Ujjayi Breath – My Anchor for Presence, Strength, and Calm in Yoga

Marie Lohr
Aug 4
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

There’s something about the Ujjayi breath—that gentle oceanic whisper in the back of the throat—that brings me right here. Into this moment. Into my body. Into presence.

When I first started practicing yoga, I didn’t realize how much power breath could hold. I’d rush through postures, disconnected from the rhythm inside me. But then I met Ujjayi. Now, I teach it in every one of my public classes during my Yoga Teacher Training in Byron Bay—and I use it daily to anchor myself before movement, meditation, or moments of emotional overwhelm.

What is Ujjayi Breath?

Ujjayi means “victorious breath.” It’s a form of pranayama where you gently constrict the back of your throat while breathing through the nose, creating a soft, steady sound—like waves on the shore or wind through trees.

This audible breath is often called the ocean breath or Darth Vader breath (yes, really!). But more than a sound, it becomes a tool for focus.

Why I Use Ujjayi in Class

Ujjayi helps me:

Stay present in challenging postures like Warrior II or Half Moon.
Create internal heat and energize the body from the inside out.
Quiet the mind when it starts to wander.
Feel connected—to breath, to body, and to spirit.

When students hear my breath, they often slow down and sync up with their own. There’s a collective rhythm that emerges. Suddenly, the room is breathing together.

How to Practice Ujjayi Breath

Inhale through your nose.

Imagine sipping air through a small straw at the back of your throat.
Exhale through your nose

Slightly contract the back of your throat (like you’re fogging up a mirror, but with your mouth closed).
Keep the sound steady.

It should feel smooth and even—like waves, not forced.
Let it accompany your movement.

Use Ujjayi to flow through your Vinyasa, hold strong in postures, or simply sit in stillness.