Ujjayi breath:
the what, the why and the how
all of yoga podcast · episode 02
Often, in a yoga class, your yoga teacher will say 'now engage the Ujjayi breath if you have that in your practise'.
But, if you don't know Ujjayi, or you were never quite sure how to do it, or you've forgotten how to do it, then this doesn't help too much.
This episode has been created to guide you through the what, the why and the how of the Ujjayi breath.
What Is Ujjayi Breath?
Ujjayi is short for Ujjayi Pranayama.
Prana means vital life force
Ayama means expansion
Pranayama refers to breathing practices that expand and regulate that vital energy
And Ujjayi means victorious.
But, victorious over what? In yoga philosophy, victory refers to mastery over the fluctuations of the mind. Not suppressing thoughts - but creating space between them, and Ujjayi is one way we begin training that space.
Enjoy!
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ujjayi: The what, the why and the how
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ujjayi is just the beginning…
Your breath is with you every moment of your life - influencing how you feel, how you think, how you sleep and even how you respond to stress.
This day retreat is a deeply nourishing day retreat designed to help you understand and experience the power of breathing in a simple, practical way.
It's about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and learning evidence-informed breathing practices that you can take into everyday life.
Whether you feel stressed, tired, overwhelmed, or simply curious about how breath affects your wellbeing, this retreat is perfect for you.
Go deeper: Pranayama for nervous system resilience
Ujjayi teaches you to work with your breath. But breath regulation isn’t just about control - it’s about listening.
With that in mind, I’ve created a free guided practice called: Nervous System Regulation – A Practice of Listening designed to help you notice subtle shifts in your body, soften effort, and build real resilience. You can explore the practice here on Insight Timer.
Explore more
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