I'll never forget the first time I tried Bhramari Pranayama, also known as humming bee breath. I was in India on my yoga teacher training course, deep in the jungle surrounded by monkeys swinging from the trees. There I was sitting with my fingers in my ears, humming loudly. I remember feeling remarkably silly, but now I know the benefits it brings I know it's worth getting past those feelings.
Humming bee breath is a practice that yogis have been doing for thousands of years. Named after the Indian black bumble bee, it involves making a humming sound as you exhale. It has a well-deserved reputation for creating instant calm, and relieving feelings of anxiety, panic and overwhelm.
