Pranayama
Ujjayi, the ocean breath.
Ujjayi, the ocean breath, is a classical pranayama breathed through the nose with a slight narrowing at the back of the throat. The narrowing makes a soft, steady sound, like the sea heard from a distance, and slows each breath down. In Reed it runs as a slow rhythm: four counts in, six counts out.
Last updated: October 2026
The pattern
- Inhale through the nose for 4 counts, with a slight narrowing at the back of the throat.
- Exhale through the nose for 6 counts, keeping the same narrowing and the same soft sound.
One cycle · 10 counts · session runs 5 minutes
Finding the sound
Breathe out through an open mouth as if you were fogging a mirror, with a soft "haaa". Notice the slight narrowing at the back of your throat that makes the sound. Keep it, close your mouth, and breathe in and out through your nose. The sound should stay soft: you hear it, and maybe someone sitting close does, but it's never strained.
When to reach for it
A steadying practice for the moments between things: before work that needs your attention, or at the end of the day when you want the breath to slow. Five minutes, seated, eyes open or closed.
Practising safely
Ujjayi is a gentle pattern with no holds, and the throat sound should stay soft rather than forced; if the narrowing feels uncomfortable, breathe normally through the nose and keep to the count. Practise sitting or lying down somewhere safe, never while driving or in water, and stop if you feel dizzy or unwell. If you are pregnant, or have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, a respiratory condition, epilepsy, or experience panic attacks, check with a doctor before you begin. Reed is for general wellbeing; it is not medical advice or treatment.
Five minutes, guided by a single orb and gentle haptics, so you can follow it with your eyes closed. You mark how you feel before and after, and Reed shows you the shift.
Free, like every session, with no account.
Questions
What makes the ocean sound?
A slight narrowing at the back of the throat, the same one you use to fog a mirror. Air passing through it makes a soft, even sound.
How loud should it be?
Soft. You should hear it; someone across the room shouldn't. An even sound matters more than a loud one.
Is it the breath used in yoga classes?
Yes. Many yoga styles use Ujjayi during the postures. Reed's session is the seated version: only the breath, at a slow count.
Is Ujjayi free in Reed?
Yes. Every session in Reed is free and unlimited, with no account. Reed Pro adds personal insights on top; it never locks a session.