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
- 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).
- 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.
- Then gently use your index fingers to plug both your ears. Continue to breathe normally.
- 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.
- Feel the sound vibration in your brain, throat and chest area and be conscious only of the sound. This is one round of breath.
- Repeat 4 & 5 a number of times gradually increasing the number of breaths you take.
Benefits
- This is a very relaxing and soothing breath work as you breathing slows and deepens.
- This breath work helps to strengthen the diaphragm.
- The sound penetrates deep into your mind and body, drawing attention inwards which brings with it a sense of calm both mentally and physically.
- This breath work is useful prior to sleep especially if you suffer from insomnia and / or stress.
- It helps to relieve cerebral tension, anxiety, anger, frustration and helps lower blood pressure.