Introduction to Pranayama part II: Reduce stress with Bhramari humming bee breath

Reduce stress with Bhramari humming bee breath, a technique for everyone. Step-by-step guide including benefits, how and when to practice.

Do you feel STRESSED? Practice Bhramari humming bee breath for just THREE breaths and feel your mind clear and re-focus, reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, and increase equanimity with the universe.

Benefits of practicing Bhramari humming bee breath:

How to practice Bhramari humming bee breath?

Sit down! Like in any Pranayama breathing technique, we practice Bhramari humming bee breath sat with a straight spine. This might be on your yoga mat or on a chair. If you’re sitting on the floor, you might want to sit on a block or a cushion, to elevate your hips above your knees to give them some more space and comfort. It’s important that however you sit, that your spine is straight, allowing the prana – the magical life energy – to move easily up and down.

Close your senses! Bhramari humming bee breath uses a special hand mudra called Shanmukhi mudra to close off the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, blocking all the sense off from the world while you breathe. Our thumbs close our ears, the index fingers the eyes, the middle fingers HALF-close the nose while the ring and pinky fingers close the mouth, with the top lip slightly over the bottom.

Long, slow inhale! With the nostrils OPEN, breathe in until you are full of breath. No need to rush or gasp, a calm, deep breath.

Long, slow exhale! With the nostrils half-closed using your middle fingers, exhale and HUM as loud as you can! Try and keep the exhale steady and the pitch of your hum even.

When you finish your exhale, inhale again and go for as many rounds as you like. When you’re finished, bring your hands to your lap and sit for a moment, witnessing the energy and vibrations present both in the body and in the universe around you. Witness any changes you might feel in the body or the mind, how you might feel different.

Practice with me here by video! Enter your email below for a free video tutorial on Bhramari humming bee breathwork.

Who shouldn’t practice Bhramari humming bee breath?

This is a pretty safe breathing technique so, in my opinion, THIS IS FOR EVERYONE!  Some studies even suggest that Bhramari breathwork is actually GOOD in pregnancy, helping to reduce pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Every one of my school classes has someone who is pregnant or someone who is on maternity leave, a standard when working in a kindergarten! If this applies to you or someone you know, check out some more breathing techniques which are suggested as safe for pregnant ladies here.

HOWEVER! This practice requires you to put pressure on your ears so it’s a no-no if you’ve got an ear infection.

 

When you should you practice Bhramari humming bee breath?

You can practice this breath ANYWHERE! From just three breaths, you will feel so much better so take a break at your desk when you’re lesson planning, or sit down when you get home from your commute or just take a break from the screen. Close your eyes, close your ears and practice Bhramari humming bee breath to reduce stress created from hectic lives.

I practice Bhramari humming bee breath EVERY MORNING to wake up my vocal chords, and focus my mind, allowing me to dive into my day as soon as I’m finished. I practice this at the end of my asana practice, my movement practice, so when I’m finished, I sit for a moment with the energy and the vibrations then OFF I GO, on my way!

 

 

Now you’ve tried, how do you feel? Let me know in the comments or message me directly with any feedback you have.

May you be happy and full of love

Lolli the Yogicorn xxx

 

 

Is this your first breathing practice? Check out my previous post on Anulom Vilom, an alternate nostril breathing technique! This is another awesome tool for chilling out, give it a try!