Bhramari Breath aka Bee Humming Breath

Sources:

Fitsri.com | ArtOfLiving.org | LifeSpa.com

When your mind is buzzing with the hustle of long hours of work or you want to feel instant moments of silence after a busy day, just remember your breath.

Prana you are taking in and out with breath can work for you at this moment.

Among different breathing techniques in yoga, bhramari breathing is the most effective and instantaneous for calming mind and get rid of the hustle of daily life.

Bhramari is a Sanskrit term (भ्रमरी) which derives its name from ‘Bee’, as exhalation sound produced in this pranayama resembles the ‘Humming Sound (hmmm)’ of a bee.

This pranayama has its roots from ancient yogic text Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP), where it’s described one among 8 classical breathing techniques. Its mention in HYP is seen in this way:

Fill air quickly, making noise like wasp (black Bee like species) and expel it slowly with same noise, this practice flow wave of ecstasy in Yogindras mind. ~ HYP 2.68

In Bhramari Pranayama, as you exhale, the ear canal is closed with index fingers and humming sound like a bee is produced from the back of the throat.

One good thing I personally feel about bhramari breathing, even after the long hours of practice it, little impulses of humming sound continues vibrating in my body and mind. It makes me feel and resonates with the inner silence of body & hence, concentrating on work becomes much easier.

Calming Effect of Bhramari Breathing

Understanding your breathing pattern through bhramari is the easiest way to calm your mind and get rid of anxiety.

Most of the breath counts we take are just short, therefore associated with the upper chest only.

In short breathing, because of lack of Prana (life force) it won’t spread among every cell of your brain, and thus you become anxious, frustrated after little issues when you are a short breather.

On the other hand, breathing has a calming effect on the mind when exhale is relatively longer as compared to inhale.

Consistent practice of Bhramari increases the average duration of exhale without any attention or external strain.

With longer exhale, a higher amount of CO₂ expelled out of the body and in the same proportion requirement of o₂ increased in the body. To fulfill this increased requirement, autonomic nervous system activates (ANS).

Hence, bhramari pranayama got its calming effect by activating the ANS.  Also, the humming sound creates a resonance between the respiratory system and brain, which clears the throat from blockage and bacterial infections.

Benefits of Bhramari pranayama (Bee Breath)

• Gives instant relief from tension, anger, and anxiety. It is a very effective breathing technique for people suffering from hypertension as it calms down the agitated mind.
• Gives relief if you're feeling hot or have a slight headache
• Helps mitigate migraines.
• Pranayama benefits in Improving concentration and memory
• Builds confidence.
• Pranayama benefits in reducing blood pressure.
• Helps calm the mind in preparation for meditation.

Precautions for doing Bhramari pranayama

• Ensure that you are not putting your finger inside the ear but on the cartilage.
• Don’t press the cartilage too hard. Gently press and release with the finger.
• While making the humming sound, keep your mouth closed.
• You can also do Bhramari pranayama with your fingers in the Shanmukhi Mudra.
• Do not put pressure on your face.
• Do not exceed the recommended repetitions of 3-4 times.

Contraindications

None. Once this pranayama is learnt correctly from a yoga teacher, anyone from a child to an elderly person can practice this pranayama. The only prerequisite is that this pranayama should be done on empty stomach.