Yoga practice
Traditionally used during Yoga and asana practice.
gentle
Ujjayi Pranayama
Victorious Breath / Ocean Breath
A smooth, continuous nasal breath with a soft ocean-like sound.
INHALE THROUGH NOSE 5 → EXHALE THROUGH NOSE 5
GENTLE THROAT CONSTRICTION
INHALE THROUGH NOSE
INHALE THROUGH NOSE 5 → EXHALE THROUGH NOSE 5
Sit comfortably and keep the breath easy and unforced. Follow the silent visual guidance.
How to practise
Simple steps
Step 1
Settle
Sit comfortably and allow the face, jaw and shoulders to soften.
Step 2
Nasal inhale
Breathe in smoothly through the nose.
Step 3
Ocean exhale
Breathe out through the nose with a very gentle narrowing at the back of the throat.
The soft rushing sound should never involve throat strain.
Ayurvedic & Yogic context
How This Practice Is Traditionally Used
Warmth
Yoga tradition describes Ujjayi as building internal warmth.
Focus
Traditionally associated with steady attention and rhythmic breathing.
In Yoga tradition, Ujjayi is used during asana and is associated with internal warmth, focus, steady attention, rhythmic breathing and the balancing experience of Prana. “Building internal heat” is a traditional Yoga description.
- Traditionally used during Yoga and asana practice
- Associated with focus and steady attention
- Traditionally described as building internal warmth
- Supports smooth, rhythmic breath awareness
Evidence in context
What Research Has Explored
Research into slow breathing with Ujjayi has examined cardiovascular and respiratory responses. Some physiological effects appear to relate importantly to slow breathing itself, so Ujjayi should not be described as proven superior to ordinary slow breathing.
Safety & suitability
Practise with care
Things to remember
These breathing and Pranayama practices are provided for general wellbeing and educational purposes. Traditional Ayurvedic and Yogic descriptions are identified as such. They are not a substitute for medical assessment or treatment. Never force the breath, and stop if you become dizzy, faint, unusually short of breath or uncomfortable.
Avoid throat strain. The sound should remain soft and comfortable.
Never force the breath. Stop if dizzy, faint, unusually short of breath or uncomfortable.
References
Sources & Further Reading
Traditional & practice sources
No external traditional source is listed until an original page has been verified.
Research
See how breath fits within the wider Ayur Prana Ki 360 Wellness approach.