Ujjayi pranayama translates to victorious breath or ocean breathing because of the "ha" sound that you make by constricting the back of the throat. In this video, I demonstrate exactly how it's done. This breath control technique can be performed during your physical (asana) yoga practice and after: right before you sit for meditation. It can also be performed whenever you desire to simply calm the mind. It is always best to practice breath control on an empty stomach to avoid any extra pressure on the lungs.

More information about pranayama:

Pranayama is the practice of breath control in yoga: the fourth limb of the eightfold yogic path, right after the asanas (postures). Breath control is vital to this practice as 'prana' is the life force energy which flows throughout the body. When we're able to control our breath, we're better able to calm the mind. There are a host of benefits of practicing breathwork like relieving stress and anxiety, calming the nervous system, increasing energy and feelings of peace and wellbeing, freeing physical and emotional blocks in the body, establishing a healthy respiratory system, increasing the lung capacity and more. Certain pranayama techniques, like "ujjayi" (victorious breath) are designed to also be implemented during the physical practice, which helps creates a breath to movement flow, keeping you grounded in the present moment. It essentially is the connection between the external and internal yoga practice. Other techniques like "nadi shodhana" (alternate nostril breathing) must be practiced while still.