Ocean Breath – Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first and second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third and fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest and throat.

The length and speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm (a sheet of internal muscle at the bottom of the rib cage), the strengthening of which is, in part, the purpose of ujjayi.

 

Ujjayi breathing stimulates the vagus nerve which  is the heart of the parasympathetic nervous system. It controls the organs of maintenance (heart, digestion, breathing, glands) sending information from your gut to your brain.

Ujjayi breathing dramatically changes how your brain works. If you just do a slow breathing rate (2 to 4 breaths per minute), you will turn on the vagus. Animals and children do ujjayi breathing naturally.

 Benefits:

• Tones the lungs and encourages the free and healthy flow of prana
• Helps to regulate blood pressure
• Improves concentration
• Calms the mind
• Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)

 

Bibliography:

http://rick.evertsz.name/731_kriyas/yoga_breathing_a_talk_by_dr.html (accessed omn 09/08/14)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujjayi_breath (accessed on 09/08/14)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_diaphragm (accessed omn 09/08/14)