A Beginners Guide To Ujjayi Breathing

Begin in a comfortable position. This could be leaning against the wall, sitting on a meditation cushion or sitting cross-legged in sukhasana on your yoga mat. Just make sure to keep your spine straight and your heart open.
Bring awareness to your natural breath: pay attention to how your lungs fill with air as you inhale and deflate like a balloon when you exhale. How your chest rises with each inhalation and belly rises with each exhalation.
Next, begin to slowly deepen and lengthen your breath while you inhale through your nose in an unforced manner. Picture yourself inhaling through a straw or pipe to allow a slow, steady flow of breath.
Exhale by relaxing your jaw and opening your throat to make an “ahh” sound. Try to gently constrict your throat so that your exhalation is restricted, creating a smooth and slow sound, just like the ocean waves.
Repeat several rounds of this breathing pattern while maintaining a steady pace for each inhalation and exhalation using your diaphragm.
Place your palm in front of your mouth and imagine your exhalation is fogging up a bathroom mirror. This will also help you feel the warmth of the breath and its prana (life force/energy) on your palm.
As you get more comfortable with this breathing exercise you can also practice Ujjayi breath-work where you exhale with sealed lips making a hissing sound.
Last but not least, ensure you are comfortable, don’t force anything. It is common to feel overwhelmed, especially while doing these breath-work exercises for the first time. If you feel uncomfortable, take a break. Remember to go at your own pace

The Ujjayi Pranayama helps you bring your focus inward and experience relaxation through breath control. It leaves you more aware of your surroundings and less distracted by the millions of thoughts that muddle our minds.

Aug 30th 2021

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