If you’re newer to yoga, “Ujjayi” becomes just another word you don’t understand. You’re moving, you’re trying not to fall out of a pose, and suddenly you’re supposed to control your breathing in a very specific way? And, at that, one that’s often encouraged to “engage,” but rarely comes with any instruction on how to do so?

Like most things in yoga, however, once it clicks, your Ujjayi breath becomes one of the most powerful tools in your practice.