When we are anxious, on the physical level we begin to breathe shallowly using the upper part of the lungs. Our inhales and exhales become short and sharp. Contrarily, when we are relaxed, we breathe slower using the diaphragm. The lengthening of the exhalation (compared to the inhalation) maintains a healthy level of carbon dioxide in the blood, which helps us relax. Bhramari pranayama, also known as Humming Bee breath, helps to reduce the level of anxiety and relax. In this article, we will share with you what Bhramari pranayama is, what its benefits are, and how to perform it.

What Is Pranayama?

‘Prana‘ is the Sanskrit word for breath, “life force”, or “vital principle”. ‘Ayāma‘ can be translated as “the suspension of breath” or “control”. Thus, “pranayama” can be translated as “control over vital energy”.

Most often, pranayama is associated with breathing exercises that have a beneficial effect on the body, saturating it with oxygen. However, yogis use this technique not only for the purpose of improving their physical bodies but also as a way of controlling the flow of prana (vital energy).

Prana is the vital energy that fills everything in the Universe. It saturates all living things with life, providing physical bodies with strength. Breathing allows us to absorb prana and control its flow. It is believed that the basis of the entire existence consists of “energy” and “consciousness”, which are very closely interrelated. Prana gives energy to the forming of consciousness.

According to Patanjali, pranayama is the length of time between inhalation and exhalation. During this period, the time of assimilation of prana increases, the fluctuations of the mind decrease and the perception expands. But how is it possible to reduce the excitation of the brain by holding the breath? This is due to the fact that nerve impulses in some parts of the body are suspended, and the structure of brain waves is harmonized. Therefore, pranayama is one of the most important elements of Hatha yoga.

What Is Humming Bee Breath?

This pranayama derives its name from the black Indian bee called Bhramari. Bhramari = type of Indian bee; pranayama = breathing technique. This pranayama is named so because of the humming sound produced at the back of the throat during the practice – like the gentle humming of a bee.

The Benefits of the Humming Bee Breath

Bhramari pranayama, or Humming Bee Breath, is a safe and easy-to-learn practice that has tremendous therapeutic potential. Here are the benefits of performing Humming Bee Breath:

• It has a beneficial effect on the thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus glands;
• Calms the nervous system;
• Relieves tension and anxiety;
• Helps you fall asleep quickly, relieves insomnia;
• Makes the voice melodic, strengthens the ligaments;
• Helps with diseases of the throat and larynx, as well as nasal congestion.
• Relieves headaches and migraines.
• Improves memory and concentration.
• Reduces blood pressure.
• Vibrations that occur in the body help the cells to remove toxins.
• Builds confidence.
• It prepares you for deep meditation.

How to Perform Bhramari Pranayama?

The technique of performing Bhramari Pranayama is quite simple and does not require special training. It can be performed at any time of the day and even after having a meal. Also, it has no age restrictions.

Instructions:

1. Sit in any position that is comfortable for you with a straight back and relaxed shoulders.
2. Close the lips, keeping the teeth slightly apart.
3. Bring the tip of your tongue to the space behind the upper front teeth. Maintain this position throughout the practice, frequently checking to ensure that the jaw remains relaxed.
4. Close each ears with the thumbs, place the index fingers at the midpoint of the forehead – just above the eyebrows – and reach the middle, ring, and pinky fingers across the eyes so that the tips of these fingers press very gently against the bridge of the nose.  
5. Take a long, deep breath in through the nostrils, bringing the breath all the way into the belly.
6. Drop the chin to the chest and begin to exhale slowly, making a steady, low-pitched ‘hmmm’ sound at the back of the throat – like the humming of a bee. Focus on making the sound soft, smooth, and steady.
7. Keep the body completely still and bring your awareness to the center of the head – to your Third eye chakra – letting the sound fill the head and spread to the body.
8. At the end of the exhalation, slowly straighten your neck as you inhale again through the nostrils to repeat the process.

This is one breathing cycle. Start mastering this pranayama with 7 breathing cycles and gradually increase to 20-30.

After performing the Humming Bee breath practice, do not rush to open your eyes, stay in a meditative state, observe the sensations in the body, sounds, and smells in the surrounding space.

Additional tips:

• This pranayama does not require much effort, so you should never feel a lack of air during the humming process. If you still feel a lack of air, shorten the duration of the exhalation.
• During the practice, keep your body relaxed – there should be no unpleasant or painful sensations, tension, or tremor of the limbs, loss of balance, or emotional anxiety.
• If you find it difficult to relax in a sitting position, then try to lie down, but keep in mind that in a lying position, this technique will have a strong hypnotic effect.
• Instead of “M-m-m-m-m”, you can say “A-U-M” or “OM”.
• During the hum, you can hold the Mula Bandha (Root Lock).

Warning

It is not recommended to practice Bhramari pranayama for those people who have an ear infection or epilepsy.

Along with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, allergies top the list of ailments that are difficult to treat. Western medicine is focused on relieving the symptoms with antihistamines and avoiding contact with allergens. The oldest health science on the planet – Ayurveda – believes that allergies occur due to an imbalance of doshas and impaired energy circulation, which regulate the work of the body and mind. On contrary to Western medicine, Ayurveda suggests not to remove the symptoms, but to establish the cause of the disease. In this article, we created a quick ayurvedic guide to allergies that will introduce you to prevention measures and healing principles that will help you take your allergy under control and better understand its cause.

Ayurvedic Guide To Allergies

The Causes Of Allergies

To understand the causes of allergies or take preventive measures, you need to know your dosha and be able to determine the current dosha imbalance. If you don’t know what dosha is and how to find out if you are a Pitta, Vata, or Kapha dosha, take our Ayurvedic Body Type Quiz.

According to Ayurveda, allergy can be a result of the following:

• Weak Agni (digestive fire);
• Ama accumulation (toxins);
• Imbalanced Dosha;
• Weak immune system;
• Amount of allergens in the body.

According to Ayurveda, an allergy is the result of a particular substance (the allergen) aggravating a specific dosha. Ayurveda classifies allergies according to dosha, depending on which one(s) are triggered in each individual case. However, it’s possible for more than one dosha to be triggered.

Let’s look at how Ayurveda explains seasonal allergies.

Spring Allergies

Spring is the most difficult time for allergy sufferers: fatigue, runny nose, tearfulness, etc. According to Ayurveda, these are the signs of excess Kapha dosha.

If you suffer from spring allergies, here are some tips for preventing or reducing the symptoms:

• Jala Neti – a well-known yogic practice of nose washing;
• add these spices and seasonings to food: cayenne pepper, basil, cumin, cardamom, sage, turmeric, cinnamon;
• drink warm tea with honey, ginger, and lemon;
• take Punarnava powder – it very effectively clears excess Kapha from the chest and stomach and promotes proper fluid balance in the tissues;
• practice yoga;
• dry sauna.

Summer Allergies

When allergies occur in the summer, their main source is often an imbalance of Pitta dosha. Typical symptoms for summer allergies are skin rashes, burning, or reddening eyes. Heat can provoke inflammation of the respiratory tract and manifest as bronchitis or acute rhinitis.

To soothe Pitta dosha, Ayurveda recommends:

• taking cooling herbs and spices such as coriander, amla, neem;
• using purified ghee oil;
• massage with cooling coconut oil.

Fall Allergies

When the air becomes cold and dry, Vata dosha comes out of the balance. Allergic symptoms at this time are a headache, dry cough, sneezing, muscle pain, and dry eyes. To calm the air element, take care of humidification and heat.

Recommendations for fall allergies:

• drink warm teas and beverages;
• use Ashwagandha, a powerful immunomodulator that can help the immune system cope with the “challenge of nature”;
• do oil massages or self-massage with sesame oil or Ashwagandha oil.

Ayurvedic Guide To Vata, Pitta, And Kapha Related Allergies

This Ayurvedic guide is based on allergy classification according to the dosha dominance:

• Vata related allergy
• Pitta related allergy
• Kapha related allergy

Vata related allergies

People who suffer from this kind of allergies are usually allergic to dry, bitter, spicy, and astringent foods, raw foods, cold foods, and beans. Their condition usually worsens during cold dry and windy weather, excess stress, and overactivity.

Common symptoms of Vata related allergies:

• Bloating of stomach, flatulence, burping, abdominal pain, and discomfort.
• Accompanying symptoms can be nerve pains, tingling sensations in limbs, insomnia, twitching of muscles, bone aches, and pains in joints, intestinal colic.
• As a rule, this kind of allergic reaction may start suddenly with asthma, dizziness, giddiness, tinnitus, earaches, pains, or headaches.
• Usually, such people are also prone to constipation, anxiety, restlessness.

Recommendations for Vata related allergies:

• Avoid foods like potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, beans, bitter, and astringent foods.
• Avoid cold, dry, and windy weather.
• Take a Vata pacifying diet which includes mild sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
• Take Ayurvedic herbs for Vata related allergies such as Trikatu, Triphala, Ashwagandha, Guggulu, Dashmool tea, Basil.
• Drink Ayurvedic teas containing ginger, cumin, lemon, and orange.
• For wheezing phases, make a ginger tea and sip it every few minutes.
• Use hot Mahanarayan oil. You can mix a few drops of this oil in hot water and sip every now and then.

Yoga for Vata related allergies:

• Sun salutations;
• forwards bends;
• extension poses.

Pranayama for Vata related allergies:

• alternate nostril breathing;
• right nostril breathing (Surya Bheda).

Antihistamines for Vata related allergies:

Ashvagandha

Pitta related allergies

Pitta aggravating factors are spicy, sour, and salty foods along with citric fruits, fermented food articles, hot weather, and extreme sunny conditions. People with such allergic reactions usually have very sensitive skin and can be allergic to certain fabrics, metals, synthetic materials, etc.

Common symptoms of Pitta related allergies:

• red rashes;
• urticaria;
• allergic dermatitis;
• eczema;
• redness of the skin with itching and pustule formation;
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• acidity;
• diarrhea;
• burning and redness of the eyes.

Recommendations for Pitta related allergies:

• Avoid spicy, salty, and sour foods.
• Concentrate more on bitter and astringent tastes like green vegetables and salads.
• Make sure cooked food is eaten at all times and this is far better for your condition than raw food.
• Avoid direct contact with the sun and extremely hot weather.
• Take Ayurvedic herbs for Pitta related allergies such as Shatavari, Guduchi, Triphala, Brahmi, Neem, Manjistha.
• For skin-related conditions, Neem and Manjistha is a very good combination. Both these herbs have blood cleansing properties.
• Drink herbal ayurvedic teas with fennel, ginger, and saffron.
• Sandalwood and rose are good for external applications.
• Take coriander juice.
• Drink coconut water.

Yoga for Pitta related allergies:

• Moon salutation;
• Spinal twists.

Pranayama for Pitta related allergies:

• Chandra Bheda;
• Shitali Pranayama;
• Sheetkari Pranayama;
• Alternate nostril breathing.

Antihistamines for Pitta related allergies:

Shatavari

Kapha related allergies

Kapha aggravating factors like sweet, sour, salty foods including dairy foods, some veggies, and fruits may lead to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions of this nature usually worsen during cold, rainy, and cloudy season.

Common symptoms of Kapha related allergies:

• runny nose;
• mucus accumulation;
• hay fever;
• congestive disorders;
• colds;
• coughs;
• sinusitis;
• asthma;
• water retention;
• heaviness in the abdomen;
• sleeping disorders.

Recommendations for Kapha related allergies:

• Avoid cold, heavy, and stagnant foods like dairy products.
• Avoid excess of sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
• Focus more on bitter, spicy, and astringent tastes.
• Avoid cold, rainy, wet weather.
• Take Ayurvedic herbs for Kapha related allergies such as Trikatu, Pippali, Guggulu, Triphala, Basil.
• For symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, and congestion, Jala Neti (nasal wash) is very beneficial.

Yoga for Kapha related allergies:

Sun salutation.

Pranayama for Kapha related allergies:

• Kapalabhati;
• Right nostril breathing;
• Ujjayi Pranayama.

Antihistamines for Kapha related allergies:

Pippali

Universal Ayurvedic Recommendations

Ayurveda gives a number of tips that will help keep allergies under control at any time:

• Eat light vegan food. This allows the digestive fire to recover.
• When the digestion is weak, it has difficulty digesting raw and cold foods. And poorly digested food forms toxins. Therefore give preference to warm cooked meals.
• Exclude dairy products from your diet. Dairy products from mucus and are cold and heavy for our bodies by their nature.
• When cooking, add more warming spices.

Practice yoga, follow Ayurvedic principles, monitor your condition, practice mindfulness, especially be mindful of your nutrition and breathing, and then the disease will gradually leave you!

Disclaimer

This ayurvedic guide was created for educational purposes only. It is strongly recommended that you consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any allergy treatment. The treatment protocol may change based on a person’s body constitution and medical history.

Aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds all living beings within the Universe. Each aura is unique and has its own colors and vibrations. By reading people’s auras you can tell a lot about their thoughts, habits, feelings, emotions, character, strengths, weaknesses, and even health. In this article, we want to introduce you to aura color meanings that may help you to understand yourself and others better and make your healing practice deeper and more effective.

How To See An Aura?

If you’re new to energy healing, you may not be able to see the color of your aura. In this case, you can book an appointment with an experienced and trustworthy psychic or healer.

Kirlian or other special cameras can also be used to photograph and view the aura.

There are many different methods and practices you can use to develop the skill of viewing auras. Of course, it takes time and regular practice but it’s definitely worth it! Meditation practice is one of the most effective ones. Also, you can do your own research on how to see auras.

What Does Your Aura Color Tell About You?

Aura colors reflect a person’s emotional mood and state of health. If you understand aura color meanings, you can learn about your hidden talents or even diagnose the disease. It can also give you an idea about the emotional and mental blocks you need to work on and the direction of your spiritual and personal development. By reading your aura you can tell a lot about your emotional state and healing progress.

Moreover, the aura also holds a multitude of information about our past, present, and future. Knowing the meanings of the color of your aura can help you dive deeper into the understanding of your karmic lessons and life challenges and find the right ways to learn and deal with them.

Now let us share with you our quick guide on the meanings of aura colors!

Aura Color Meanings

Red Aura

Red aura is a sign of highly developed leadership qualities. Such a person always takes responsibility for his actions and has great vitality. This is a brave and determined person.

Negative sides of an individual with a red aura: arrogance and irritability.

Such a person easily solves life’s problems if he directs his energy in the right direction.

Usually, people with red aura are mobile and active. Thanks to their charisma and charm, they attract and charm others. Such individuals become good speakers or politicians.

In romantic relationships, they are passionate and attractive. They always have a lot of admirers.

But it is worth considering that if red appears in the aura periodically, it may indicate acute diseases.

Red color also symbolizes irritation and anger.

Shades of red:

• Deep Red indicates a strong-willed, grounded, and realistic person.
• Muddy Red indicates anger.
• Clear Red indicates a powerful, sensual, passionate, energetic, and competitive person.
• Orange Red is a sign of confidence.

Pink Aura

Pink aura is a sign of a dreamy person who likes to make far-reaching plans. Such people are demanding, set big goals, but shows leniency to others.

People with pink auras are gentle and caring, but they do not forgive treason, lies, and betrayal. In any situation, they are ready to defend their point of view.

Negative traits are stubbornness and pride. Such people do not like to admit their mistakes and apologize. But with loved ones, such a person is always easy-going and soft.

In combination with the white color, pink aura indicates the purity of aspirations and thoughts, as well as spiritual closeness with God. But sometimes such individuals are too jealous and overbearing.

Shades of pink:

• Bright pink indicates a sensual, sensitive, and artistic person. It can also be a sign of affection, love, and compassion. Also, it can indicate clairaudience.
• Dark muddy pink is a sign of dishonesty, immaturity.

Orange Aura

Shades of orange symbolize cheerfulness and a positive mood. Such individuals are similar to people with a red aura but have a calmer character. They are always drawn to others, ready to help and listen, love to talk. These are vulnerable, sensitive people. Their mood changes dramatically.

The advantage of orange aura owners is their great vitality and stress resistance.

In personal relationships, people with orange aura are friendly and empathic, but sometimes they can isolate themselves from society.

Shades of orange:

• Bright orange aura indicates good health and vibrancy. Such a person is living life to its fullest. Also, it can be an indication of overcoming an addiction or a desire.
• Red-orange aura is a sign of great personal power and confidence.
• Orange-yellow aura indicates a person with a scientific mind and tendency of being a perfectionist. Such people enjoy detailed work and mentally challenging projects.
• Cloudy orange aura is a sign of arrogance and fussiness.

Yellow Aura

People with yellow aura are characterized by:

• optimism;
• benevolence;
• high activity;
• openness to others.

Such people are trusting and ready to help at any moment. But they often suffer from temptations. At a young age, they may have problems with alcohol or drug addictions.

This color is interpreted ambiguously. This is the aura color of spiritually developed people, but it can also be an indication of fraudsters.

Many spiritual mentors and gurus have yellow auras with a Golden hue.

Shades of yellow:

• Brilliant yellow aura can be a sign of spiritual awakening. Such people have a playful spirit.
• Dark yellow aura with tinges of brown often indicates students. Such people may feel pressured to achieve their goals and score high on tests.
• Lemon yellow aura indicates a person who has a fear of loss. This may be the loss of a job, divorce, a lifestyle change, loss of health, or the fear of losing control.
• Pale yellow or light yellow aura indicates a person who recently embarked on a spiritual journey, or discovered latent psychic abilities.

Green Aura

This color is associated with the forces of nature. If there are no extraneous shades or dirty impurities in the aura, a person has a highly developed compassion and love for the world. Sometimes such individuals have the gift of a healer. They become good doctors or diagnosticians.

In his personal life, such an individual is patient, responsive, and compassionate. But he is also a materialist who enjoys life.

They tend to protect weaker people. They can patronize and act as patrons.

Shades of green:

• Emerald green aura indicates a healer and a loving person.
• Yellow-green aura is a sign of communication, heartfelt, creative.
• Muddy forest green aura is a sign of jealousy, victim mentality, blaming others, insecurities, sensitivity to criticism, lacking personal responsibility.
• Dark green aura or cloudy green aura indicates a very jealous person who is also full of resentment. Such a person refuses to accept responsibility for his own actions and tends to blame others.
• Turquoise aura or greenish-blue aura meanings indicates a powerful healer. Such people help others discover their inner truths. Doctors, healers, and counselors usually have auras of this color.

Purple Aura

This aura color is typical for people with paranormal abilities. They are prone to mysticism, sometimes have the gift of clairvoyance.

These are independent people. They see the world in their own unique way. Such people are constantly in search for the highest truth. Their goals are big.

The purple aura color is characterized by sensitivity and responsibility.

Children with purple auras

Such children are very vulnerable and responsive. They have great creative abilities but adults should make sure that the child does not develop arrogance, big ego, and pride.

Black Aura

Such an aura indicates a person that is holding on to negative feelings. It is often a sign of an unwilling and unforgiving nature. This color can also indicate negative emotions or psychological trauma.

The black aura may also indicate the secretive nature of a person.

Other interpretations: past life problems, unreleased anger, grief, health problems.

Blue Aura

Aura of this color produces caring, loving, sensitive, and intuitive vibrations. People with blue aura like to help others.

Blue aura is common among introverts.

Blue aura indicates great willpower, a love of discipline, and prudence. People with such auras are usually serious and responsible but they also love fun.

Such people are usually happy with their lives. Sometimes they can be irrational.

In personal relationships, such people always remain faithful.

Shades of blue:

• Light blue aura indicates peacefulness, clarity, intuitve, truthfulness.
• Royal blue aura indicates clairvoyance, spirituality, generosity, openness to new opportunities.
• Muddy blue aura indicates the fear of expression, the future, and speaking the truth.

White Aura

White color symbolizes purity and sincerity of thoughts. This type of aura indicates the ability of extrasensory, magic, and spiritual teachings.

The white aura has strong protective properties and creates an energy field that blocks any negativity.

People with white auras easily attract positive energy.

White aura is an indicator of good health.

Character traits:

• caring;
• commitment to the development;
• empathy.

The white color of the aura is rare. A white aura can be found in highly spiritual people who’ve transcended the physical and are preparing to ascend. Religious history claims white auras were seen surrounding angelic beings. A white aura can also indicate souls that are very new to the incarnation cycle on earth, typically in a first lifetime.

Transparent Aura

People with transparent auras have a strong connection with Higher forces, can heal, and harmonize the space around them.

Negative qualities of transparent auras are changeability and inconsistency. This often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings with loved ones. Such people often need rest to recover and cleanse their energy.

Such people tend to live modestly and quietly, without causing harm to anyone. Usually, such people were born in loving and caring families.

Such people can read people’s minds and feel the energy.

Characteristics of the people with transparent auras:

• Sensitivity to the perception of the world. They respond emotionally to smells, colors, pain, or other people. Because of this, people with transparent aura are very vulnerable;
• The need for privacy. In a large group of people, they feel uncomfortable, so they need to be alone periodically;
• Deep connection with nature. They can communicate with nature spirits. It helps them to purify their energy.

People with transparent auras often feel the need of limiting their contact with the outside world.

These individuals are capable of unconditional love and can build deep relationships.

They are highly intuitive. Also, they are very insightful but not very talkative. Usually, they speak on demand, but always calmly and wisely.

Gold Aura

People with gold auras have strong leadership qualities. Thanks to their charisma and sincerity, they achieve success in the most daring endeavors. It is important for them to set high goals and work towards them.

A golden aura is usually common for managers who can motivate employees and are responsible for all work processes at once. Sometimes it can be an indication of people with creative abilities.

Gold auras are also common for technical professions, such as builders, engineers, or architects.

People with gold auras easily share their experiences with others.

A gold aura also pertains to divine protection and enlightenment. People with this aura color are encased in divine guidance and have wisdom, inner peace, intuition, and a spiritual way of thinking.

Silver Aura

An aura of silver color is the symbol of humanism and dreaminess. Usually, people with silver auras are very spiritual and have a good imagination.

Main character traits:

• a propensity to create;
• self-sacrifice;
• a large reserve of vital forces;
• selflessness;
• honesty and trustfulness;
• generosity;
• strong intuition;
• good imagination.

In everyday life, they rely on their feelings, not on logic. All their life choices are made in accordance to their intuition.

These people can forgive, but they don’t forget.

It is difficult for them to perform monotonous work, they perceive it as a punishment. Because of this, such people are not suitable for working in an office and following a strict schedule. They should choose a job related to travel and nature.

A lot of bright silver color in the aura may also indicate spiritual awakening.

Shades of silver:

• Bright metallic silver is a sign of a nurturing, intuitive person.
• Muddy gray indicates the accumulation of fear in the body. It can also be a sign of health problems (when seen in certain areas of the body).
• Dirty gray overlay is a sign of energy blocks of energy or skepticism.

Indigo Aura

Indigo is a mixture of purple and ultramarine. It symbolizes strong intuition and spiritual experience.

People with indigo auras are constantly in search of justice, they are revolutionaries and strong leaders.

They do not tolerate rudeness and attempts to submit to anyone. Freedom is extremely important for them.

At a younger age, they are difficult to learn, despite the great potential. This is due to the fact that Indigo look at the world differently and choose non-standard solutions.

Indigo aura is a sign of great strength of spirit and wisdom.

Most of all such people value trust and loyalty.

They are used to relying on their own experience, not listening to the advice of others.

In romantic relationships, Indigo people are loyal and gentle. Their partner should be a good friend and mentor. The best match for them are people with purple and white auras. Partners with red, yellow, and orange auras will not be able to relate to Indigo.

The Bottom Line

The ability to see an aura is a divine gift that you can develop if you are willing to give your time and energy to it. With the knowledge of aura color meanings, you will be able to obtain a greater understanding of yourself and others by giving a glimpse into hidden talents, thoughts, mental blocks, buried emotions, and long-forgotten memories. Once you apply aura color meanings to your healing process, you will be able to change things you previously didn’t recognize were holding you back.