The Science of Happiness

Happiness Break: A Humming Technique To Calm Your Nerves, with Priyanka Gupta


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Discover Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama), a soothing breathing technique that uses gentle humming to promote relaxation and mental calm.

It’s important to take a moment to pause and take a long, slow exhale as we navigate life. In our podcast series, "Breathe Away Anxiety," we explore ancient breathing techniques alongside cutting-edge research that reveals the powerful effects of slow, controlled breathing on our mental and physical well-being. We also share Happiness Break meditations to guide you through these science-backed methods, helping you reduce anxiety and cultivate calm in your everyday life.

Summary: Priyanka Gupta guides us through Bhrmari Pranayama, also known as Humming Bee Breath. Regular practice of this calming technique has been shown to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and support cardiovascular health.

Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/549v3w62

Time: 15 minutes, or as long as it feels right.

How To Do This Practice:

  1. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for 3-4 seconds.
  2. Exhale for 6-8 seconds, making a gentle humming sound (like a buzzing bee) as you breathe out.
  3. Adjust the timing of your inhale and exhale to find a rhythm that feels comfortable for you.
  4. Continue the practice for as long as feels right, focusing on the sound and sensation of your breath.
  5. Note: This version of Bhramari Pranayama, practiced without specific gestures (mudras), was studied by Dr. Gunjan Trivedi.

    Guest: Priyanka Gupta is a yoga and meditation instructor.
    Learn more about Priyanka:
    https://www.yogawithpriyanka.ca
    https://www.youtube.com/yogawithpriyanka
    https://www.instagram.com/yogawithpriyanka
    https://linktr.ee/yogawithpriyanka

    Related Science of Happiness episodes:
    The Science of Humming (Bhramari Pranayama): https://tinyurl.com/549v3w62
    How Breathe Away Anxiety (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/4jyvkj4t
    How To Tune Out The Noise: https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh 

    Related Happiness Break episodes:
    A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/3dtwyk44
    A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr

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