Yogic-humming: A Respiratory Defense Booster for COVID Times

The traditional Indian healthcare system of Yoga contains a wealth of health-promotional practices-some of which are based on "humming." "Humming" is produced when a wordless sound is forced to exit through the nose while keeping the mouth either fully closed or nearly closed; it is a low, prolonged, and buzzing sound. In humming practices like "Bhramari pranayama" (normal inhalation followed by lengthened exhalation + bee-like humming), there is a full-mouth closure,1 and in practices like "OM chanting" (normal inhalation followed by lengthened exhalation +OM humming), there is a near-closure. Besides these, other mantra-oriented practices also generate a similar humming effect.