Feeling Anxious? This Simple Breathing Technique Can Help You Calm Down.

"Ujjayi has powerful effects, says Sundar Balasubramanian, PhD, yoga therapist, associate professor at MUSC, and founder of Pranascience Institute. Those benefits-ranging from relaxation to connecting with the deepest parts of yourself-make Ujjayi a technique that can enhance not only your yoga practice but your life."

"Ujjayi makes it easy to do that by making your breath audible. You can hear the soft, rushing sound of your inhalations and exhalations and notice if your breath is becoming interrupted in any way. It's a DIY version of biofeedback, giving you real-time data about how much effort you're putting into your poses."

"Some types of breathwork require breath counting or mudras (sacred hand positions). But Ujjayi keeps it simple. This makes it possible to practice it while you're moving through poses. Granted, it does require some level of concentration to create its unique sound, but not so much you feel like you're going to fall out of Tree Pose."

Ujjayi breath, known as victorious breath, is a foundational pranayama practice often introduced to yoga students but frequently misunderstood due to insufficient instruction. Teachers may assume students already know the technique or struggle to demonstrate its subtle sound effectively. However, Ujjayi offers significant benefits beyond its beginner status. The practice requires moderate concentration without being overwhelming, allowing practitioners to maintain focus during movement. It produces an audible sound that enables real-time biofeedback about breathing patterns and physical effort levels. The technique creates a relaxing effect and facilitates connection with deeper aspects of self. These combined benefits make Ujjayi valuable for enhancing both yoga practice and overall life quality.

Read at Yoga Journal