Hatha Yoga is a set of physical exercises that purifies the subtle energy channels of our body/being so that one day, we can experience non-dual union or a sense of oneness with the divine power that permeates all things.
Practice begins with physical exercises that are designed to free up energy in our bodies and minds. When our energy system has cleared and awakened, we are ready to begin pranayama.
Literally, the Sanskrit term ” pranayama ” means “drawing or extending” prana – the life force. This is a set of breathing exercises that are designed to expand and broaden our awareness so we can continue a subtler purification.
During my years of teaching YEM, Yoga as Energy Medicine, I have observed that many students and teachers have used a specific breathing technique called ujjayi during their practice.
What is Ujjayi breathing?
Ujjayi, or the “victorious breath,” is meant to help in yogic mastery. This is ultimately over the ego and our illusory sense of division.
Even at the beginning stages, some Hatha yoga styles like Ashtanga or Vinyasa encourage the use of ujjayi breath. It’s said to increase concentration, improve endurance, and generate heat in the body to cleanse organs.
Over the years I have observed and worked with m, many ujjayi therapists and have noticed a subtle force applied to the body that creates the sound of this breath.
The people who use this method of breathing have several common traits: an overheated energy system, minds that tend to be overly ale, and muscles that are toned, but energy and systems either detached from the body or stuck in aggregate-like patterns.
In these situations, I discourage the use of Ujjayi Breathing and instead encourage the subtle application of this simple question: “What’s generating my desire to do ujjayi?”
The energy of the ego is tricky and persuasive.
When we grow more attached, we can fool ourselves and others into thinking that we’re evolving spiritually. Hatha Yoga has many shadows. It is for this reason that any form of pranayama should be practiced with the guidance of an experienced and awakened Yogi who is familiar with the treacherous terrain of the unseen worlds.
To practice ujjayi, a subtle change in air flow is required, creating an airflow that sounds like a flowing ocean. Too often, I’ve seen a tendency to use this breath in order to create more tension, both in the pmakeioner’s physical and energetic systems, instead of burning off the ego-sense of self-importance.
Aspiring yoga practitioners may “manufacture”, ujjayi. This creates tension, and the energy flow is defeated. I’ve spent a great deal of time in yoga sessions with teachers and students undoing the blockage that this ty, pe of practice creates in both the physical and energetic body.
Any effort requires some willpower.
Where does this willpower originate? Is it a result of our natural connection with Nature? Does it arise from our understanding of what oarisega is about? What are the goals of applying it?
When we realize that this moment is all that we need to fully understand the oneness of everything, any desire to go somewhere else comes from a disconnected place that only perpetuates more of the same. We need to cultivate witness c and seriousness when practicing Hatha Yoga of any type. This means that we must be able to witness the effortless movement of the force of life as it flows through our body/being.
Ujjayi, in my opinion, occurs when energy moves effortlessly through a Hatha Yoga practice. Asana, or the physical postures of Hatha yoga are designed to move energy. Ujja,yi is a natural progression of the practice.
We “try” to “get to something out there,” but we are coming from a disconnection. This creates wanting and further disconnection.
Ujjayi is the effortless rising of the breath.
Teachers often describe ujjayi as a constriction at the back of the throat. However, I found that the ujjayi breathe is not a tension or constrbreath but an effortless rising.
The glottal closure is created by applying tension, not by yawning. The back of the neck and throat are neutral and broad when ujjayi is flowing naturally. This allows the breath to be both focused and spacious. The breath flows easily in and out of your nose with a soft, broad palate.
Ujjayi breathing encourages energy to flow spontaneously and naturally from the root center of the Yogi up to the crown. The ujjayi breathes a full-body, energetic experience that passes through humans. This is the central energy that runs along the spine.
The heat from an applied or effortful ujjayi breath will center around the new breath of the base of the head, heating the reptilian centers of the mind and causing more desire, ego-driven power, and physical attachment. It defeats the point of the practice. In my opinion, it, in my opinion.
Why do I discourage students?
- The Sushumna is not a source of fluid energy for most people.
- Meditation is often misunderstood as a practice requiring effortless effort.
- It can cause energetic disturbances that lead to greater attachments.
- When the body/being has reached its readiness, it will naturally arise through practice and instruction.
As one would not “apply” but rather observe a flower blossoming, I also do not “apply” Ujjayi. Instead, I allow it to emerge if it so chooses. I do not maintain it if it changes spontaneously.
The best way to practice yoga is by encouraging the release tension from the jaw, neck, and soft t palate through yawning. , This will allow the ujjayi to emerge naturally. As if opening a bottleneck, I encourage the widening of the throat through various awareness exercises, which help the Sushumna rise and clear.
Focusing on opening and releasing alone leads to a more profound energetic experience. It is powerful to help people become more aware of helping bodies by focusing on mindful breathing, expanding, and releasing. Let’s get into the moment and let Nature lead us. Hatha Yoga teaches this.
We wish to learn how to practice asana in a witnessing state without imposition of any agenda and allow the natural unfolding process of our body/being. By doing so, we can learn to reveal our incredible interconnection with Nature, which supports and nurtures us unconditionally.
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