Relaxations can be carried out with children supine with arms at their sides, palms facing up. This is the best way as there are less distractions, the body can relax more easily and it is easier to relax each body part into the mat. This can be very challenging for some children, and some encouragement may be needed. You may choose to play some relaxing calming music.

Visualisation – Body Parts

Closing eyes, staying as still as possible. Relaxing each body part starting from the toes, ankles, lower legs, knees, upper legs, hips, bums, bellies, ribs, shoulders, upper arms, elbows, lower arms, wrists, hands, fingers. Each part is going to sleep. Pause. Then relax the head, front and back, neack and down backs. Another pause, then all the parts of the face from the forehead to chin. Shift the focus back to the breath. Focus on what makes them happy / what they are grateful for. When you are ready come out of the relaxation, ask them to wiggle their fingers and toes, then hands and feet. Have abig stretch and one last deep breath in and out. Open eyes.

Alternatively, focus on the breath and count the breaths in and out increasing the number each time to slow the breath down.

For older children, ask them to imagine walking along a beach. Then sit and write down their worries on a piece of paper, what would they write? Fold the piece of paper into a boat and place it in the water. They watch is bob on the gentle waves and then float away. Listen to the sea and go back to breath focus.

This can also be adapted to the theme of the class, so for example, swimming under the sea, going into space, flying on a magic carpet, walking in a meadow and watching the flowers blow in the breeze, feeling the sun on their face and imagine what they can see.