The Ujjayi breath is also known as the victorious breath or the oceanic breath as it's said to sound like waves rolling up against the ocean shore.
When we practice the Ujjayi breath it strengthens our respiratory system so our lungs and diaphragm are strengthened.
The long slow breaths also activate our parasympathetic nervous system which triggers our body into rest,
Digest,
Heal and grow mode.
Our relaxation response is activated.
The mind calms down and this helps to quieten our unconscious striving or any over-aggression.
It can even help quieten down any anxiety.
It's helpful to use the Ujjayi breath throughout your asana practice so your yoga poses as it helps to quieten this unconscious striving.
This in turn helps to prevent injuries or you might like to use the Ujjayi breath in preparation for your meditation practice as it helps to calm the mind and it helps to ground you into your body.
So let's practice the Ujjayi breath together and when you're first learning Ujjayi breath please start in a seated position with your spine long and your hands resting over your lower belly.
First we're going to inhale through our nose with our mouth closed and then as we exhale we're going to activate our Mula Bandha.
So we will be consciously drawing our belly back towards our spine,
Our lower belly and lifting through the pelvic floor.
So let's try that together.
Breathing in mouth closed,
Breathing out second we're going to inhale through our nose again and then when we exhale we'll exhale with an open mouth and whisper the word whisper extending the R sound.
So let's try that.
Breathing in mouth closed,
Breathing out whisper.
Can you notice the slight constriction at the back of the throat?
This helps to slow and lengthen your breath.
So third again inhale with your mouth closed and this time as we exhale just exhale the R sound whispered.
Starting with mouth open and then halfway through closing the mouth.
Trying this together breathing in and out and forth.
We're going to try and hold that slight throat constriction during both our inhalation and our exhalation.
Our mouth will be closed and we're going to count to six during inhalation and then counting to six silently during exhalation.
Let's try that together.
And note that it's easiest for most people when they're first starting to constrict the back of the throat on exhalation.
Keeping it constricted during your inhalation can take a little more practice.
But before you know it,
You'll be making sounds like waves rolling up against the shore.
I wish you all the best with your practice.
Namaste.
