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Happy February 15, 2022 – Pranayama (Breathing): Ujjayi Pranayama (Ocean Breath)
Good morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Pranayama week! Today we will be revisiting Ujjayi (oo-JAW-yee) Pranayama. This is literally translated from Sanskrit as Victorious Breath, but is commonly referred to as Ocean Breath due to the sound of this technique. This is another great cooling and calming breathing technique, and is ideal during Asana practice. You may have learned this in Yoga class before, especially if you have attended a Hot Yoga class.
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is trying Ujjayi Pranayama or Ocean Breathing.
Ujjayi Pranayama – Ocean Breath
Start with Diaphragmatic Breathing for 3 full inhales and exhales.
Open your mouth and inhale and exhale through your mouth. Contract your throat to slightly say “HA” on the exhales. Keep this light contraction in your throat so you slightly say “SA” on the inhales. You will start noticing the ocean sound from which this technique gets its name.
Now, close your mouth. Inhale and exhale through your nose, while keeping this contraction in your throat to keep the ocean sound continuing on both inhales and exhales. As you become comfortable with this breathing technique, try your Asana practice with this Ujjayi Pranayama.
Want more on Pranayama? Check out our Pranayama Guide!
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Please comment and let me know what you thought of this Ujjayi Pranayama exercise! Have you ever tried this technique as a standalone or during your Asana practice? Always remember, be kind!
More Positive Practices
Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!
‘Pranayama’ in Sanskrit is a yoga breathing exercise essential to develop a deep and thorough yoga practice. Amongst the wide varieties of Pranayama that are popular throughout India, the ‘Ujjayi Pranayama’ is a prominent one. Pranayama is one of the classical Eight Limbs of Yoga, according to the ‘Yoga Sutras’, the ancient yoga text compiled by the sage Patanjali. There are about 70 types of Pranayama mentioned in the traditional texts. These breathing techniques in addition to deepening the yoga practice, calm and invigorate the body and the spirit, benefiting life of the mat. The Ujjayi Pranayama is one such exercise that calms the mind and warms the body. The technique involves breathing deeply through the nose, slightly contracting the throat and filling the lungs completely.
https://www.indianetzone.com/1/ujjayi_pranayama.htm
Thank you for sharing these notes.