Humming as you exhale creates a soft vibration that helps activate the vagus nerve and signals to the body that it is safe to relax.
The vagus nerve begins at the base of your brain and travels down through your throat all the way to your gut.
That's why a simple hum can help shift your body into a parasympathetic state of rest and digest.
As you hum,
Invite your body and mind to tune into the vibration and release any internal noise and distraction.
In this practice,
You'll inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of six using a technique called Brahmari or humming bee breath.
You'll inhale through your nose,
Then exhale with your lips closed,
Making the sound mm.
It'll sound like a soft humming sound,
Like the hum of a bee.
You could save this practice and come back to it anytime.
Begin by resting your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth.
Relax your face,
Your neck and your shoulders.
Find a softness across your chest and belly.
Let's first take two breaths together.
Breathe in through your nose.
Release through your mouth.
Inhale,
Feel your body open.
Exhale,
Let your body ground.
Before we start counting,
Notice your natural breath,
Just as it is.
Let go of anything outside of you grasping for your attention and turn your focus inward.
Notice the sound of your breath moving in and out.
Notice any subtle movements or sensations.
Now at the end of your next inhale,
Pause,
Keep your lips gently closed,
Your teeth slightly apart,
Exhale and hum.
Inhale again.
Pause at the top.
Soft hum as you exhale.
See if you can feel the vibration.
Now let's breathe to my count.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Pause.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Inhale,
2,
3,
4,
Pause.
Exhale,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Pause.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Pause.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Inhale.
Pause.
Exhale.
Pause.
Now on your own.
Keep the hum soft and steady.
It doesn't need to be loud.
If six feels like too much,
Come down to five or four.
A comfortable hum matters more than the count.
Feel the vibration moving through your face and head and let it soften everything it touches.
If you lose count,
Begin again when you hear the next round.
Let your jaw release and your tongue rest gently in your mouth.
Three more rounds.
Two more.
One more.
Now let go of the technique and come back to your natural breath.
Let your body breathe at its own pace.
Notice the quiet.
Notice any sensations.
Take a moment to check in and see how you feel.
Let's close with a breath together.
Breathe in through the nose.
Breathe out through the mouth.
Thank you for practicing with me.