Balloon Breath
While sitting in a mindful body, place your hands on your belly. Imagine there is a balloon inside of your tummy. When you inhale, breathe all the way down into your belly, filling your balloon up with air. When you exhale, deflate your belly (balloon) by letting all of the air out of your belly to escape out through your nose. Repeat 3-5 times. Students watch the teacher a with hoberman sphere during this exercise. Benefits of this breath include increased energy, awareness/clearer thinking, and calm.
Box Breath
Inhale for the count of four, hold your breath for the count of four, breathe out slowly for the count of four, hold your breath again for the count of four. Repeat this several times until you feel calmer.
Bunny Breath
Inhale through the nose in 3 to 4 quick sniffs and then exhale out through the mouth in one long sigh/breath. Repeat 4 to 5 times. For fun with students, put up your "bunny paws in front of your body" and "grab a carrot for a little snack". Bunny breath helps to boost energy and promote clear thinking.
Candle Breath
Begin in a mindful body. Clasp your hands in front of you. Take your index fingers and point them up. You've got your candle on your birthday cupcake or birthday cake. Imagine there is a flame on top. Breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale through the mouth to blow it out. This is a great exercise for kindergarten students.
High 5 Finger Tracing (k-2 Grade)
1. Stretch your hand out like a star.
2. Get your pointer finger ready to trace your fingers up and down.
3. Slide up each finger slowly then slide down the other side.
4. Breathe in through your nose then out through your mouth.
5. Put it together and breathe in as you slide up and breathe out as you slide down. Notice how you feel at the end of finger tracing.
Lion's Breath
Come into a seated position in a mindful body. Picture yourself as a strong and fierce lion. Take a deep inhale through the nose. Exhale out through your mouth while sticking out your tongue towards your chin. This is a cleansing breath that is great for releasing excess energy or emotions.
Belly Breath
Place one hand over your heart and one hand over your belly. Slowly inhale and then slowly exhale, noticing our heart beat. Repeat 3-4 times.
Conductor Breath
Begin in Standing Mountain with your feet slightly wider than hip distance apart. Inhale through your nose slightly while bringing your arms up in front of you. Inhale a little more while swinging your arms out to your sides. Now, inhale all the way while you're swinging your arms all the way up over your head. Forcefully exhale, HA! while letting your arms and torso fall forward between your bent legs. Repeat 3-4 times.
Hot Chocolate Breath
Put your hands together like you are holding a cup of hot chocolate. Take a deep breath in and smell the cocoa and exhale blow on it. Repeat 3-4 times.
Snake Breath
Inhale slowly and deeply, filling up the belly. Breathe out very slowly, making a "Hissssss" sound for as long as possible. Repeat 3-6 times. Snake breath reduces tension, helps to focus and bring a state of calm.
Flower Breath
Stop and smell the flowers! Close your eyes and picture your favorite flower in your mind-its color, the shape and the smell. Breathe in very slowly and deeply to smell the fragrance of your flower. Exhale very slowly. Repeat 3-6 times. This breath is a slow and deep breath that is calming, nurturing, and cleansing.
Bee Breath
Students block ears with fingers, take an inhale and on exhale hum out as long as possible "Hmmmmmmmmmmmm." Bee breath with blocked ears helps to create an inward focus, helping to ground and center students.
Volcano Breath
Start in Mountain Pose. Inhale hands rise above your head, exhale (volcano erupts) and hands spread wide and fall to sides. Repeat.