भ्रामरी प्राणायाम
Bhramari — the Humming Bee
bhramarī = the black bee — the bee-sound breath
Breathe out as a soft hum and feel the sound vibrate through your whole head.
In the simplest words
Close your lips, breathe in, and then hum like a bee while breathing out. Cover your ears with your fingers and the buzzing feels like it fills your whole head — it's very calming and quite fun.
What it is
In bhramari you breathe in normally and breathe out as a long, gentle hum — mmmmm — with the lips closed, so the sound stays inside and vibrates through the skull like a bee in a flower. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika names it among the classical kumbhakas and prizes the sweetness of the inner sound. Ears softly closed with the fingers, the outside world disappears and only the hum remains; even one minute of it can loosen a knot of irritation or worry. It is also the friendliest pranayama for children, who usually love it instantly.
Where it comes from: Classical hatha yoga — one of the eight kumbhakas of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (II.68), which hums on the in-breath as well; the exhale-only hum taught here is the modern (Bihar School) form.
Before you practise — health first
Skip it during an active ear infection, and keep the hum soft — never push pressure into the ears or head. Lying down, hum without closing the ears.
How to practise
Sit tall, shoulders soft, lips gently closed, teeth slightly apart.
If you like, close the ear-flaps with your index fingers or thumbs (shanmukhi style).
Breathe in slowly and fully through the nose.
Breathe out very slowly with a soft, steady hum — feel it vibrate in the head and chest.
Let the hum be smooth and low — sweetness matters more than loudness.
Repeat 5–7 times, then sit for a moment in the silence that follows.
Practise now
Breathe with the circle
The circle will grow as you breathe in and soften as you breathe out. Follow it.
Round 1 of 6
Sessions of a minute or more are added to your sadhana log — stored only on this device. Stop whenever your body asks.
When & how long
Evening and bedtime are its natural hours; 5–10 rounds. The silence after the last hum is part of the practice — stay in it.
What it is kept for
Traditionally turned to for anger, restlessness and sleeplessness; many practitioners use it before japa to make the mind's surface still.