Breathing plays a big part in children’s yoga classes. Breathing in its simplest form using a prop like below can be a key point to explaining breath. There are lots of different ways to breathe and they can be explored over sessions. Deep breathing can allow purifying and cleansing of the body and mind as well as improving concentration, instilling endurance and helping us feel calm and centred. Circulation is increased, hormones are balanced, organs are regenerated, and the nervous system pacified. In yoga breathing allows our body and mind to see the links between breathing and movement, making breathing just as important as the poses. As implied by the literal translation of Pranayama, ‘life force extension’, yoga followers believe that it rejuvenates the body and actually extends life.

Feathers

Feathers are a lovely way on introducing breathing, watching the magic of movement as you blow and encourage them to blow too.  Placing the feather onto the palm of your hand use exaggerated blowing movements to blow it away. 

Pompom balls

Same as above using small pom pom balls. 

Scarves 

Scarves are a great way to demonstrate breathing.  Using a scarf, fold it so you are using only half of it, holding each end with your hands and gently blow onto the material so they can see it fluttering and moving.  

Bunny Breath

Sit on your shins with your back straight and shoulders back and chest lifted. Keeping your chin down, take three big sniffs straight after each other. Then exhale in a long release as though you are sighing out through the nostrils. Repeat 5 to 7 times. This is a cleansing breath to keep you awake and alert like a bunny! 

Elephant Breath 

Standing with your feet wide apart. Link your hands and dangle your arms in front of you like an elephant trunk. Inhale through your nose as you raise your arms high above your head and lean back. Exhale through your mouth as you swing your arms down through your legs. Repeat for three rounds. On the next round, stay up, arch your back and open your arms to the side bringing them down to ‘shower yourself’. 

Bear Breath

Sitting up tall, close your eyes. Through your nose, breathe in for a count of five and hold for a count of three. Breathe out for a count of five and hold for a count of three. Repeat 5 to 7 times. Open your eyes and you should feel peaceful. 

Snake Breath

Sit up tall. Take a deep breath in, filling up your whole body. Pause and breathe out slowly and smoothly, making a hissing sound for as long as you can. Repeat 3 to 5 times feeling yourself becoming calmer each time. This is a very calming and relaxing breath. 

Alternate Nostril Breathing 

Balances the energy on both sides of the brain. With the left hand in your lap, place the thumb of the right hand on the right nostril and breathe in through the left counting to 3. Swap hands to cover the left nostril and exhale through the right. Then breathe in through the right nostril, again counting to 3 and swap hands to exhale through the left. This is one complete breath. Repeat three times. 

Holding the Breath

Calming and focusing. Breathe in through the nose and count 1 and exhale. Repeat counting to 2, then 3 and so on increasing the time between the inhale and exhale until a count of 10. 

Piston Breath 

Relaxing and calming the mind. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale in short bursts, making a sound like a steam train. This can be done using the move from ‘All Aboard’ inhaling and then bum scooting across the floor.

Ha Breath

Invigorating and strengthens abdominals. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale strongly through the mouth whilst making a long Ha sound. 

Sitali Breath 

Cooling. Inhale opening the mouth to form an O, rolling the tongue and bringing it forward in front of the teeth.. Breath in through the mouth and put through the nose.