Viloma Ujjayi is in a way an “opposite” technique to Anuloma Ujjayi.
The breathing cycle in Viloma Ujjayi is:
- Inhale through the left nostril (closing the right nostril by applying pressure to the thumb).
- Exhale with both nostrils open using Ujjayi (throat control).
- Inhale through the right nostril (closing the left nostril by applying pressure to your ring finger).
- Exhale with both nostrils open using Ujjayi (throat control).
IMPORTANT: never use two breath control techniques at the same time. In this case when you exhale using Ujjayi, both nostrils are open; when you inhale using nostril control you release the Ujjayi – DO NOT use Ujjayi when using nostril control. This is true for all Pranayama techniques. Ujjayi and nostril control both act as valves to affect the flow of breath – only use one at any given time.
If your practice includes holds then add them where necessary. Like Anuloma Ujjayi – one round of breathing is made up of two breaths. When practicing, you should always do an even number of breaths – so that the practice remains symmetrical (unless you’ve been given specific instructions by a qualified teacher).
Here is a practice to get acquainted with Viloma Ujjayi. It begins and ends with regular Ujjayi breathing and in the middle the technique is changed to Viloma Ujjayi. Find yourself a comfortable seated position and do the following practice sequence :
1 – 0 – 1 – 0 (x4 – Ujjayi)
1 – 0 – 1 – 0 (x4 – Viloma Ujjayi)
1 – 0 – 1.5 – 0 (x4 – Viloma Ujjayi)
1 – 0 – 1 – 0 (x4 – Ujjayi)