Breathing exercises are great tools you can teach your child to use throughout the day. Some breathing exercises, such as Balloon Breath, promote relaxation. Others, such as Sun Breath, can help wake up the body and energize their mind.
Breathing Basics
The most important partof any breathing exercise is to be comfortable. Most of the breathing exercises can be done sitting, lying down in Relaxation Pose, or standing in Mountain Pose. Ifyou are sitting for a breathing exercise, you can usea chair or sit on a pillow or folded blanket on the ground.Each breathing exercise has detailed notes onthe best position.
Unless the directions say otherwise, try to breathe in and out through your nose. This allows you to breathe deeper into your belly and chest. It takes regular practice to learn how to breathe through your nose. If it doesn’t feel comfortable then breathe through your mouth. Don’t worry – it will get easier over time. A few other tips:
IN=inhale (breathing in) EX=exhale (breathing out)
- Keep your back as tall as possible
- Let your shoulders be relaxed
- Do a breathing practice at the beginning or end of the yoga practice
- Try to do one breathing practice each day
Word of Caution
Stop any breathing exercise if you feel uncomfortable, dizzy, light-headed, or if it feels hard to breathe.
Balloon Breath
It is a relaxing practice.
- Sit in any comfortable position or lie down in Relaxation pose
- Close your eyes or lower your gaze
- Inhale feel your belly press into your hands and your chest expand
- Exhale feel your belly relax and drop away from your hands
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 a few times
- After you finish, take a few breaths at your own pace through your nose at a slow, comfortable pace.
Sun Breath
It is an energizing practice.
- Stand in Mountain Pose with your feet hip width apart or sit in a chair.
- Inhale through your nose and reach your arms high upto the sky
- Exhale out your mouth and say “HA!” while you bring your hands back down.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 a few times.
- After you finish, take a few breaths at your own pace.
There are many more forms of breathing techniques like bee breathing, peace breathing, flying bird breathing, lotus flower breathing you can teach your kid which can help healing & promote calmness.