21 June
Yoga Day » Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama is a part of the Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga practices used by the ancient yogis of India. This pranayama derives its name from the Sanskrit word “Ujjayi,” which means to be victorious or to conquer. The pranayama is also sometimes referred to as ocean breath or hissing breath. This particular pranayama aims to keep the mind cool and the body warm. The practice of Ujjayi pranayama involves deep inhalation from both nostrils with a half closed glottis.

Benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama

  • Ujjayi pranayama helps the practitioner to practice superior level of concentration and focus in our daily life. It diminishes distraction and helps the practitioner to become more self-aware of his surroundings so that he does not commit any grave mistakes.
  • Practicing this pranayama on a daily basis helps to increase the blood circulation throughout the body and stimulates the overall body metabolism.
  • By practicing this pranayama regularly, you can bring about bring positive changes to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
  • Ujjayi Pranayama helps the body to get rid of toxins that have accumulated over a period of time.
  • Practicing Ujjayi Pranayama helps to release tension. Additionally it also helps to diminish headaches and provide relief from sinus

How to Perform Ujjayi Pranayama?

  • Be seated in a comfortable position. Relax and be comfortable.
  • Gently close your eyes and relax your mouth and jawline
  • Practice deep sessions on inhalations and exhalations. Feel the air passing through your wind pipe as you practise the process.
  • During exhalation dry to softly utter the sound “ahh” from your mouth.
  • Once you become comfortable with the exhalations, maintain a contraction at the back of your throat on inhalation
  • Once you get comfortable with this practice, use only the nose for breathing, keeping your mouth shut and maintaining a contract.
  • Concentrate on the sound of your breath, which should be audible by now. The inhalations should be able to fill your lungs to the fullest.
  • You can start this pranayama for 5 minutes in the beginning and increase the time period up to 15 minutes once you become familiar with the set up.
Precautions
  • If you are a patient of hypertension refrain from practicing this pranayama
  • If you feel a little warmth in the back of your throat, do not worry. It is normal.
  • If you feel dizzy, discontinue the process and start breathing normally.
  • Make sure under any circumstances the proportion of the breathing is not forced.
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