5. Ancillary Breathing Techniques

Ujjāyī
– Pūraka both Nostrils with Ujjāyī
– Recaka  both Nostrils with Ujjāyī
(Not taught as a Prāṇāyāma technique per se,
but as a breathing technique in and for Āsana and Mudrā and
as an introductory or preliminary or transitional seated breathing exercise)

“During the practice one must constantly engage
in regulating the exhale, inhale and retention.
Ujjāyī is to be smooth and slow,
according to the strength or capability of the student.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
the Yoga Rahasya Chapter One verse 33

“We normally practice Ujjāyī for a long time
before introducing Nāḍī Śodhana Prāṇāyāma.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga Chapter Nine Page 121

“Pratiloma Ujjāyī is both
an elegant and eloquent
Prāṇāyāma technique.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“Pratiloma Ujjāyī is
a gentle and gracious
Prāṇāyāma technique.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“When using Mṛgi Mudrā to control the nostril flow in Prāṇāyāma,
the ring finger and thumb remain as if glued onto the nostrils,
with one nostril being fully closed and one nostril partially closed,
with adjustments to the pressure according to technique and ratio.
Even when using Ujjāyī within techniques such as Anuloma Ujjāyī,
the finger and thumb remain as if sealed on the sides of the nostrils.
Externally it’s as if there is nothing to observe in terms of the body.
Internally there is a vibrant flow within the dynamics of the breath.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“In the beginning, Ujjāyī is experienced more as a sound.
As we refine its relationship with the breath, through
increasing the Length and deepening the Subtlety,
Ujjāyī is felt more as a sensation within the body
and less as a sound and vibration in the throat.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

Bhāvana on Ujjāyī as a Dhāraṇā Deśa
“Ujjāyī is a form of Ajapā Mantra.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“The ‘seed’ of potential for Ujjāyī as an
Ajapā Mantra abides within the ‘shell’ of
a Bhāvana for Ujjāyī as a Dhāraṇā Deśa.
The Deśa also needs to be supported by
utilising a locationally relevant Ādhāra,
as in this instance, the Viśuddhi Ādhāra.
Further considerations can be around the
linking of the sound of Ujjāyī to a semantic
thought-form, by adding Mano Japā Rūpa to
this Ajapā, as some do through using Haṃsa.
However, one could argue that this formation,
shifting from a non-language feeling-based
experience into a language thought-based
experience, can detract from the Bhāvana,
in that a unique Lakṣaṇa of Ujjāyī resides in
the notion of ‘sounding’ without language.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“What can define a transition between
Cikitsā Krama, Rakṣaṇa Krama and
Śikṣaṇa Krama in terms of Prāṇāyāma?
Is it that in Cikitsā Krama, the priority is
establishing an Āsana practice with the aim
of developing a core relationship with Ujjāyī?
Whereas, in Rakṣaṇa Krama, the priority is
establishing a Prāṇāyāma practice with the aim
of developing a core relationship, primarily
with Anuloma and secondarily with Pratiloma?
Whereas, in Śikṣaṇa Krama, the priority is
developing a core relationship, primarily with
Nāḍī Śodhana and secondarily with Sūrya Bhedana?”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“Amongst other roles Ujjāyī
is a breathing technique that
can facilitate the ability to remain
in the doorway of awareness,
neither going in and introverting, when
tempted by the manoeuvring of the mind,
nor going out and extroverting, when
tempted by the shimmering of the senses.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

Links to Related Posts:

• Prāṇāyāma & Bandha Practice Techniques Glossary
  – Grouped into Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Techniques
• 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers
• Āsana & Mudrā Practice Techniques Glossary
  – Grouped into Standing, Kneeling, Lying,
  Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting
• 20 Minute Prāṇāyāma Practice
• Commentary on viniyoga Vignette 2 – Combining techniques in Prāṇāyāma
• cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 1 – Self Planning & Self Practice
• cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 2 – Self Planning & Self Practice
• cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 4 – Self Planning & Self Practice
• Design a Prāṇāyāma for yourself to include Śītalī, Anuloma Ujjāyī and Nāḍī Śodhana
• Design a Prāṇāyāma practice to increase the length and stamina of the inhalation within Viloma Ujjāyī
• Exploring Prāṇāyāma within Cikitsā, Rakṣaṇa and Śikṣaṇa Krama…
• If we appreciate the role of breathing in Āsana how can we make it longer?
• Longer term Vinyāsa Krama within the Viniyoga of the breath in Āsana……
• The Viniyoga of Inversion as an Āsana or as a Mudrā……
• Viniyoga Vignette 1 – Antar and Bāhya Kumbhaka in Āsana
• Viniyoga Vignette 2 – Combining techniques in Prāṇāyāma
• Viniyoga Vignette 2 Commentary on – Combining techniques in Prāṇāyāma
• Viniyoga Vignette 3 – Śītalī and Anuloma Ujjāyī Prāṇāyāma within Āsana
• Viniyoga Vignette 4 – Combining Prāṇāyāma within Āsana
• Viniyoga Vignette 5 – Introducing Uḍḍīyana Bandha within an Āsana practice