Breath Work – Bhramari Pranayama – The Humming Bee

This is one of my favourite breath works as it always conquers up images of a lazy hazy warm sunny day, with bees buzzing in the meadows. This is a great introduction to meditation as it also helps to centre and focus the mind.

Technique

  1. Find a warm cosy area where you won’t be disturbed, light a candle, you may wish to play some soft gentle music (optional) and sit in a comfortable meditative asana (pose).
  2. Close your eyes and gently note the natural rhythm of your breath. Don’t alter or change your breath just simply observe the fact that you are breathing in and out.
  3. Then gently use your index fingers to plug both your ears. Continue to breathe normally.
  4. Inhale slowly through both nostrils. Exhale slowly, but as you do so produce a long continuous humming sound like a bee. Keep your exhalation slow, steady and smooth. Do not strain your lungs or force your breath in anyway.
  5. Feel the sound vibration in your brain, throat and chest area and be conscious only of the sound. This is one round of breath.
  6. Repeat 4 & 5 a number of times gradually increasing the number of breaths you take.

Benefits

  1. This is a very relaxing and soothing breath work as you breathing slows and deepens.
  2. This breath work helps to strengthen the diaphragm.
  3. The sound penetrates deep into your mind and body, drawing attention inwards which brings with it a sense of calm both mentally and physically.
  4. This breath work is useful prior to sleep especially if you suffer from insomnia and / or stress.
  5. It helps to relieve cerebral tension, anxiety, anger, frustration and helps lower blood pressure.