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 teacher with hoberman sphere during this exercise. Benefits of this breath include increased energy, awareness/clearer thinking, and calm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PcCmxEW5WA
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5lFwNwOgPI
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dg6DpXyICY
Take 5 Finger Tracing (First 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.
Take Five
Holding up one hand, lift one finger at a time counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 as you inhale. Pause. Exhale and count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 as you pull one finger at a time back in. Repeat 2-3 times. This breath is calming and relaxing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihf92iT5yOo
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIfW-3faVOU
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXjlR4mXxSk
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bX-GT5vkFM
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg8OdM0w91Y
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.
Bear Breath
Start in a mindful body. Bring out your bear paws and make some growls. Bring both hands out in front of you with fingers spread wide. Tuck your thumbs (bears) in and cover them with the rest of your fingers for hibernation. Place your hands on your thighs. Take a long breath in through your nose and then let it out. Take another long breath in through your nose and let it out again. Pay attention to how you feel in your bear cave. Take one more long breath in and then let it out. Slowly begin to open your fingers and letting the bears out of their cave.
Hot Soup
Imagine you are holding a cup of hot soup. It's much too hot to eat just yet. Take a deep breath in and say, "It's ha-ha-ha-ha-hot!", breath in again and say, "It's ha-ha-ha-ha-hot!". This time put your hand on your belly and see if you can feel it move when you say the words. Take a deep breath in and say "It's ha-ha-ha-ha-hot!". Put down your soup and take one long breath in and out.
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.