Bhramari Pranayama

Bee Breathing

The name is derived from the word for the black Indian bumble bee, Bhramari; it describes the characteristic humming sound which is produced while exhaling in this breathing exercise.

Benefits:

Bhramari harmonizes the mind and removes external distractions. It soothes the nervous system, enhances the voice and calms a busy mind. It is a good practice to use before meditation. Bhramari also has an immediate relaxing effect on the brain. If it is practiced some minutes every day it can reduce mental tension and lower high blood pressure. It can also be useful in correcting some conditions of the throat and for singing.

Practice: Exhalation

 Sit in a meditation pose with a straight back. Place the hands on the knees, straighten the arms, and close the eyes. Inhale deeply through the nose and hold the breath. Close the ears by closing the small flaps of the ears with the index or middle finger. The elbows are held out to the side so that the chest is open. Then the exhalation takes place through the nose, while the mouth is closed (but the jaw is held so relaxed that the teeth don't touch each other). During exhalation, a smooth, deep and relatively strong humming sound is created in the vocal chords and sinuses. It sounds like that of a bumblebee.

Become one with the sound vibrations and let them fill your whole head, maybe even the whole body. After the exhalation let the hands rest on the knees and breathe normally.

Repeat this nine times.

Afterwards, sit still with closed eyes.