How to Calm Down

Do you have trouble meditating?  It can really be a challenge to stop all the chatter in the head and be quiet.  Try this simple breath practice first.  It is called Bhramari.  It is like the sound of the buzzing bee and they say it is good for insomnia (at a low pitch), the thyroid (medium pitch) and sinus infections (med to high pitch).  It activates the parasympathetic nervous system and is great for stress.  It also helps stop the mental looping that we do.  So it’s great for people that have trouble meditating.  Bhramari helps us turn the senses inward to the inner sounds.  This stills, calms, and sensitizes our 3^rd eye.  Because we are lengthening the exhale, it is great for calming anxiety and alleviating depression.

You can sit in a chair or on the floor on a cushion. Sit up tall with a straight spine.  Take a couple relaxing breaths to get in the mood.  Then inhale and as you exhale make a soft buzzing sound, like a honey bee.  Try it for several rounds.You can enhance the effects by using a hand gesture (mudra).  Place the thumbs on the cartilage by the ear to close the ears and lightly place the finger tips on the forehead and nose.  The pinky fingers just outside the nostrils, the ring fingers on the upper sides of the nose by the eyes, the middle fingers at the inside edges of the brow and the pointer finger on the forehead.  Do six rounds and then do six silent rounds.  See if you can still hear the buzzing.  Now try your meditation and just watch the regular breath in and out.Have a great stress free holiday season.  If you hear someone buzzing – you’ll know why.

Namasté, René 

Owner of Yoga Madre

Specializing in Yoga Therapy, Reiki, and Yoga Teacher Training (advanced studies)

www.yogamadre.com