Ujjayi - Breath

2nd Pillar of Baptiste Power Yoga

Ujjayi

Building upon the first pillar of Baptiste Yoga (Drishti - Gaze), the next is Ujjay. Ujjay is a breathing practice (pranayama) to control the flow of breath.

Ujjayi is commonly translated to “victorious breath”

Ujjayi breathing is done by breathing in through your nose, then slightly constricting the back of your throat as you exhale through your nose.

The exhale is audible and sounds kind of like Darth Vader as he’s breathing. Your audible breath is an anchor point for your attention,  keeping you present in the moment during your practice. The rate and depth of which you mindfully breathe has a profound affect on your body. Consciously breathing deeply - counting to 4 as you inhale, counting again to 4 as you exhale, stimulates your vagus nerve. The results of ujjayi breathing are lowering your blood pressure, slowing your heart rate and calming your sympathetic nervous system.

Baptiste Power Yoga is a breath-centered practice where you move at the pace of your breath. We link movement to breath, cultivating an intentional, purposeful rhythm of total body expression.  We at All Y’All Yoga believe that you should be seen and heard. Join us and fill the room with the sound of your breath.

Are you breathing?

If you are, you can do yoga.