Connect to your truest inner nature and intuition with Brahmari Pranayama or Honeybee Breath. This is a great breathing technique to calm the mind, improving concentration and memory. You can practice this before meditation, throughout your asana practice, when you need to release stress and negative emotions, or just before going to bed. With the full moon rising Tuesday, September 1st in intuitive Pisces, this is the perfect complement to harmonize the fertile energy of the moon.
To practice Brahmari Pranayama, come to find a comfortable seat, lifting tall through the spine, shoulders relaxed down the back. Using the finger tips, cover the eyelids to create a dark room. Using the thumbs, cover the eardrums to block out any noise. Bringing the tip of tongue to touch the teeth or uvula, as you exhale, make an audible “Mmmmmmmm” sound like the M in OM. This should be for the entire exhale. Continue for 3-7 breaths. Release the hands down to the lap and bring your awareness to your Ajna Chakra or third eye. Feel the Prana or lifeforce energy radiating throughout your body and balancing your nadis, or energy channels. You can also integrate this pranayama throughout your yoga asana practice. It is a delight in balasana, a.k.a. child’s pose.
When practicing Brahmari Pranayama, the pineal gland, vagus nerve and adrenal glands are stimulated. The pineal gland is also called the third eye, or Ajna Chakra, which increases intuition and awareness. The vagus nerve regulates the function of our organs, and when vibrated through Brahmari Pranayama it signals the body to move into rest, digest and reproduce mode. The adrenal glands help to detox the body, balancing the immune system. When all of these systems are benefitted, the body is encouraged to heal, and serotonin and melatonin levels come into balance. There are so many benefits to practicing Brahmari Pranayama. To maximize the energy of the upcoming full moon, set aside some time for the bumble bee breath, grounding and connection with the Ajna Chakra.
The full moon rises in watery Pisces on Tuesday September 1st. The full moon is a great time for fulfilling and manifesting your tasks that have been underway the past few weeks. You might have a checklist of things to accomplish, or maybe you’re goals are more long term for improving your emotional, spiritual or psychological wellbeing. During the full moon in Pisces, we might find heightened sensitivity, creativity, intuition, and emotions all around. It opposes the sun in hardworking and devoted Virgo, reminding us to balance and embrace our dreamy, whimsical, and romantic outlook in life. Pisces governs the feet and pineal gland, which are linked to the root (Muladhara) and third eye (Ajna) chakras respectively. Interestingly enough, both Pisces and Ajna Chakra relate to the subconscious, psychic energy, or inter celestial connection to the mystery and all there is. Here are a few suggestions of how you can optimally harmonize with the benevolent energy of the Pisces full moon:
- Connect with the deity Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and symbol of grounding. Chant the Ganesha mantra, “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha,” which translates to “I bow to you, the remover of obstacles.” It relates to the root chakra and feeling secure within yourself.
- Practice child’s pose, garland pose, or lotus pose with abdominal breathing or yogic 3 part breath to ground yourself. After you feel rooted, connected to the mother earth and divine, begin practicing Brahmari Pranayama. Allow space afterward for meditation on Ajna Chakra.
- Find a creative outlet to express letting go of things that are no longer serving you or how you can be forgiving. Maybe you can journal, write a poem, play music, dance, sing, draw/paint a picture, make a video, or photograph a picture.
- Make time to get your feet and hands in the dirt. Maybe you take a trip to the park and sit under your favorite tree. Tend to your garden. Walk barefoot outside or go for a hike. Spend time connecting to Mother Earth. At the end of the day, have a nice soak in an epsom salt bath. Try essential oils of rosemary for its memory & concentration enhancing benefits or sandalwood to clear and balance the third eye.
