Mindful Breathing for Kids: Sun Breath
The Sun gives us energy. Using Sun Breath as a tool to practice mindful breathing for kids can help you feel more energized and get you ready for your day. You can practice sun breath in the morning when you wake up , or any time you need a pick-me up throughout your day. Practice this mindful breathing for kids inside or outside, in a ray of sunshine indoors or outside on a warm sunny day. Try out Sun Breath!
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing exercises are designed to support self-regulation, mindfulness and brain break needs.
Many times, kids can struggle at home and school with anger or frustration and they lack the coping strategies needed in those situations. They require tools to improve self-regulation. This can occur both at school and home.
Children, like adults, experience worry and anxiety, fears and can be nervous in life situations and having simple strategies on hand can help them cope during the day.
One way to do this is to use mindfulness strategies like deep breathing exercises.
Children who practice mindfulness will find it much easier to focus and actively engage in the classroom. Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises can be very powerful for kids as they grow and navigate the world we live in. Students in the classroom who use mindfulness will bring a sense of collective calm to the space as well making the learning environment more favorable for everyone. Incorporating mindfulness can be fun !
This is where this mindful breathing exercise for kids comes in. Sun Breath is a great breath to get energized and feel the warmth of the sun.
Mindful Breathing: Sun Breath
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
Location: A Quiet Place
How To:
- Find a comfortable sitting position. You could be sitting in a ray of sunshine inside or outside. You could also practice this breath from a standing position.
- Close your eyes. Imagine the sun in the sky.
- Take a deep breath in as you raise your arms up and then to heart center as you breathe out.
- Take another deep breath in as you raise your arms towards the sun, leaning back slightly. Imagine the rays and warmth of the sun filling you with sunshine. Breathe in the energy of the sun and let in all its warmth.
- On your deep breath out, bring your hands to the heart center and feel the rays of sunshine bathe you.
- Combine your movement and breath so that one full in-breath brings your arms all the way up and one complete out-breath brings your arms all the way down.
- With each breath, focus on filling and emptying your lungs completely.
- Take another deep breath in as you lift your arms up and lean back, letting in those warm rays of the sun, warming you up from inside out. As you breathe out imagine those rays surrounding you with sunshine.
- When you’re ready you can open our eyes. Try to remember this feeling of you feeling peaceful, happy and safe.
Ways to Use:
- Use the Poster as a Printable and hang it in the classroom, therapy room or at home.
- Use the deep breathing exercises as a brain break as needed to bring in some breathwork to your classroom or therapy sessions.
- Try this breath while outside on a Mindful Walk. Pause and take a few deep sun breaths!
Let me know if you tried this breath and if your kids enjoyed it!
Try some of my simple meditations for kids
