Ujjai Breathing technique

Ujjai (Sanskrit : उज्जायी; 'ud'+'jayathe' ; ud=upward/superior in rank; jayathe = victory,conquest, also implies curbing/restraint).Ujjai breathing is also called "ocean breathing" or "breathing with hissing/snoring sound".Ujjai breathing squeezes the body as if it were a sponge and increases its capacity to soak up energy.

It is a great exercise to get rid of phlegm in chest,lungs and other organs inside the rib cage.

Benefits:

1) Removes phlegm from the throat and from the organs of the chest.

2) Increases appetite.

3) Helpful for people with insomnia (sleeplessness).

4) Wards off thyroid problems.

The breathing technique described here is not the actual Ujjai Pranayam. This technique is a basic version of ujjai pranayam. In pranayams , the inhaled air is retained for sometime in the belly. The technique described here does not involve any retention of air in the belly. If performed wrongly, pranayams may have adverse effects on the body. A lot of practice is needed to perform the pranayams perfectly. The version described here will prepare you for doing the actual Ujjai Pranayam in a proper way.

Procedure : (Ujjai Breathing)

1) Sit in Padmasan  (Sanskrit : पद्मसन;Padma=Lotus,Asana=posture ; Lotus Posture)  

2) Exhale and empty your lungs.

3) Inhale with ujjai (inhale through your nose and make a snoring sound. Contract your larynx a little bit to induce snoring sound. The essential thing in the inhalation is not the sound but the friction around your throat region)

4) Exhale with ujjai (exhale through your nose and make a snoring sound. Contract your larynx a little bit to induce snoring sound. The essential thing in the exhalation is not the sound but the friction around your throat region)

5) Do alternate ujjai-inhalation and ujjai-exhalation for 10 times

6) Do 2 - 3 normal relaxed breathing.

Cautions/Recommendations:

1) Duration of Exhalations should be prolonged when compared to inhalation. The ratio of exhalation to inhalation can be 2:1.

2) Make sure that the mouth is completely closed when performing this breathing technique.

3) Do not contract the neck while performing this technique.

4) Your face should relaxed through out the process.

5) The technique can be practiced even when walking,traveling and sitting.