Breath Tool: Humming Bee Breath

If you are looking for a grounding and re-centering breathing practice, try the humming bee breath to release pent of energy, clear your mind, and promote focus.

Humming Bee Breath

This breath tool is also known as Bhramari Pranayama from ancient Indian yogic texts, which is fitting since bhramari translates as ‘big black bee’ in Sanskrit. Practitioners hum out during the exhalation, creating a sound not too dissimilar to that of a buzzing bee.

How to practice it:

• Find a comfortable seat on the ground or on a cushion

• Take a couple of conscious breaths to connect

• Lengthen your spine and soften your shoulders away from your ears

• Raise your hands towards your ears keeping your elbows level with your shoulders

• Plug your ears with your index fingers, keeping your shoulders relaxed

• Inhale deeply through your nose, drawing the breath up from your belly to the top of your chest

• Begin to hum the breath out with an ‘mmmmm’ sound all they way to the end of your exhalation.

• Repeat this cycles for 6 - 8 rounds, feeling the vibrations from within

• When you complete the final round, release your arms down and place your hands on your thighs, palms facing the ceiling

• Sit for a few minutes to observe your experience

Benefits:

• Activates the parasympathetic nervous system (it also promotes vagal toning enabling the body to self sooth)

• Focuses the mind

• Quiets negative thinking

• Relieves stress, agitation, and anger

It’s also a great technique to use with the children in your life it they need support in refocusing their energy.