Do you know what really annoys me about kids breathing practices being shared??

I shared about this yesterday on​ Instagram ​ , but it’s SUPER ANNOYING so there is more to be said 😂

I’ve spent an obsessively long time studying the breath – understanding it physically like the anatomy of the breath, the autonomic nervous system and how breath can be used as a regulatory tool and looking at breaths’ connection to our emotions and more subtle energy. I’ve looked at posture, movement, the function of neurotransmitters, lunar and solar energy and more….

And so when someone says to stop a child having meltdowns and struggling with their big emotions just…..

“Smell the flowers and blow out the candles”

And then parents try this during a meltdown and it doesn’t work!! Unsuprisingly! And so they come to a conclusion that breathing practices just don’t work for their child.

It can be super annoying because there was no context given, they’ve practiced at the most logical time – when they need it the most and it hasn’t worked!

Now I love this breathing practice with the kids but let me tell you why….

It’s not about the breathing practice itself, it’s about the breathing practices role in the bigger picture.

This is just a way to help a child to connect with their breath in a playful and imaginative way. So they can start building an awareness of it, noticing it and learning how to use it as a regulatory tool.

But this only works if:

1. We practice it at a calmer time when it can be playful and fun. There is no pressure because this is not a heated moment.
2. It’s age appropriate – if the big kids find this too silly, they won’t be interested. Remember the point was to help them build a connection with their breath and so we want it to be something they can engage with.

And when we can practice this connection, awareness and learning how to use the breath – that is when it starts being useful in the tougher moments too.

Diving Deeper

I go much deeper into this inside the first module of The Family Yoga Club – Yoga and Regulation and then even further still in Anxiety and the breath, the recording and guidebook are inside the club but the main take away is this –

There are ZERO breathing practices for kids that are a quick fix for helping them to manage big emotions.

There is only practice. Building this connection, deepening self-awareness, learning how to tune in and notice that connection between breath and emotion and how the breath changes and can be changed.

So yes, I share lots of fun breathing practices for children but NEVER as a quick fix. This is a practice. This takes repetition and consistency.

And that’s what I want my work with families to be about.

It’s not as catchy as “Stop the meltdowns in 30 days” or as glamorous as “This one practice will change your life”….

It takes time, it requires patience, it means showing up day after day and practicing….

And when we have a million shiny things distracting our attention…. that can be challenging….

But I promise you, it is worth it.

Follow me over on ​Instagram ​for more tips and guidance or jump into ​The Family Yoga Club ​to dive deeper.