Bhramari murchha and Plavini Pranayama

Bhramara means a large back bumble-bee and this pranayama is so called because during exhalation a soft humming sound like that of a bumble-bee is made. The best time to perform it is in the silence and quiet of the night. Bhramari pranayama may be done in two stages, one lying one sitting.

TECHNIQUE

Here deep inhalation are done as in ujjayi pranayama and deep exhalations with a humming or murmuring sound. However, it is not advisable to hold the breath in this pranayama. Bhramari may also be done while performing sanmukha mudra without jalandhara bandha, as there is no retention of breath here.

SANMUKHI MUDRA

• Raise the hands to the face and the elbows to the level of the shoulders. Place the thumb-tips in the ear – holes to keep out external sounds. If the thumb-tips cause pain, reduce the pressure or push the tragi over the ear-holes and pores them in.

• Close the eyes. Bring the fore and middle fingers over the eyelids. Draw the upper lids down with the pads of the middle-fingertips and cover the remaining space above it with the pads of the forefingertips to keep out the light. Keep the eyeballs passive and receptive and press them gently with the fingers.

• Now press the nostrils with the ring-fingertips to narrow the nasal passages for slow, steady, rhythmic and subtle breathing. Keep the little fingers on the upper lips to feel the flow of breath.

• The sadhaka can hear the inner sound as the ears are closed by the thumbs. Through pressure on the eyeballs, he also sees various colours of dazzling light, sometimes steady like that of the sun. if it si difficult to hold sanmukhi mudra, then wrap a cloth round the head and over the ears and temples.

• After completing practice of bhramari pranayama, inhale, then do Savasana.

NOTE: Kumbhakas can be attempted, wrapping cloth round the head with jalandhara bandha in all the other pranayamas.

EFFECTS: The humming sound induces sleep and is good for persons suffering from insomnia.

MURCHHA PRANAYAMA: Murchha means a state of woon. This pranayama is done as in ujjayi and the internal retention is held till faintnes is felt. It makes the mind inactive and brings sensual tranquillity.

PLAVINI PRANAYAMA: Palvani means swimming or floating. Very little is known of this pranayama. It is said to help the sadhaka to float on water with ease.

Murchha and palvini pranayama are no longer in vogue.

References

The above mentioned information is added from the book called LIGHT ON PRANAYAMA by B.K.S. IYENGAR.