Bhramari Pranayama is the best breathing exercise for meditation. It has immediate relaxing effect on the brain. If it is practiced regularly, mental stress, fatigue and high blood pressure reduces.
‘Bhramari’ is a Sanskrit word which is derived from ‘Bhramar’ the black Indian bumble bee. It describes the characteristic humming sound which is produced while exhaling in this breathing exercise.
Who can practice?
Every body can practice bhramari including small children, old age people or patients. It is very easy and significant breathing exercise for everyone. It is very beneficial for pregnant women.
How to practice?
Sit in a suitable relaxed posture like Padmasana (lotus pose) or Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose). Cover your ears by pressing tragus with the help of thumbs of your hands. Place your index fingers on the forehead and let the remaining 3 fingers close your eyes. Inhale through both the nostrils, taking a real slow deep breath. Keep your mouth closed and begin slowly exhaling, making humming sound of a bee like “hmmmm”.
While practicing Bhramari keep reciting “OM” mentally and concentrate your mind on Agnya Chakra (between eyebrows).
Important Vow while practicing Bhramari
This Pranayama should be done with the thought that your individual consciousness merges with the divine cosmic consciousness. Your mind should be full of the thought that divine bliss is descending on you, that deep divine wisdom fills your entire being. Exercising this Pranayama with such thought will endow you with divine light and you will be able to meditate effortlessly.
Duration
Practice this 11 to 21 times daily, but do not strain yourself, take a break whenever you need.
Best time for practice
It gives best results after practicing all pranayama, especially after anulom-vilom. Though Bhramari can be practiced anytime whenever an individual needs, feels stress, fatigue or tired. It can also be performed before sleep which results a peaceful and sound sleep .
Bhramari Pranayama Video by Swami Ramdev ji
Effects of Bhramari in the body (Scientific explanations)
When the natural frequency of vibration is equal to forced frequency then resonance will occur provided no external interference. The vibration of thinking of a human body can be controlled if it can be resonated.
In a Bhamri Pranayam, the ear is closed by thumb, eye is blocked by fingers and forehead is pressed to vibrate with higher amplitude. So the resonance of the brain’s metaphysical thinking is arrested and the concentration of mind is enhanced.
Brahmari forms vibrations in the brain. By these vibrations the cerebral cortex sends impulses directly to the hypothalamus, which controls the ‘Pituitary’ gland, the master of all glands.
Bhramari Benefits
- It is tremendous breathing exercise for meditation and helpful for Kundalini Awakening.
- The mind becomes calm and peaceful. It helps in spiritual enhancement of an individual. It is beneficial in mental tension, agitation, high blood pressure, heart disease etc.
- “With regular practice of Bhramai bliss arises in the yogi’s heart” – (Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
- It enlivens the practitioners looks, improves the glamor of the face.
- Modern medical science has proved, if Bhramari practiced regularly during pregnancy it keeps the endocrinal system regulated to maintain the pregnancy successfully and may facilitate easy and trouble-free childbirth.
Bhramari Pranayama Cures
- Excellent breathing exercise for meditation, the mind concentration enhances.
- Mental tension, agitation, hypertension, migraine, paralysis, high blood pressure and heart diseases are positively affected.
- Helps to cure migraine and paralysis.
- It has immediate positive effect on ears, nose, eyes and mouth.
Precautions
Initially it should be practiced under guidance of experienced yoga teacher.