Breathing Practices
Teacher's Guide: Breathing Practice with Students
Help students feel calm and focused with this step-by-step breathing practice.
1. Introduce the Practice
Explain to students:“Today, we’ll learn a simple breathing technique to help you feel calm and in control of your emotions. It’s a powerful tool you can use anytime.”
2. Set the Scene
Choose a quiet, comfortable space.
Dim lights or play soft music, if desired.
Have students sit tall, feet flat on the floor, and hands resting on their laps.
Encourage them to close their eyes or look down.
3. Teach Belly Breathing
Guide students:
Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
Inhale through your nose, feeling your belly rise like a balloon.
Exhale through your mouth, letting your belly fall.
Repeat a few times, focusing on slow, deep breaths.
4. Introduce a Breathing Technique
Choose a method and explain it:
Square Breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4.
Triangle Breathing: Inhale for 3 counts, hold for 3, exhale for 3.
Figure 8 Breathing: Trace a figure 8 shape with your breath, following its flow.
5. Practice Together
Guide students through the technique, encouraging them to focus on their breath.
Adjust the pace if needed, reminding them it’s okay to go at their own rhythm.
6. Reflect After the Practice
Ask students:
“How do you feel now? Calmer or more focused?”
“Where did you feel it in your body?”
“When do you think this could help—before a test or when feeling upset?”
Teacher's Guide: Breathing Practice with Students
Help students feel calm and focused with this step-by-step breathing practice.
1. Introduce the Practice
Explain to students:“Today, we’ll learn a simple breathing technique to help you feel calm and in control of your emotions. It’s a powerful tool you can use anytime.”
2. Set the Scene
Choose a quiet, comfortable space.
Dim lights or play soft music, if desired.
Have students sit tall, feet flat on the floor, and hands resting on their laps.
Encourage them to close their eyes or look down.
3. Teach Belly Breathing
Guide students:
Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
Inhale through your nose, feeling your belly rise like a balloon.
Exhale through your mouth, letting your belly fall.
Repeat a few times, focusing on slow, deep breaths.
4. Introduce a Breathing Technique
Choose a method and explain it:
Square Breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4.
Triangle Breathing: Inhale for 3 counts, hold for 3, exhale for 3.
Figure 8 Breathing: Trace a figure 8 shape with your breath, following its flow.
5. Practice Together
Guide students through the technique, encouraging them to focus on their breath.
Adjust the pace if needed, reminding them it’s okay to go at their own rhythm.
6. Reflect After the Practice
Ask students:
“How do you feel now? Calmer or more focused?”
“Where did you feel it in your body?”
“When do you think this could help—before a test or when feeling upset?”
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Other Resources
Purchase Our Complete Breath Card Deck
This deck features a variety of breathing exercises, each designed to help students regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and improve focus. It’s a valuable tool for educators and parents looking to incorporate mindful breathing techniques into their practices.
Click here to purchase the Breath Card Deck
Subscribe to Monthly Access to Our Resource Center
For just $12.00 per month, you can access our printable breath deck and a variety of other educational tools designed to support emotional learning, mindfulness, and relaxation in the classroom.
Subscribe here for monthly access
Other Programming for Your Classroom or School
If you're looking for additional resources or programs tailored to your school’s needs, feel free to contact us for more information. We offer various mindfulness programs and tools to integrate into your classroom environment.
Contact us for more details at jordan@challengetochangeinc.com or visit www.challengetochangeinc.com.
Train with Us to Become a Certified Kids Yoga Teacher
If you're passionate about helping children learn mindfulness and yoga, consider training with us to become a certified Kids Yoga Teacher. This program equips you with the tools and knowledge to teach yoga and mindfulness in classrooms, helping children build emotional resilience and focus.
Learn more about becoming a certified Kids Yoga Teacher
For more information about our yoga and mindfulness teacher training programs, contact us at molly@challengetochangeinc.com.
