Ujjayi Pranayama

This month's theme at the studio is Pranayama which simply means breath work in Sanskrit. Ujjayi or Victorious Breath is probably the most common and widely used breathing technique practiced in yoga. It is also my favorite. I use ujjayi on a daily basis whether I'm stepping on my mat for my asana practice or sitting in my car in traffic. Ujjayi pranayama not only slows and smooths the flow of the breath but it quiets the mind as well. 

• Exhale with an open mouth as if you are going to fog up a mirror in front of you. 
• Next, use that same technique with your lips closed. You should hear a soft hissing sound similar to the ocean or Darth Vader. 
• Once your comfortable with this begin to incorporate the same hissing sound into your inhales. With the inhale it should feel as is if you are sipping your breath through a straw. 
• Now begin to lengthen and slow down your breathing by counting to three or four on both the inhales and exhales. The loudness of the hissing sound will vary with how forceful your inhales and exhales are.
• Find a comfortable seat with your eyes closed and your attention turned inward and do approximately 10 full rounds (inhale and exhale) of ujjayi pranayama taking in slow and even breaths.
• When you have finished sit in silence and reflect on your experience. What is the state of your being? Is your mind quieter? Is your breath calmer? 

During this holiday season if you find yourself feeling anxious, stressed, tired, or disconnected I invite you to practice this breathing technique. You might discover just how powerful the breath really is.

Namaste~
Chica