Breathing in Yoga

Breath as a source of energy and life

When we lose energy and feel tired we are looking for a cure that will bring us back to peace and quiet. We discover pills against nervousness, we supplement vitamins and minerals, we drink coffee or we reach for an energy drink. We search in the surroundings, and it does not occur to us that the secret is hidden inside us. The word "BREATH" gives us the answer to how naturally we can restore the energy potential of our body.

Yoga takes deep sips of oxygen and prana throughout the body in order to save intake and create new energy. Pranayama is one of the basic rules of Patanjali's yoga system, which outlines working with energy (breath). Breathing techniques are a means of receiving cosmic energy (prana), without which there would be no life. Prana (cosmic, ubiquitous) energy and ayama (controlling) the flow of this energy. Individual breathing techniques direct energy and at the same time keep it in the body.

Ujjayi Breathing

During yoga lessons, we often encounter the instruction to breathe in Ujjaya. In order to be able to fully develop this type of breath, and thus feel its beneficial effects, it is necessary to learn this breathing technique correctly. At the same time, we need to increase our awareness of its positive effects in order to be able to recognize in which situations Ujjayi can be beneficial to us.

Ujjayi is one of the basic pranayama breathing techniques we use in yoga practice. Ujjayi has the advantage among breathing techniques that we can use it practically anytime, anywhere and in any position - we can stand, sit or lie down. Aji, along with full yoga breath, is also an important element in the practice of asanas.

Ujjayi Technique

Sit in a comfortable position. It can be, for example, a crossed seat - Sukhasana, a seat of the hero - Virasana, for the more advanced I recommend the lotus flower - Padmasana. Close your eyes. Completely relax the lower limbs. Engage the muscles in your abdomen and stretch from the waist up with a breath to the top of the head. Gently pull the shoulder blades to your spine and let your shoulders fall down from your ears. Try to straighten your back completely, almost smooth it out - you feel as if you are leaning against an imaginary wall behind you. Slightly push your chin toward the neck socket. Completely relax the muscles in the face, loosen the grip of the jaws and place the tip of the tongue on the inside of the lower teeth. Put the backs of your hands on your knees and join your fingers in the Jnana mudra. Free your mind from everyday worries and start focusing only on your breath. He gradually becomes calmer and more rhythmic. You can now move on to practicing Ujjayi.

Be aware of your throat and find your vocal cord - glottis - with your inner vision. Gently pull it down so that the air inlet ducts become narrower. This narrowing will cause your breath to become "loud". Sounds like you're pronouncing the syllable HA over your closed mouth. This sound also resembles the murmur of the sea.

As already mentioned, the Ujjayi technique uses full yoga breath. If you breathe properly, your abdominal muscles should contract spontaneously. Inhale and exhale is conscious, slow and deep.

For a start, try 10 breaths of Breath. Gradually go through 5 minutes to 10 minutes of practicing Ujjaji. When finished, go to Savasana for a few minutes. Ujjayi Effects - Ujjaji is known for its beneficial effects, both energizing and calming. Practicing Ujjayi relieves the nervous system and calms the mind. This breathing technique is effective for insomnia problems and relieves problems from people suffering from high blood pressure. Ujjayi helps to reach a state of meditation and awakens the pranic energy flowing in your body. They will also benefit your heart.

Contraindications - Swami Satyananda Saraswati in the Book of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha does not recommend Ujjayi breath to people with a tendency to significant introversion.