Ujjayi Breath

The Ujjayi breath also referred to as the victorious or ocean breath is a pranayama.

Ujjayi Breath is use during the whole practice of Ashtanga Yoga. It creates heat. This heat is said to burn out all the toxins from the body and mind. It allows you to have more resistant during the practice, and certainly you will need it.

It basically consists in inhaling and exhaling through the nose, and while exhaling making noise with the back of the throat, like Darth Vader.

Pranayama is any technique one uses to breathe consciously. The Ujjayi breath consists of three parts. As one inhales, the air will first fill the stomach, then the rib cage, and finally the upper portion of the chest. The Ujjayi breath is taken in through the nose and released the same way. Although the nose does the breathing, the Ujjayi breath is often called the ocean breath because, as the air is inhaled, it passes through the throat. At this time the muscles of the throat are drawn together so they constrict. The breath should feel as though it is slowly traveling down into the lungs, pushed by the muscles every step of the way. The Ujjayi breath is exhaled the same way. Although it may sound like wheezing, this breath helps to create a steady rhythm.  

Ujjayi breathing may be used at any time or during entire yoga practices as in the case of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and Power Yoga. Breathing this way ensures that a person takes in enough oxygen and creates energy to continue their workout. This breath also cleanses the system of all contaminates. The Ujjayi breath allows a yoga practitioner to change from one asana to the next with ease and grace, and keeps the mind aware of the present moment.