Ujjayi Pranayama is one of the best Pranayamas to warm up the body and cool the mind
In this highly demanding world, people often get involved in the excessive activity. Whether it is physical, mental or social, the end result of it is to get tired and exhausted. After a certain point in time, some people also become unhappy, sad, depressed and even unmotivated.
Pranayamas have the ability to manipulate the flow of air or the prana (life force) in the respiratory system, according to the yogic convention. They are capable of making a person confident, happy, light, stable, healthy and joyful. There are different types of Pranayamas that can calm the mind and the nervous system while warming up the body. Ujjayi Pranayama is an example of such breathing exercises.
What is Ujjayi Pranayama?
Ujjayi Pranayama or Ujjayi breath is also known as the victorious breath. It is a very common type of pranayamas practiced in yoga. The name of this breathing exercise is derived from three Sanskrit words: Ujjayi, Prana, and Ayama. Ujjayi means to be victorious or conquer, prana means life force and Ayama means to control or modulate.
Ujjayi Pranayama is known for its efficiency in emerging victorious over stress, fatigue, ego, and much other negativity. This breathing exercise also helps in detoxifying the body while calming the nervous system and the mind.
What are the health benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama
Practicing Ujjayi Pranayama regularly can bring out some positive changes to the practitioner’s mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Below are some of the notable health benefits of this breathing exercise.
- Improves concentration Level – This breathing exercise helps the practitioner to focus on his own daily life and practice a superior level of concentration. It also prevents the practitioner from committing any grave mistakes by making him self-aware of his surroundings. This Pranayama even plays a vital role in diminishing the distraction levels of the practitioner.
- Increases blood circulation and stimulates body metabolism – The breathing exercise stimulates the overall body metabolism. It also helps in increasing blood circulation throughout the body. It makes the practitioner feel relaxed by resolving all the mental and physical issues of the person.
- Relief from Sinus, headaches, and tension – The pranayama is known for clearing the throat by removing phlegm and providing relief from any kind of respiratory problems. In this way, a person gets relief from sinus, headache, and tension by regularly practicing this breathing exercise.
- Cleanses the body – This breathing exercise helps the body in getting rid of all harmful toxins that have been accumulated over a period of time. It is being done by purifying the nadis or energy channels in the practitioner’s body. Once the nadis are purified, this detoxification will be evident in the physical body as improved complexion and increased energy.
How to practice Ujjayi Pranayama?
The practice of Ujjayi Pranayama involves deep inhalation from the nostrils while keeping the glottis half closed.
- To practice this breathing exercise, one has to sit on the ground by keeping the spine completely straight. Slowly close the eyes and relax the mouth and the jawline.
- Then inhale and exhale through the nose. While practicing inhalation, try to maintain a contraction at the muscles in the back of the throat. The best way to do it is by imagining about breathing through a straw between the throat and the chest.
- Make sure to notice the mimicking sound of an ocean while inhaling and exhaling.
- Once the person is comfortable with the inhalation and exhalation process, he can focus on the breathing sound that is produced during the process. It should be clearly audible to him.
What are the things to keep in mind while practicing Ujjayi Pranayama?
It is always recommended to learn breathing exercises from a yoga teacher. The person can help an individual understand the various things related to the process. For example, an expert can teach a person the right way of breathing and holding the breath. It will help him in increasing longevity, improving skin, enhancing peace of mind and fighting disease.
Below are some of the other things to keep in mind while practicing this breathing exercise:
- Beginners should not practice this breathing for more than five minutes a day. The person can gradually increase the timing after he becomes familiar with the process.
- It is quite normal to feel the warmth, especially at the back of the throat, while doing this breathing exercise.
- It is also worth noting that the proportion of breathing should not be forced under any circumstances.
- If the practitioner feels uneasy or dizzy at any point of the practice, then the person should immediately discontinue the process and breathe normally.
- People who are suffering from hypertension are not encouraged to practice this pranayama
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