How did you feel when you woke up today? Some days, I feel fully energized and clear-headed. Today, my body felt sluggish and my mind was foggy, even after sleeping pretty well.

No matter how you wake up, what you choose to do to actually wake up, to give yourself energy, sets the course for the day.

The best energy comes from within, from our breath. Pranayama, the fourth limb of yoga, is the control of our breath to channel prana, of life force energy, through our bodies, benefiting our physical, energetic and mental health.

My favorite breath technique is bhramari (bumblebee) breath. This breath increases circulation and endurance, reduces congestion, sharpens concentration and memory, eases stress and anger, and supports the immune system.

(Note: Best to avoid if you experience extremely high blood pressure, epilepsy or chest pain.)

Bhramari also gently warms up your voice, which we could all use first-thing in the morning!

Ready to give bhramari breath a try?

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1. Find a comfortable seated position with a tall spine.

2. Seal your lips and relax your jaw. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, behind your front teeth.

3. Breathe in slowly and fully through your nose on a count of 4-3-2-1.

4. Breathe out through your nose and hum like a bee at whatever pitch feels comfortable and natural to your voice, keeping your tongue on the top of your mouth. Continue until all the air is exhaled.

5. Repeat 4-5 more times. Try to lengthen your inhales and exhales each time.

6. Resume your normal breath and notice what you feel. You just created powerful energetic vibrations that are coursing all throughout your body.

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If you tried bhramari, let me know what you thought, plus any other breath techniques you'd like me to spotlight in the future!

Have a great day and start to this week, with lots of internal energy.