Breathing is the Most Important Part

Breathing is the most important part of a yoga pose. Ujjayi (oo-jy-ee) breath, also called conqueror breath is a great breath for beginner yogis. I frequently teach it to my Gainesville yoga students. Here are the steps to practice Ujjayi Breath.

1. Seated in an easy pose, with legs crossed or in half lotus, begin lengthening your spinal column with your shoulders relaxed.

2. Inhale through your nose, then exhale slowly through a wide-open mouth. Direct the out-going breath slowly across the back of your throat with a drawn-out HA sound.

3. Repeat several times, then close your mouth. Now, as you both inhale and exhale through your nose, direct the breath again slowly across the back of your throat. Ideally, this will create, and you should hear, a soft sea-shell sound...similar to Darth Vadar.

4. This sound, called ajapa mantra (ah-JOP-ah mahn-trah) the "unspoken mantra," slows down and regulates your breath, allowing you to focus your awareness on your body and mind.