Ujjayi breathing timer (ocean breath)
Ujjayi, often called ocean breath, is a yoga breathing technique with a soft sound made by gently narrowing the throat. This timer paces a slow, even in and out; the sound is something you add.
- Breathe in 5s
- Breathe out 5s
Take it with you in the app
This tool runs in your browser. Want it on your phone, with voice cues, background timing and a real alarm? Open the same tool in NanoTimer.
Open on your phoneOpens the right tab in NanoTimer on your iPhone.
Download on theApp StoreLink coming soon
How it works
- Breathe in and out through your nose, slightly constricting the back of your throat, as if you were fogging a mirror with your mouth closed. That makes the soft ocean-like sound.
- Follow the circle: in for five as it grows, out for five as it shrinks. Keep both equal.
- The sound should be quiet and steady, not strained. If your throat feels tight, ease off.
- In a yoga class this breath runs continuously through the poses. On its own, a few minutes is plenty.
Frequently asked questions
- Why the throat sound?
- Gently narrowing the throat slows the air and gives the breath something to focus on, which is part of why it feels steadying. The sound is a guide for keeping the breath smooth and even, not the goal in itself.
- Is ujjayi the same as other slow breathing?
- The pacing is similar to coherent breathing, slow and even. What is distinct is the throat constriction and the sound, which come from the yoga tradition. Treat the calming effect as something people report rather than a clinical claim.
- Can I do this in the app?
- Yes. The NanoTimer app has a dedicated Breathe section: guided, adjustable breathing patterns, free.