Bee's Breath

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Instructions

  • Find a comfortable seat on the floor with a cushion or blanket to comfortably elevate the hips

  • Back is tall and the shoulders are relaxed. 

  • You can also keep your fingers in Shanmukhi mudra (hand position) while doing this pranayama. To sit in Shanmukhi mudra, gently place your thumbs on the ear cartilage, index fingers on the forehead just above the eyebrows, middle fingers on eyes, ring fingers on nostrils and the little fingers on corners of your lips.

  • Start by taking a few natural breaths, and close your eyes. Then, keeping the lips lightly sealed, inhale through the nostrils. Exhaling, making a ‘hmmm’ sound at the back of the throat—like the humming of a bee. Repeat: Inhale through the nose, then hum like a buzzing bee as you exhale.

  • Continue by inhaling as needed and exhaling with this sound for several minutes. 

  • Allow your breath to return to normal and observe any changes.

Modifications

  • Sit on the edge of a chair with feet flat on the floor.

Contraindications

  • Best to practice on an empty stomach.

  • Bee’s Breath should not be practiced by pregnant or menstruating women. It is also contraindicated for individuals with extremely high blood pressure, epilepsy, chest pain, or an active ear infection.

  • Bee’s Breath should not be practiced in a supine position (lying down).

Type of pose

  • Pranayama

Parts of Body Benefited

  • Calms and quiets the mind

  • Releases cerebral tension

  • Stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, supporting their proper functioning

  • Soothes the nerves

  • Relieves stress and anxiety

  • Dissipates anger

  • Lowers blood pressure

  • Bolsters the health of the throat.

  • Strengthens and improves the voice

  • Supports the healing of bodily tissues

  • Induces sound sleep

Other strategies for emotional support:

Anxiety

Depression

Other poses that cultivate:

Clarity

Focus

Grounding

Letting Go

Presence

Other poses from:

Breathwork

Hatha Yoga

Yoga