Bhramari Pranayama, or Bumble Bee Breathing, is a humming breath practice. In Sanskrit “Bhramara” means Bee.  Bumble Bee Breathing is a fun name for this breath and is also a fun breath to practice with kids and to associate with the Bumble Bee. This breath is a great way to de-stress, calm the mind and soothe the body. 

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing exercises are designed to support self-regulation, mindfulness   and brain break needs. 

Many times, kids can struggle at home and school with anger or frustration and they lack the coping strategies needed in those situations. They require tools to improve self-regulation. This can occur both at school and home. Children, like adults, experience worry and anxiety, fears and can be nervous in life situations and having simple strategies on hand can help them cope during the day. 

One way to do this is to use mindfulness strategies like deep breathing exercises. Children who practice mindfulness will find it much easier to focus and actively engage in the classroom. Practicing mindfulness  and breathing exercises can be very powerful for kids as they grow and navigate the world we live in. Students in the classroom who use mindfulness   will bring a sense of collective calm to the space as well making the learning environment more favorable for everyone.  Incorporating mindfulness can be fun ! 

This is where this Bumble Bee Breathing comes in.

How to Practice Bumble Bee Breathing

Time Needed: 1-2  minutes

Location:  A Quiet Place

Find a comfortable sitting position. 

Close your eyes. Let your mind and body settle.  

Take a deep breath in and pause.Then take a deep breath out. 

• Breathe in again. 
• This time, as you exhale, hum like a bumble-bee, with one long continuous tone per exhalation, keeping your mouth closed. 
• Repeat for 3-5 breaths 

Use this simple bee breath recording to playback to your kids to practice Bumble Bee Breathing.

Other Ways to Practice Bumble Bee Breathing:

1. Try again but this time, place your index fingers on your ears to cover them. As you breathe out and make the sound of the bumblebee, hear the different it makes when your ears are covered. You can also place your index fingers in your ears and your thumbs over each eye to cover them. 
2. Another way is to clasp your hands behind your back. As you make the humming bumblee sound, move your body in a circle. 

 Let me know if you used this breath and how your kids enjoyed it!

Try out some of my easy guided breathwork for kids: 

1. Just Breathe Meditation 
2. Hot Chocolate Deep Breathing  
3. Listening Meditation