Ocean BreathingSave PDF
Ujjayi Pranayama
oo-JAI-yee PRAHN-AH-YAHM-ah
Strengthens respiratory muscles
Lowers blood pressure, improves thyroid function
Soothes nervous system, calms mind
How to perform Ocean Breathing
- Sit in a comfortable position. Lengthen your spine.
- Rest your hands on your knees. Close your eyes.
- Open your mouth. As you exhale, contract your throat and make a ‘hhhaaa’ sound, as if you were fogging a mirror. It should sound like a soft whisper.
- Now close your mouth and breathe through your nose only, but continue making this ‘hhhaaa’ sound with each inhale and exhale.
- Repeat 10 rounds of this breath.
Alignment cues
- Lengthen spine
- Keep chin parallel to floor
- Relax shoulders
- Slightly constrict the throat
Modification: Place a firm cushion or rolled mat under your bottom to bring more length to your spine.
More yoga poses to discover
Ocean Breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama in Sanskrit) is a beginner yoga pose that belongs to the breathing exercises category. This asana targets abs and chest. Ocean breathing lowers blood pressure, improves thyroid function; strengthens respiratory muscles and also soothes nervous system, calms mind. Refer to the illustration and instructions above for how to perform this posture correctly. Discover more yoga asanas and yogic breathing exercises in our free yoga pose directory – a visual resource for yoga teacher training students as well as practitioners of all levels. Finally, shop our best-selling Yoga Cards products!
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