Bhramari Pranayama or Humming bee Breath

Introduction

The word "Bhramari" comes from the sanskrit name bhramar which is Humming black bee. The practice of bhramari breathing calms the mind, reduces the stress or fight - flight response. It reduces cerebral tensions, anger, anxiety, insomnia, The blood pressure is also lowered. This pranayama is very effective in speeding up the healing of body tissues and may be practiced after surgeries.

The purpose of the Bhramari breathing is to reduce throat ailments. This may have positive effect on the endocrine glands specially thyroids and nervous system. In ancient text of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swami Swatmaram says that person becomes Lord of Yogis and mind gets absorbed in the supreme bliss. It has a calming effect on entire nervous system, especially it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces muscular relaxation and is very effective in stress management. So this pranayama is very effective for relaxation of body and mind.

In this pranayama one needs to create a sound while exhaling and inhaling in the throat. The sound is similar to chanting of Om, especially the long mmm.. in Omkar. The sound should be deep, steady and smooth

Technique

Stage 1: Preparation

Sit in a comfortable meditation asana. The spinal cord should be erect, the head straight and the hands resting on the knees in chin or jnana mudra.

The ideal posture for this practice is padmasana or siddha / siddha yoni asana.

The position of nadanusandhana asana, which is used in nada yoga, may also be utilized as follows.

Stage 2: Body Posture

Sit on a rolled blanket with the heels drawn up to the buttocks. Place the feet flat on the floor with knees raised and the elbows resting on the knees.

Close the eyes and relax the whole body for a short time. The lips should remain gently closed with the teeth slightly separated throughout the practice. This allows the sound vibration to be heard and felt more distinctly in the brain. Make sure the jaws are relaxed.

Raise the arms sideways and bend the elbows, bringing the hands to the ears. Use the index or middle finger to plug the ears. The flaps of the ears may be pressed without inserting the fingers.

If the position of nadanusandhana has been assumed, plug the ears with the thumbs, resting the other four fingers on the head.

Bring the awareness to the centre of the head, where ajna chakra is located, and keep the body absolutely still.

Stage 3: Breathe Awareness

Breathe in through the nose. Exhale slowly and in a controlled manner while making a deep, steady humming sound like that of the black bee.

The humming sound should be smooth, even and continuous for the duration of the exhalation.

The sound should be soft and mellow, making the front of the skull reverberate.

This is one round.

At the end of exhalation, breathe in deeply and repeat the process.

Perform 5 rounds.

AWARENESS:

Physical – on the humming sound within the head and on making the breath steady and even.

Spiritual – on ajna chakra.

DURATION:

5 to 10 rounds is sufficient in the beginning, then slowly increase to 10 to 15 minutes. In cases of extreme mental tension or anxiety, or when used to assist the healing process, practice for up to 30 minutes.

TIME OF PRACTICE:

The best time to practice is late at night or in the early morning as there are fewer external noises to interfere with internal perception. Practising at this time awakens psychic sensitivity. However, bhramari may be practiced at any time to relieve mental tension, providing the surroundings are peaceful.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS:

Bhramari should not be performed while lying down. People suffering from severe ear infections should not practice this pranayama until the infection has cleared up. Those with heart disease must practice without breath retention.

BENEFITS:

Bhramari relieves stress and cerebral tension, alleviating anger, anxiety and insomnia, and reducing blood pressure. It speeds up the healing of body tissue and may be practiced after operations. It strengthens and improves the voice and eliminates throat ailments.

ADVANCED PRACTICE:

Once the basic form of bhramari has been mastered, jalandhara and moola bandhas may be incorporated into the practice in conjunction with internal breath retention. Do not strain when performing kumbhaka, one or two seconds is sufficient at first. The duration may be increased gradually as the technique is mastered. When the head has returned to the upright position and the ears are plugged, slowly exhale producing the humming sound. As an alternative practice, only more strongly. In this way, a humming sound can be produced on inhalation as well as exhalation.

PRACTICE NOTE:

Bhramari pranayama induces a meditative state by harmonizing the mind and directing the awareness inwards. The vibrations of the sounds create a soothing effect on the mind and nervous system. It is also an important aspect of nada yoga which uses subtle sound vibrations to attune the practitioners with their true nature.

Note: The word bhramari means ‘bee’ and the practice is so called because a sound is produced which imitates that of the black bee.

Source: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.