Hatha YogaBee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama)
Bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma
On the exhale, you make a soft hum, like the buzzing of a bee. The vibration quickly calms the mind.
Bhramari, the bee breath, is the only pranayama in the app that uses your voice: on a long exhale you hum softly with your mouth closed, and the sound resonates as a vibration in your head and chest. The name comes from the Sanskrit word "bhramara," the black bee.
It's a beginner technique, set in the app to 4 seconds in and 8 seconds out. The practice is quiet and calming, and people often keep it for late in the day.
How to do it
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes. You can gently close your ears with your thumbs.
- Inhale through your nose.
- As you exhale with your mouth closed, make a steady “mmm” hum.
- Feel the vibration in your head and chest. Continue with the rhythm of the pacer.
More detail
Sit tall with your shoulders relaxed, lips closed and teeth slightly apart, which makes the vibration easier to feel. Inhale through your nose calmly and silently, and on the exhale draw out an even "mmm." Pick a pitch that feels comfortable; a low tone is usually easier to sustain to the end of the exhale.
You can gently cover your ears with your thumbs so you hear the hum from inside, but don't press on the cartilage. If the sound wobbles or cuts out toward the end, your exhale is still too long, so shorten it. Don't practice bhramari if you have an ear infection.
Benefits
Quickly eases anxiety and irritation, helps you fall asleep
Cautions
- Ear inflammation
This site is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have pain, an injury, a chronic condition, or are pregnant, check with a qualified professional before practicing.
Questions
Do I have to cover my ears? No, it's optional. With your ears closed you hear the sound from within, which makes it easier to stay with the vibration.
Why do I feel dizzy? Most often the exhale is too long or the hum too loud. Hum more softly, shorten the count and pause with normal breathing.
How is bhramari different from ujjayi? In Ujjayi Breath, which has a sound in the throat, the noise comes from air passing through the slightly narrowed glottis, while in bhramari it's your voice you hear on the exhale.