Ujjayi Pranayama Technique For Victory
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Ujjayi is a Sanskrit word, which means to be victorious or a conqueror. The process involves making certain sounds while breathing and hence it is also known as ocean breath or hissing breath. It has alternating deep and even inhalation and exhalation with the glottis half-closed. Ujjayi pranayama benefits by improving concentration and focus. You become calm and energized with this victorious breathing technique. You can check my compilation of some of the daily yoga for concentration and focus.
What your mind needs is some training that will allow it to take a step back and relax. Breathing practices are usually the easiest way to give yourself the break that you require.
Ujjayi Pranayama is a gentle way to restore the imbalances in your mind-body complex and bring about some sense of mental equilibrium. The body responds to this practice by detoxing, lowering raised blood pressure and soothing the nervous system.
The circuits in the brain which were previously devoted to frantic problem solving are now freed up for creative thinking. Though the process will not take effect immediately, regular practice will show results that are inspiring and lasting.
This particular pranayama produces heat in the body making the body warm and makes the mind calmer.
Ujjayi Pranayama Benefits
- This practice calms your mind, free of distractions.
- Tremendously improves concentration and focus.
- Regular practice improves blood circulation.
- It warms up the body and stimulates the overall body metabolism.
- Ujjayi pranayama fills positivity to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
- Detoxifies the whole body.
- Reduces stress and tensions.
Ujjayi Pranayama Steps:
Do this once in the morning and whenever you feel overwhelmed by racing thoughts.
- Sit with your spine and head comfortably straight, relax your shoulders and close your eyes.
- Keep your palms resting on your thighs.
- Take deep and even inhalations and exhalations through the nose. When you become comfortable to constrict the glottis. Feel the air through the windpipe.
- Exhale; softly make the sound ‘HHH’ from your mouth.
- Inhale; Keeping the constriction inhale through the nose experiencing an ocean sound.
- After you’ve become comfortable with constricting the glottis, you can close your mouth and start to inhale and exhale through the nose.
- Make sure the inhalations fill up the lungs fully and the exhalations empty the lungs completely. The breathing should not be forced, it should be at ease.
- The inhale and exhale with the glottis constricted is a cycle, you can do 25 cycles in the beginning and on practice, you can increase to 100 or more.
Precautions:
People suffering from hypertension should avoid the practice.
A little warmth in the back of your throat is OK. If you feel dizzy, stop the process.
Don’t forget to concentrate on the airflow in the windpipe and the sound you make when you inhale and exhale. With regular practice, you can gain great positivity and become victorious in life with the focus and concentration you attain.
How long should you do Ujjayi breath?
Let your inhalations fill your lungs to their fullest expansion. Completely release the air during your exhalations. Start by practicing Ujjayi for five minutes while you are seated. For deeper meditation, increase your time to 15 minutes.
How many times one should do Ujjayi Pranayama?
Do each for 5-10 cycles. When you feel you want to move on from here, relax your hand and begin Ujjayi Pranayama. You might time yourself with a stopwatch for 2 minutes or chose how many cycles of breath you want to aim for (feel free to use the metronome here).
Can we do ujjayi pranayama in periods?
If a woman is having very extreme menstruation then even the thought of practicing will cause negative emotions. The best practice at this time is then yoga nidra and some gentle pranayama such as Bhramari (humming bee breath), Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breath), ujjayi (victorious breath), and deep breathing.
Why is ujjayi called ocean breath?
Its name comes from the Sanskrit word “ujjayi,” which means “to conquer” or “to be victorious.” Therefore, it is also often referred to as “Victorious Breath.” Because of the sound, it makes when performed correctly, this breath is also sometimes called “Ocean Breath” or “Hissing Breath.” But, many yoga teachers simply.
Does ujjayi breath stimulate the vagus nerve?
Ujjayi breathing stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the heart of the parasympathetic nervous system. It’s the 10th cranial nerve. It controls the organs of maintenance – the heart, digestion, breathing, and glands.
