Foundation Friday || Ujjayi Breath
Our Foundation Friday series delves into the basics of yoga—looking at its postures (asana), breath (pranayama), philosophy, and all the other essentials—giving you the foundations upon which to build a solid practice.
Find the balance of fierce grace with this essential yogic breath.
Foundation Friday || Ujjayi Breath
Ujjayi Breath Pranayama
"Ud" = moving upward, "Jaya" = conquest, victory fire breath, victorious breath, ocean breath
“Remember the connection between breath and movement: every movement comes out of breath. Rather than moving with and following the breath, the breath should initiate the movement. Practicing this way, we will be moved by the breath like the autumn wind picking up leaves.”
- Gregor Maehle
Ujjayi breath is a pranayama technique that allows you to focus and calm the mind. Often coupled with asana, this breath will guide you deeper into poses, steady your intention and allow you to experience your yoga more fully. In your practice, breath is regarded as the teacher; how you move and where you go is paralleled with the rhythm of your breath. Ujjayi breath is strong, fierce, warming - your pranayamic partner to bring you out of fear, anxiety, or judgement. Just as the intensity of your practice fluctuates, so does your breath. You may choose to use this fiery breath throughout your practice, or switch it up with a more gentle nostril breath like sama vritti to adjust the tone of the moment.
* note that Ujjayi pranayama involves breath retention and Ujjayi breath is the steady rhythm, sans retention
Benefits of Ujjayi Breath
- increases focus
- calms the mind
- builds concentration
- creates internal heat
- increases oxygenation
- tones the lungs
- facilitates the flow of prana
- builds energy throughout practice
- clears toxins
- creates awareness, especially within transitions of asanas
Categories
- Wellness 241
- Zen Habits & Inspiration 100
- Injury Prevention & Health 30
- Classes 1
- Yogalife Classes 7
- Prop Specific 1
- Studio Information 17
- Foundation Friday 25
- Physical Health 3
- Yoga Specific 54
- Curated Playlists 2
- Karma Program 5
- Staff Adventures & Journeys 10
- Anatomy & Information 30
- Community Event 15
- YEG Highlight 8
- Instructor Stories 22
- Yogi of the Month 13
- What's Going On 35
- Yogalife Workshops, Retreats & Trainings 37
- Recipe 10
- Relaxation 1
- Mental Health 2
- Workshops 34
- Registered Classes 4
- Pregnancy & Family 1
- Member Stories 5