Mumbai: Bollywood actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty has once again resorted to yoga to inspire her fans. In a recent Instagram video, she demonstrated ‘Bhramari Pranayama’ (Humming Bee Breath) and elaborated on its mental and physical health benefits.
In the video, she explained how to do the pranayama and instructed:
Close your ears and your eyes and shut yourself from the outside world. Look within. Touch your tongue to your upper palate. Take a deep breath in and you do the humming sound.”
Shilpa emphasised on the deep benefits of this exercise and called it one of the most powerful pranayamas. Her words were:
This Bhramari breathing is one of the most powerful pranayamas. It releases the neurotransmitters which help regulate emotions, reduces anxiety, alleviates depression, also helps with Alzheimer’s. Bhramari also increases the production of nitric oxide and increases the flow of oxygen to the brain. It improves blood circulation, regulating blood pressure, reduces inflammation which can also help with patients suffering with arthritis.”
Giving her personal opinion, she called it a surefire remedy and said, “I consider it a complete panacea.”
She further advised,
Do it for at least 5 to 11 rounds or more if you please.”
Science and experts support it
Health experts also support this practice. According to a report published by Healthline, Bhramari pranayama has been found to be effective in reducing stress, improving sleep quality and lowering blood pressure. A study published in the ‘International Journal of Physiology’ in 2017 found that its regular practice stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings the body into a relaxed state and reduces anxiety levels.
Significance of Bhramari in ancient yoga texts
Beyond science, Bhramari has deep roots in Indian spiritual texts. Texts such as ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ and ‘Gheranda Samhita’ mention it as helpful in purifying the nadis (energy channels) and reaching a deep state of meditation. Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutras’ consider pranayama as the fourth limb of Ashtanga yoga, which acts as a bridge between the body and the mind.
By shedding light on Bhramari pranayama, Shilpa Shetty not only reminded her fans of a simple daily practice but also placed it at the confluence of modern medical science and timeless Vedic wisdom. His post underlines that in today’s fast-paced world, natural and ancient techniques can play an important role in promoting mental well-being and overall health.
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