Ujjayi breath, often referred to as “ocean breath” or “victorious breath,” or “resistance breathing” is a breath-work technique commonly used in yoga and meditation practices.
You begin by taking a slow, deep breath in through your nose. Then, as you inhale, you constrict the back of your throat slightly, as if you were fogging up a mirror with your breath, or whispering softly. This constriction creates a soft hissing or whispering sound in the back of your throat.
Then, you slowly exhale through your nose, maintaining the same slight constriction in the throat. Again, you’ll hear the soft sound of your breath as it passes through the narrowed airway.
When practicing Ujjayi breath, aim to make your inhalations and exhalations equal in length, and try to maintain a smooth, steady rhythm throughout your practice.
In this guided breathwork, we practice a combination of Ujjayi breathing, internal retention, and equal breath counts.
More specifically, you’ll be guided through a 1:1:1 ratio, meaning you breathe in for 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds, and exhale for 5 seconds.
If that seems too deep for you, back off a bit and do 4 or less counts. If it’s too easy for you, then you can go a little higher.
As you practice Ujjayi breath, focus your attention on the sound and sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. Allow this steady rhythm to help anchor your mind in the present moment, cultivating a sense of calm and concentration.
