Ujjayi Breathing

The practice of pranayama helps reduce waste matter in the body by directing the agni, the fire of life.  Pranayama consists of two parts: prana and ayama. Ayama means stretch or extend and prana is “that which is indefinitely everywhere” or energy and is something the flows continuously inside of us—vitality. If there is every a time where there isn’t enough room for prana it means it’s being forced out by the rubbish, so pranayama removes that junk to create space for prana to flow. 

Bandha means to bind, tie together or lock. Bandhas direct prana in a particular direction and create a support from the inside out so you have more steadiness. Jalandhara Bandha helps introduce you to the sound of your breath. Uddiyana Bandha is the flying up lock and helps with abdominal and stomach ailments. It also balances the adrenal system, relieving stress. The Bandhas help cleanse and are the means by which pranayama can be intensified. By creating a lock you can direct the agni to where the junk has settled and help move the junk out and cleanse your body and mind!  

It’s important to keep the mind alert during the practice of pranayama because the process being observed is so subtle. With the asana practice you have the body movement to focus on. With pranayama we can focus on where the breath is happening and also the sound it makes. 

Ujjayi is also known as throat breathing. We hear it often called ocean sounding breath in class. Also called victorious breath. We gently contract the vocal chords. Kind of like aperture on a camera you create a smaller hole then there is more sound. Having this sound to focus on helps clear the mind and brings you back to the present moment. You practice ujjayi throughout your asana practice. Calms the mind and builds heat within. You can use ujjayi breathing as an internal drishti!