“Fill in the air rapidly, making the sound of a male bee, practise retention and again exhale it, making the sound of a female bee humming. The great yogis by a constant practice of this feel an indescribable joy in their hearts.”
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 2.68
Bumblebee Breathing (see opposite) stimulates and purifies your throat chakra, your energetic centre of communication and the seat of your udana breath. Yoga texts explain that this exercise frees your mind from inner “chatter” and the urge to gossip, prepares you to discover your true voice and equips you to speak in a more measured way – all important properties of your udana energy. With practice, this breathing exercise is said to also improve your concentration, memory and confidence, and you may find that it develops in you a greater willingness to listen and an ability to communicate at a more profound level. Bumblebee Breathing also brings an experience of great inner peace.
This humming breathing exercise is recommended if you are a singer, actor, teacher or public speaker – or if you would simply like to improve your speaking and communication skills for use at work, at home and in social situations. Yogis who practise the exercise on a regular basis report that their speaking voice sounds sweeter and more melodious.
If, when starting this exercise, you have trouble making the bee-like sound, begin by practising the humming exhalation on its own. Simply inhale deeply and repeat a word that ends with an “m”, such as “palm”, “calm”, “hum” or “OM”. Draw out the final “m” sound for as long as you can. Humming as you breathe out helps you to regulate your breathing pattern and encourages an extended exhalation, both important components of the exercise opposite.
On beginning this exercise, you may feel a slight increase in body temperature, as it quickens your blood circulation. If you are prone to throat problems, note whether regular practice fosters an improvement. Start by choosing a comfortable sitting position (see pages 35–7).
1 Sit with your back straight, then make sure that your abdomen and chest are unobstructed and free from tension. Rest the palms of your hands on their respective knees.
2 Gently close your mouth and lips, then tighten the back of your throat. Try to remember to keep your head erect and your neck muscles relaxed.
3 Inhale strongly through both nostrils, vibrating your soft palate and making a snoring sound that energizes your throat. Some people liken this to the sound you make when you are clearing your throat. Yoga texts compare it to the buzzing of a large black bumblebee, or a male bee.
4 Hold your breath for a few moments – for as long as you feel comfortable doing so. During this brief breath retention, think about the upward-flying udana energy in your body.
5 When you are ready, exhale through both nostrils, making the high-pitched humming sound, “MMM”. Ancient yoga texts compare this sound to the buzzing of a small honey bee – or a female bee. Try to exhale all the air from your lungs.
6 Repeat the exercise 3–5 times, feeling the vibration in your throat, mouth, cheeks and lips. You may like to experiment by buzzing at different pitches to see how they affect your energy.
7 After you have finished, close your eyes and breathe silently. Sit quietly for 3–10 minutes, noticing the effect the humming has had on your mind.