Week 2: Breath Awareness

This week, the children will deepen their awareness of their breath and how they breathe. This technique can help children feel calmer, more present and less distracted.  It can bring their awareness to how unique their breath pattern is - and in turn they will realise how unique they are too.

For teachers, and slightly older children in school, you may like to know that Stuart Sandeman is a breath coach, and a DJ for BBC Radio 1. He has recorded a series for the Decompression Sessions on BBC Sounds, which a compilation of relaxing music with a focus on...the breath! We hope you find time to tune in.

Benefits of the practice

• Brings you into the present moment
• Deepens awareness of the breath
• Encourages a slower pace to the breath
• Encourages nasal breathing

Habit Anchors  (when to practice)

• Beginning of the day
• Before tests/exams
• After lunch to create a calm environment

Tweak the Technique

 (inspiration to keep up a practice throughout the week)

Tuesday: Ask the children to place their hands on their lower belly and the soles of the feet on the floor and see if they can place all their focus on the soles of the feet while they take 5 - 10 belly breaths through the nose. This will help them feel grounded and present.

Wednesday: Can the children open their eyes as they inhale and close the eyes as they exhale. Keep the hands placed on the belly. Encourage the breath to take a slower pace. Breathe in. Open the Eyes. Breathe Out. Close the Eyes. N.b some children find closing the eyes uncomfortable so you can ask these children to look up as they inhale and look down as they exhale.

Thursday: Place one hand on your lower back and one hand on their belly. Take 5 - 10 nasal breaths and notice the back of the body move as well as the front. This can encourage a deep belly breath.

Friday: Can the children take 5 - 10 breaths while running through the week's routine:

• noticing where their breath moves in their body for 5 breaths
• concentrating only on the soles of their feet for 5 breaths
• opening and closing their eyes (or looking up and down) as they inhale and exhale for 5 breaths
• placing one hand on their lower back, one hand on their bellies for 5 breaths