How to Do Vinyasa Yoga Breathing Patterns

There are many pranayamas (breathing exercises) in yoga, but the most practiced in Vinyasa is the Ujjayi breath. The pattern for Ujjayi breath is fairly simple once you find your own rhythm and rate. Here is a step-by-step way to pattern your breath and find your own breathing rhythm.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Yoga mat
• Time to find your breathing rhythm

Ujjayi Breathing Pattern

1. Establish your breathing rate while you are in a comfortable seated position, such as lotus pose. Start igniting the Ujjayi breath, the hissing sound at the back of the throat. Stay in a seated position until you feel the Ujjayi breath naturally coming in and out of your body. Be aware of the breath, but try not to dwell on the length or sound of the hiss.
2. Come into downward-facing dog. When the face and chest are facing down, be especially mindful of the breath. Usually it is hard to maintain the breath when in difficult poses or when holding poses for longer periods of time.
3. Inhale, working your way into plank pose. The inhale will initiate the first pose you move into.
4. Exhale, working your way back into downward-facing dog.
5. Follow this pattern of inhaling, working your way into plank, exhaling and moving back into downward-facing dog.
6. Think of the breath as a cycle and initiate the movements with a full breath.

Tips & Warnings

• Sit comfortably and count how long it takes you to inhale and how long it takes you to exhale. If if takes five counts to inhale and five to exhale, your breath cycle will take ten counts. Take an entire five counts to move in and out of poses.