Bee Breathing (Bhramari Pranayama) Technique
Bee Breathing (Bhramari pranayama) is an ancient Indian yogic breathwork technique that soothes the nervous system, calms the mind, and provides instant relief from agitation, anger, and anxiety. This easy-to-practice breathing technique also boosts self-confidence.
The Bhramari pranayama breathing technique derives its name from the black Indian bee called Bhramari. This breathwork technique is effective in instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of agitation, frustration, or anxiety, and get rid of anger to a great extent. A simple technique, Bee Breathing can be practiced anywhere—at work or home, and is an instant option to de-stress yourself.
Benefits of the Bee Breathing Technique
The practice of the Bee Breathing technique brings many benefits, such as:
It instantly calms the mind
It boosts confidence
It frees from a slight headache and migraine
It helps regulate the body temperature (gives relief when you are feeling hot)
It improves memory and concentration
It strengthens the voice
It brings considerable instant relief from hypertension, high blood pressure, agitation, anger, and anxiety
It can be used as an excellent preparatory step for a session of meditation, as it calms the mind
The Science Behind Bhramari Pranayama
Bee Breathing (Bhramari pranayama) calms and soothes the nerves, especially those around the brain and the forehead. The humming sound vibrations produced during the exhalation have a natural calming effect.
Procedure
Sit up straight in a comfortable posture, with your eyes closed.
Observe the sensations in your body and the quietness within.
Place your palms on your ears. Place your index fingers on the cartilage.
Take a deep breath in and, as you breathe out, gently press the cartilage. You can keep the cartilage pressed, or press it in and out with your fingers while making a loud humming sound like a bee.
Breathe in again and continue the same pattern 3-4 times.
Demo
For a brief, simple, and effective demonstration of the Bee Breathing (Bhramari pranayama) technique, watch the following video: