The secret life of bee's breath
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©Nicole Bratt
“
If the heat goes over 104 degrees in South Carolina, you have to go to bed. It is practically the law. Some people might see it as a shiftless behavior, but really, when we’re lying down from the heat, we are giving our minds time to browse around for new ideas, wondering at the true aim of life, and generally letting things pop into our heads that need to. In the sixth grade there was a boy in my class who had a steel plate in his skull and was always complaining how test answers could never get through to him. Our teacher would say, ‘Give me a break.’
In a way, though, the boy was right. Every human being on the face of the earth has a steel plate in his head, but if you lie down now and then and get as still as you can, it will slide open like elevator doors, letting in all the secret thoughts that have been standing around so patiently, pushing the button for a ride to the top. The real troubles in life happen when those hidden doors stay closed for too long. But that’s just my opinion.
”
Excerpted from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
(Another highly recommended book for your summer reading list! :)
©Nicole Bratt
How to practice Bhramari Pranayama (aka Bee’s Breath)
Sit or lie down comfortably.
Breathe slowly in and out through your nose for several mindful breaths. Bottom teeth should be slightly separated from the top teeth; lips gently touching. Relax your tongue at the roof of your mouth/behind your front teeth.
When you are ready to begin Bhramari, inhale through your nose, and then slowly exhale while you steadily hum.
The hum can be low, mid, or high pitched. Feel free to experiment with what feels the most pleasing to your mind-body.
Options are to close your eyes and/or plug your ears. You can even do a silent version (hum silently in your mind) if you are in a public setting!
Repeat 5-10 times, and then sit quietly and breathe regularly and observe the effects of the practice on your mind and body. Repeat, if desired.
Bhramari breath can be a wonderful way to lengthen your exhale, quiet your mind, and stimulate your Vagus nerve and therefore your parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”). Even kids often love this practice!
Enjoy!
Nicole