04 Apr Ujjayi Breath Technique

Ujjayi (pronounced oo-jai) breathing technique is an ancient yogic breathing technique used for thousands of years to enhance Hatha yoga practice and is suitable for beginners although before practicing it’s important that you are able to connect your mind with the beautiful breath in your wondrous body, witnessing the breath moving the body.   

Ujjayi breath meaning the “victorious breath” is sometimes known as the “oceanic breath” as this is the sound we are aiming for, like the sound of the waves on the ocean or maybe the wind blowing through the trees or like a baby sleeping. 

Ujjayi breath helps us ease in and out of postures when we are practicing yoga dynamically repeating the movements helping us to synchronise the breath with the movements and also whilst statically in postures, holding the pose for a certain number of breath cycles helping us to focus on our breathing.  It helps us to lengthen and deepen the breath having a balancing effect on the cardiovascular system, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood therefore nourishing the body.  Ujjayi breath is also fantastic for calming both the mind and the body so it’s fantastic to use if you have an upcoming stressful event such as a job interview or a presentation to make, having an instant soothing effect on the body. It can also be used whilst exercising to improve respiratory efficiency reducing wear and tear on your body.    

Other benefits include:

• Releases feelings of irritation or frustration.
• Relieves tension
• Encourages free flow of prana (life force energy), helping to clear energy blockages and to heal the body
• Regulates blood pressure
• Builds internal body heat and energy in the body
• Detoxifies both the mind and the body
•  Helps us to be present and become self aware of our bodies