through the mouth.

  1. Begin in a comfortable seated position, such as Easy pose or Accomplished pose. Feel your spine long, and your chest open but have your body relaxed and your eyes soft or gently closed. Allow your jaw and your tongue to relax, and let your mouth drop open slightly.
  2. Inhale and exhale through your mouth, using deep diaphragmatic breathing. To make the ocean sound, whisper the syllable “h,” feeling the contraction in your throat. Keep this contraction engaged on the inhalation and exhalation. After a couple of breaths, try to close the mouth, breathing through the nose while still making the ocean sound in your throat.
  3. Work on creating a soothing and pleasing ocean sound and on increasing the length of your inhalation and exhalation. Do not strain or force the muscles in the neck. Gently and patiently explore and notice how to change the sound.

Ujjayi breath in yoga

Ujjayi breathing is one of the most common pranayamas used in hatha yoga classes. The ocean sound helps synchronize your movements with your breath and boosts your focus and contraction as you move through your flow. At first, it will be challenging to maintain a smooth and audible Ujjayi breath throughout your practice. If you begin to strain in your breath during challenging poses, back off on your effort. It is also okay to take a break from Ujjayi if it becomes difficult or distracting to maintain.

Ujjayi breathing

Ujjayi Breath Benefits

There are many powerful benefits for using Ujjayi breathing including the linking of breath to movement, increasing internal heat, boosting mental stillness, improving health, and deepening of meditation and mindfulness.

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2 responses to “Ujjayi Pranayama”

  1. Amy Anshul Avatar
    Amy Anshul

    This is one of the most important pranayamas which has helped me a lot in controlling my breath while doing other activities like running or working out. I have used it for over 2 years now and it works like magic in reducing stress levels and improving concentration.

  2. Ava Wilson Avatar
    Ava Wilson

    Ujjayi Pranayama is one of my favorite techniques. This article did an excellent job of breaking down the benefits of the practice, from its calming effects to its ability to deepen meditation.

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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