Pranayama and Kriya

UJJAYI PRANAYAMA

Ujjayi literally means “triumphantly uprising” and it refers to the triumphant expansion and uprising of prana (life force energy) through the main energy channel called sushumna nadi. Ujjayi is distinguished by a resonant sound made by toning the throat and is commonly referred to as the “oceanic breath.” The sound helps us to synchronise breath with movements during yoga, making the entire yoga practice more rhythmic.

NADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA

Nadi shodhana, also called “alternate nostril breathing,” is a cleansing practice that involves inhaling and exhaling through one nostril at a time. As the breath moves in and out through each nostril, it provides a quieting focus, helping to soothe the nerves, still the mind, and balance the subtle energy of the body.

BRAHMARI PRANAYAMA

Bhramari pranayama is a humming breath practice that calms and the nervous system. This breath practice is named after a type of black Indian bee due to the bee-like buzzing sound produced during the exhale. The sound is soothing for a spinning mind, and the practice helps lengthen the exhalation without excessive strain.

ANULOMA KRAMA PRANAYAMA

Anuloma means “to go with the natural flow” and krama means “in steps.” In this pranayama technique, the process of breathing in is broken into stages or steps , followed by a long, smooth exhalation. Each stage of the inhalation is of equal measure, with each stage of the inhale followed by a pause of equal measure. This breath practice helps to cultivate skilful breath control and awareness as well as develop the ability to use the lungs fully. During the short pauses, known as breath retentions, it is an opportunity for the mind to become more one-pointed.

VILOMA KRAMA PRANAYAMA

Viloma means “to go against the natural flow” and krama means “in steps.” In this pranayama technique, the exhalation is divided into three equal steps with each step of the exhale followed by a pause of an equal measure. The inhalation is one long, smooth, sustained breath. This breath practice helps to cultivate skilful breath control and awareness as well as develop the ability to use the lungs fully. During the short pauses, known as breath retentions, it is an opportunity for the mind to become more one-pointed.

SITALI PRANAYAMA

Sitali pranayama, often called “the cooling breath,” is a breath practice that cools the body and has a calming effect on the nervous system. In Ayurveda, Sitali breath is said to soothe a pitta imbalance and is also encouraged during the summer months to pacify the heat that builds in your body. In this pranayama, the inhalation is moistened as it passes through the curl of the tongue (as though drinking the breath through a straw). The ability to curl your tongue is a genetic trait, so if you are unable to do it, try an alternative pranayama practice called Sitkari, which offers the same effects.

KAPALABHATI KRIYA

Kapalabhati is a traditional internal purification practice, or kriya, that cleanses the respiratory system by encouraging the release of toxins and waste matter. It comes from two Sanskrit words, “kapala” meaning “skull” and “bhati” meaning “to be lustrous or to shine.” This kriya is often referred to as “skull shining breath” refreshing and rejuvenating the body and mind and ultimately supplying the brain with a fresh supply of oxygen-rich blood. It involves forcefully expelling the breath out through the nostrils by a powerful pumping of the abdomen. The exhalation is active and the inhalation is passive and all the breaths are through the nose.