This particular style of breathing is said to enhance and empower the asana practice, with the English translation meaning “to become victorious” or “to gain mastery.” To create the Ujjayi breath, one must constrict the back of the throat, similar to the toning action made when speaking in a whisper or fogging up a mirror. Therefore, it is an audible breath that is often compared to the sound of an ocean wave. Although there is a constriction of the throat, the breath flows in and out through the nostrils, with the lips remaining gently closed, jaw muscles relaxed, and the teeth slightly parting.  In the Vinyasa style of yoga, Ujjayi pranayama is emphasized as a way to link the breath with the movement, as Vinyasa yoga is based on breath-synchronized poses. 




